2020 has been a year of huge change for the world as a whole. Unfortunately, much of this change has been relatively negative. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has turned many of our worlds upside down and many of us are struggling to keep things smooth and comfortable for our families. Whether that’s due to health concerns, job loss, financial concerns or any of the other havoc that this pandemic has wrought, many of us are feeling the squeeze.
With all of this going on it means that we should actively put more effort into improving our lives for the sake of our children and their future. There are a number of changes that you can make to lead to a more positive future for your whole family, but one potential option that many of us are currently considering is moving home. The pandemic has resulted in many lockdown situations, which have given many of us thinking time sufficient to decide that we’d like to move somewhere new. Perhaps spending extra time in your home has made you reconsider whether it’s right for you and your little ones or do you need to look for a new home?
As we have made this decision to move, we are sharing a few steps you can take to make sure that your move is well thought out and will go as smoothly as possible if you do go ahead with it!
Choosing a new home that is the best place for family to live!
Asking Yourself Key Questions
Before taking any active steps towards a home move, you need to ask yourself a host of questions. Here are a few to start out with.
Why do you want to move?
First, question why you’re planning on moving. Is it due to situations that might resolve themselves once the pandemic is under control? Are you going to want to move back to where you are now if a vaccine is successful? If this is the reason, you may want to wait things out a bit. A vaccine is on the horizon and you don’t want to waste money or disrupt your kids by jumping between houses. If you want to move because you’ve realised you want to move closer to family, you want to move closer to schools or work, or other reasons, you may want to continue.
Where do you want to live?
Next, you need to consider where you want to live. Will it be in this country? Will it be overseas? Will it be a city? Will it be in the countryside? Will it be near the seaside? There are countless locations that you can move to, so think through all of the options available to you before jumping into house hunting headfirst. Once you’ve chosen a location, make sure that it falls within your budget. Some areas are highly desirable and consequently have a high price tag attached. If your location falls within your budget, great! If not, you might want to reconsider and search elsewhere.
What size property are you looking for?
Next, consider how big your home needs to be. You don’t want to move, only to have another child or take on more pets and need to move again. Think of your general lifeplan. Accommodate any little ones or pets you might want to factor into your new home in the future. It’s much easier to have a home that’s slightly too big for a while, than to have a home that’s just right but that you’ll grow out of in a few years.
Questions Specific to an Overseas Move
If you’re considering an overseas move, you need to ask yourself a few extra questions. Why? Well, because overseas moves can be more expensive, can upheave your children more and can take a lot more work. You need to make sure that you’re certain the move is for you before going ahead. Here are some questions to consider.
What Does This Country Offer?
Whether you’re considering a move to Europe or a regalia residence, you need to consider – why are you considering such a big move? This isn’t generally a move that’s recommended for the sheer fun of it if there are kids involved. Instead, there needs to be something in this country that is worth upheaving your kids for. So, what is the benefit? Will you be able to earn more money? Will your kids get a better education? Is there better healthcare? What exactly is it that makes this move worth it? Weigh up the pros and cons and make sure that you’re putting your kids first in every single decision that you make in regards to a move overseas.
Will There Be Language Barriers?
A move to a country that speaks a language you and your family already speak is going to be much easier than a move to a country that speaks a language you don’t understand. Of course, little children are likely to adapt much more easily than older children who may struggle. If you’re planning a move to a country with a different language and taking older children, you should give them language lessons and ensure they understand the language well before you move. This can reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation and sadness.
As you can see, a move could be fun, beneficial and overall positive for you and your family. You just have to make sure that it’s the right decision for everyone involved. You don’t want to shift your family from one place to another for no reason, or to simply find disappointment at the other side. Remember, the grass isn’t always greener. It could be, and if you feel that it will be, go for it! But if this move is on a whim, you may want to reconsider and maybe save it until later down the line when your little ones are grown up and can make their own decisions as to where they want to live. Hopefully, some of the above advice will help you to make the best decision all round!
