ON THE MOVE

WORDS BY HAL MORRIS

These days, the desire to relocate is not just a decision made by those of retirement age looking to warm their twilight years. It now increasingly applies to young families—often with a small business in tow— that are looking to improve their lives from the beginning. A range of factors, from improved weather conditions to a healthier business community, has seen over 22 million people relocate to other states in the last five years. But before you decide to follow the flock, it’s a good idea to take some time to plan your move.

When you’re beginning a search it’s well worth remembering most city brochures employ copywriters who, armed with the right adjectives, can transform a wind-whipped Alcatraz Island off a foggy San Francisco Bay into a tropical paradise with balmy sea breezes—so don’t let your decision be swayed by glossy images and glowing reports. Nature Friendly Tools (www.naturefriendlytools.org) is an honest guide to naturally beautiful areas, and Best Places (www.bestplaces.net) has good information on everything from climate to cultural comparisons.

You should also be mindful of the possible financial implications of the move, such as higher taxes and increased costs of doing business in a new location. Home prices and office space may tower above the national average, schools may be caught in a budget squeeze and auto, home and health insurance may rise.

A good place to start is Counties USA. Covering more than 3,100 counties, this bumper directory provides information on population, average income, unemployment statistics, home values and commute times. Another essential publication is the Moving and Relocation Directory 2005-2006, which details important statistical and demographic information for 121 major US cities, as well as smaller popular relocation destinations.

It includes useful facts about the major industries and employers, education, hospitals, transportation, media and events.

Once you have decided on your destination, it’s time to look for properties. To keep up-to-date with a rapidly changing property market, look at information on the Web, contact real estate people and scan newspaper ads for the most current prices. When you are searching for a family residence, inquire whether membership in a homeowner’s association is required and find out the cost of monthly fees.

If you are relocating with your business, it is helpful to speak to an economic development agency and a chamber of commerce. Most chamber of commerce websites now contain information on relocating businesses, so make a note of all the regulations and required permits and licenses before you begin, as this could help you avoid problems later.

Now that you know the facts of the city and have an eye on a potential base, it’s time for the essential checklist. First, it is important to determine how you will be affected by state income and corporate, sales, estate and fuel taxes. For example: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax, and New Hampshire and Tennessee only tax dividend and interest incomes. Retirement Living (www.retirementliving.com) gives information on state taxing.

Second, make sure to inquire about residential and business utility rates, along with hook up fees and surcharges. Also, find out about municipal and county taxes, including property levies plus fees for trash pickups, sewer maintenance, street lighting and flood control.

For 75% of Americans, being closer to work is a major reason for their move, so work out the commute time from your prospective home. Remember that vehicle insurance fees can vary widely, even among zip codes in the same community—it’s wise to cross-reference policies. More importantly, the same can be true for house insurance and health coverage costs.

Keeping your existing employees happy is paramount if they are relocating with the business, but make sure there is also a large pool of talented and experienced workers to be tapped in your destination. If your spouse and other family members will be seeking work, check out the general employment conditions and outlook to see whether layoffs or hirings prevail. Unless it’s a company transfer with promised paycheck continuity, compensation —even for similar jobs—may differ because of pay based on geographic differences.

The same kind of research is needed if you have children changing schools or colleges. Look at how the schools rank and the caliber of teaching coupled with the available facilities.

If needed, get a reading on day-care costs, and explore the local colleges, including extension courses, if you are considering further education for yourself or your children.

Once you’ve checked out the facts and statistics, viewed properties and worked out the financial implications, it’s time to get a real feeling for the area. So grab a local paper to get a good idea of local prices and happenings, then have a walk around. Ultimately, it is down to your gut instinct. Remember that you are moving in search of a better life, so make sure your surroundings reinforce that.