Thoughts on Moving to a City (Plus Pros and Cons)

As I write this, I’m still trying to figure out a timeline for when I can move from my current home. Everything moving related is still up in the air due to delays beyond my control. In order to keep myself motivated and optimistic, I’m focusing on where I would like to live and why. One of the areas I am strongly considering moving to is in a city.

There are many reasons why I’d like to move to a city, but it mostly deals with my job. I know I will need to be able to travel to a metropolitan area for work. Even though living in an area where I can commute to work sounds nice, I wondered if I would like a change. I never fully lived in a city before, so I thought maybe that may be something I’d like to do.

The issue is what city will I be moving to? Being in Arizona, living in the downtown district of Phoenix is not something that appeals to me in any way, shape, or form. The streets are confusing. There isn’t enough park space between buildings. And I don’t like other social problems that are prevalent in the area, such as homelessness. If I were to move to a city, I would not pick Phoenix.

Other cities I don’t want to live in are New York City and Los Angels County. New York City is too crowded and impractical for my lifestyle. There will be plenty to do there and I could adapt to living in an apartment, but when it comes to living there for more than two years, I don’t see myself enjoying it much. As for Los Angels County, it is just too… well… it’s not the kind of lifestyle I’m looking for.

Actually, living in a heavily populated city is not the kind of lifestyle I know I will enjoy at all. I like having a back yard, or enough space to walk around in without knowing the whole entire city is also using that spot as well. I enjoy my own privacy, which will be an issue if I live in a crowded city. I also know that I would like to own my own house, not rent an apartment. Homeownership is something I always wanted, so to achieve that goal is more important than experiencing a new area or new way of life.

This is why I’m seriously considering moving to areas that have a city, but is small or less built up like the metropolitan cities and city areas I already talked about. I want to live somewhere where I can have a chance to move to and live in an apartment, but then move into a house later on. That way I can see if living in the area is something I actually would like to do for a short amount of time or for a long time. 

The most frustrating part about my ideas is that, as I write this, I am unable to do anything about them except research. After doing research for years, I can honestly say I talked myself out of moving so many times it is embarrassing. Doing research about an area you are not familiar with, except, in my case, as a tourist, is never fun. Yet, the information around moving to cities don’t always tell me what I want to know about them. Important information such as:

• What is the income tax rate? And no, saying it is “expensive” doesn’t help me. At all.
• Is it the law to belong to HOAs (Home owner association) or similar groups I need to belong to if I rent an apartment?
• What are my rights as a renter in the state/city?
• Will there be a tax for certain types of vehicles that only that city requires? (Such as electric, hybrid, and/or gas powered vehicles)

Even though these are all questions I can find out on my own, the basic pros and cons websites I found for moving to certain cities (And cities in general) are not as helpful as I would like them to be. That, coupled with other questions I have about certain cities, is the main reason why I hesitate so much in moving to a city. Living in the country or on the outskirts of certain cities are fathoms more familiar to me. 

Moving anywhere is a risk, but moving to an unfamiliar place with a lifestyle so different than your own is scary. I don’t want to make a mistake that will cost me time and money. And that’s why I’m not very sure about moving to a city.

Well, that’s all for now! Thank you for reading!