(A big “thank you” to our friends at porch.com for sponsoring this post!)

Moving is stressful at best (we don’t need to remind you about the countless reports that have been commissioned on that). However, when you are relocating to a completely new area, you have even more factors to fuel anxiety.

Even with help from pros like those at Den moving companies, there are a lot thing you need to sort out before committing to a big move.

Research, A Lot

First, you need to invest some serious time into conducting the right type of research. That includes making getting information from non-biased sources or people who know the area but don’t have a vested interest in having you move there. This might mean speaking to several real estate branches in various areas. You can also look into statistics about areas you are considering. Learning about things like the median price and sized of homes, average commute times, access to goods and services, and crime statistics can provide a big overview of an area.

Are there any warning signs?

Once you think you have found your area of choice, continue to scrutinize it. After all, a mistake at this point could be costly and keep you from enjoying life in a new city.

Are there an unusually high proportion of people interested in moving away?  Does it look like a place where you would feel comfortable living? Do you want to live in an area with meticulously groomed landscaping? Or are you more interested in finding a neighborhood where people are playing outside with their kids? If the neighborhood doesn’t “feel” right when you actually visit it, it’s probably worth reconsidering whether you’re willing to making a short commitment to rent—or a long term investment if you plan to buy a home.

What will the area offer you?

Of course, you can live in the “best” neighborhood in the land, but that doesn’t mean to say that it is suitable for your needs. If you are the young and trendy type, there’s every chance that you will want bars, coffee shops and the like on your doorstep. Or you might also want to focus on finding an established neighborhood with mature trees.

If you’re considering an upscale neighborhood that will likely stretch your budget a bit, also consider other costs you may incur as a result of relocating to that area. Will the property be expensive to maintain in a manner that will meet community standards? When you compare yourself to your neighbors, will you feel pressure to purchase more expensive cars and furniture?

If you have children who will attend nearby public or private schools, try to learn something about the school culture. Will you feel comfortable having your kids in that environment? Even if you’ve selected what’s commonly considered a “good” neighborhood, you need to make sure it will really be the perfect place for your unique family.

How does it impact your work life?

Finally, you don’t want to base your choice of location only on the proximity to work. However, you do need to make sure the commute will allow you to still have a good quality of life. In some cities, even a five-mile commute can take hours to complete. That means you distance isn’t the most important factor. Use a software, such as Google maps, to see how long the driving time is estimated to take during the times you will most likely be traveling to and from work.