The age-old question of where should I live has perplexed countless individuals seeking to establish their roots and create a sense of belonging for decades. According to keysearch.co, the phrase “Where should I live?” is googled a staggering 8100 times a month. Which indicates the significance of this decision in people’s lives. However, we here at choosewheretolive.com, we think Where Should I live is the WRONG question to be asking.  In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of researching and finding YOUR ideal place. The one that aligns with YOUR preferences, needs, and aspirations.

Instead of focusing on where should I live, you should be directing your search towards understanding what you truly desire out of a place to live. Feel free to check out my How to Decide Where to Live Series Part 3 if you don’t know what those are just yet.

If you’re anything like me, you could spend days researching new and “off the beaten path” cities and towns to live in. Sometimes the possibility of what could be is more exciting than what is. Imagine living in cities with real estate reminiscent of the magical world of Harry Potter. Or exploring lesser-known small towns with unique charm and opportunities. Maybe you want the best public transportation that the United States has to offer. Is it price you’re after? There are many national and local programs that help with cost of living. You can even buy a small island if that’s your thing. 

Sure, we all know the big names like New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc. But what about Harper’s Ferry, WV or Highlands, NC? Ever thought about moving to a capital city close to a beach?  The world is full of fascinating places and there are so many options out there. Why not take in as much information as possible before settling on the mainstream places? 

Exploration with Where should I live Parameters 

The first step is to indulge your curiosity. Spend some time researching and discovering new and off-the-beaten-path cities and towns. Gather as much information as you can, and don’t rush into decisions. Allow yourself to dream and consider what kind of lifestyle you want to lead.

I call this the discovery phase. The point is to expose yourself to places you may have never discovered had you just typed Where Should I live into Google.  Your search should be based on the parameters that you set when you established your life goals. And Top5 Location Must Haves in parts 2 and part 3 of this series. Just like the excitement of taking the Potter House Quiz where the Sorting Hat determines your Harry Potter house, exploring new places can be an adventure of self-discovery.

Set a Time Limit for Research

While research is essential, it’s easy to get caught in the analysis paralysis phase. To prevent this, set a time limit for your research phase. Spend some time reading articles, bookmarking web pages, and creating a list of places that intrigue you. But don’t get stuck here. Limit yourself to one hour a day. By imposing a time constraint, you’ll be motivated to gather essential information efficiently without getting overwhelmed.

Be Curious About Your Current Location

As I covered in part 1, don’t forget to examine your current location with fresh eyes. Research how others view the place you currently live in and what they appreciate about it. This exercise can provide valuable insights into your preferences and help you identify the aspects you enjoy most. Understanding your present location’s strengths and weaknesses will also give you a reference point for comparison. This will help as you explore potential new places and seek to answer the question Where should I Live.

Resources for Where Should I Live Research

The internet is a treasure trove of resources to aid your research. Several websites offer valuable information about cities and towns worldwide.  Recognize that opinions on the internet vary widely, and it’s essential to take them with a grain of salt. Some of the best resources include:

a) Livability.com: This website provides helpful articles on various US cities and states. You can explore topics like quality of life, cost of living, job opportunities, education, and recreational activities, among others. Livability’s list of the Top 100 places to live can serve as a starting point for your research. But remember it should ONLY serve as that, a starting point. Read this before you dive into these lists. These sites try to genetically answer the Where Should I Live question. You need a personal approach.

b) HomeSnacks.com: HomeSnacks offers a list of the best places to live in the US based on criteria such as housing, safety, education, amenities, commute, jobs, and affordability. Their data-driven approach provides an objective assessment of potential locations.

c) Teleport.org: Teleport has a tool that generates a list of potential places to live based on your preferences and search criteria. While not perfect. This tool can serve as a helpful starting point to explore cities that align with your key priorities.

d)Quizzes: Personality-based quizzes have gained popularity as a fun and informative way to answer your where should I live question. Websites like Buzzfeed offer interactive quizzes. These quizzes evaluate your preferences, lifestyle, and personality traits to recommend cities or countries that align with your unique qualities. Quizzes like Where Should I Live in the US Quiz,  “What City Should I Live Quiz”  “Where Should I Move to Quiz”, What Country Should I Live In Quiz, etc. All provide random insights into potential locations that might be worth exploring further. But again, remember that these quizzes should only be in the discovery phase. DON’T take them as fact. Sometimes it’s nice to bring a little fun to what can often be an overwhelming process. 

Seek Real-Life Where Should I Live Perspectives

I always recommend doing this AFTER you have determined your must haves. And AFTER you have chosen a few places to potentially check out. People tend to offer their unsolicited advice before you have a chance to make anything your own. Just ask Sara Blakely why she didn’t tell anyone about Spanx for an entire year. I believe it’s important to understand what works for YOU. Then and only then should you ask for others’ opinions. 

Real-life perspectives from people who have lived in the places you’re considering can be helpful during the research phase. Engage with online forums. Reddit, social media groups, or local communities give valuable insights. You can get an understanding of what it’s truly like to live in a particular city or country. Personal anecdotes and experiences can offer a genuine glimpse into daily life and help you envision yourself in that location.

Narrow Down Your Research

Using the information you’ve gathered, start narrowing down your list of potential places. Use my Where Should I Live Location System Guide to organize the data and rank the cities based on your must-haves. . Weigh the pros and cons of each location. Carefully consider how well they align with your priorities and lifestyle preferences.

a) Research-Based Decision Making: Avoid getting swayed by flashy images or media portrayals of certain places. Instead, focus on your Top 5 Must Haves and objective assessments from your research.

b) Beware of Social Media and TV Influence: We all know someone whose life looks perfect on Instagram but in reality, it actually sucks. Social media and tv often portray certain locations as ideal for everyone. But in reality, no single place suits everyone’s needs and desires. Think critically about what matters most to you, and resist being influenced by superficial images.

The days of googling Where Should I Live are over! 

By the end of this assignment, you should have four places that align with your Top 5 Location Must Haves. These places are based on concrete research that is both based on facts and YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.

This is huge!

Give yourself a pat on the back. 

Now the next step in the How to Decide Where to Live series is actually going to visit these places. Taking them for a test drive if you will.

Stay tuned for what is next! 

In the meantime, drop your Top 4 Cities that you chose below!! I’d love to hear your thoughts.