Perhaps it was my childhood that instilled an appreciation of moving a lot, but I still enjoy the process to this day. I'm not crazy enough to enjoy the actual "moving" of all my stuff. That's no fun for anyone. But I do love the excitement of a new place, new sights, new smells, new restaurants and of course, new craft beers. What's not to love?

For some people, most likely those with excess baggage (also known as kids), moving is a much larger hassle. The last time I moved, I was able to fit everything I own into the back of my Tacoma. Of course I had to jettison a few items in order to make it all fit. But in the end the cat and I were comfortable and I only missed a few things.

Moving for whatever reason can certainly be stressful and full of anxiety (and hard work). Today I'd like to explore a few things to consider before jumping in the truck and heading out. Of course there are situations where you don't have any choice. Work, family, school and a myriad of other reasons can be the impetus for your relocation. If you do have some say in the decision, I encourage you to consider a few of the following factors that could help you out.

Unless you are independently wealthy you will most likely be gainfully employed at this new location. Even if you already have a job (or maybe that's why you are moving), I still encourage you to explore the job market in this new area. Doing some digging can help you better understand the current unemployment rate, how that impacts the population and how you will fare should something unforeseen happen to your current employment status. Beyond that, it is great information to know if you are considering a change in job or career. A good friend just moved to San Francisco. Partially for the job he was hired for and partially because the prospects in his chosen field are very strong there overall. He's going with the comfort of having a new job, but also enjoys the notion that if that doesn't work out there are lots of other opportunities in his field.

This wouldn't be much of a real estate column if we didn't encourage you to better understand the market. Of course you are not a psychic so you can't know what is going to happen in any given market, but you can certainly look at some trends and do your own research. There are two main suggestions I have with regards to real estate. The first is to speak to a real estate professional in the area and get a feel for the local market. Ideally you will have a referral so there's a built-in level of trust. This is important if you are moving across the Kanc., or across the country.

The other area, which said real estate professional might also be able to help with, is the ongoing development in the area. "While the actual market is important to understand, the new construction and existing infrastructure to support that development are even more important," notes Badger Peabody & Smith Realty (formerly Badger Realty) agent, Karla Badger. "These are crucial areas to understand if the goal is to stick around for 5 or 10 years," she continued.

Beyond the housing market and your job, your social network is critical to your happiness (and health!) in any new environment. I work from home so building those networks is significantly more challenging. Even having a single friend in a new area can be enough to get the ball rolling and get those social networks built back up. If you work in an office, your network is essentially built-in and you should have an easier time branching out. Everyone has experienced the challenge of making new friends after college or as young adults. When making a big move, don't underestimate the importance of this network and the challenge in rebuilding it.

Speaking of networks, what are you going to do about transportation? My buddy is a moped enthusiast (it's on his business card and I'm not even kidding!) so he made sure that he would be able to get around on one of his bikes. That was a driving factor in choosing the location of the apartment he will live in. He also needed to be aware of the crazy hills out there since one of his mopeds is from the 70's and is not all that powerful. Get familiar with the lay of the land where you're going and ensure that your commute, the distance to school and the distance to town are all within your comfort zone.

Lastly, and of course this can be out of your hands if you are moving for reasons beyond your control, is the climate. In case you hadn't noticed, it is winter in New England. My parents lived their entire lives up here and finally had had enough of shoveling and scraping ice so they migrated south to Florida. My buddy is excited about the consistent weather in San Fran, so he's fully ready for the change. If you do have some say in the matter, do your homework on the seasonal trends and make sure you're willing to deal with what may come.

Moving is a big deal and, for some, can be exciting and full of adventure. If you do a bit of research up front, you will find the transition more smooth and easier for everyone in the family. If it is just you and the cat, throw all your stuff in the truck and get moving! I'll see you on the road.