City Scouting Guide: How to Choose Your Next Home
- Caity Garvey
- Sep 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Thinking about moving? Well, I’ve been there, and done that and I have some advice to share.
Choosing a new city isn’t just about cost of living or the weather—it’s about finding a place that fits who you are now and who you’re becoming. Use this city scouting checklist to research, compare, and plan your next move with confidence.
1. Why Are You Ready to Leave Your Current City?
Before you start looking forward, get clear on your “why.” Ask yourself:
Have friends moved away and the community feels thin?
Better career opportunities elsewhere?
Do you want a fresh start or new chapter?
Is being closer to family important?
Does your current city hold too many bad memories?
Knowing why you want to move helps you stay grounded when change feels overwhelming.
2. What Are You Looking for in Your Next City?
Every move is about alignment. Write down your non-negotiables and nice-to-haves:
Politics or beliefs that align with yours
Stronger dating or partner pool
Affordable cost of living and financial stability
Access to nature, the beach, or cultural activities
Active community life, networking, or social opportunities
3. How to Research Cities Before Moving
Build your knowledge base using:
Google for data on housing, safety, and job market
ChatGPT for brainstorming and comparisons
Reddit forums for honest local perspectives
Friends and family for lived experiences
Keep a journal or spreadsheet so you can compare cities side by side.
4. Create a Moving Timeline & Budget
Plan with intention:
How much time do you need to save or prepare?
Which cities will you scout, and when?
Build two funds:
City scouting fund for weekend trips
Moving fund for the relocation itself
Narrow down to your top three cities and commit to visiting.
5. How to Scout a City in Person
A visit will tell you what data can’t. Stay in neighborhoods you’d actually live in (Airbnb is perfect). While there:
Walk the city and book local tours
Ask yourself: Can I see myself here? Do I like the vibe? Is there enough community?
Talk to locals in coffee shops, restaurants, and parks. Ask: “Do you like living here, and why?”
6. Trust Your Intuition (and Breathe)
No city will check every box—and that’s okay.
Trust your gut feelings.
This process will either guide you to a new city or confirm that staying put is right.
Either way, you’ll have clarity and confidence.
City Scouting Checklist
This is the exact list I carried with me on my own city scouting trips. Instead of just wandering and hoping a place “felt right,” I used these questions to focus on what really mattered—culture, community, affordability, and daily lifestyle. It gave me a clear way to compare cities side by side.
Curious about my own journey—why I left a city after 13 years, moved back to my hometown, and started fresh? Read the full story here.
Culture & Curiosity
Are there bookstores, theaters, galleries, or a food scene I’d enjoy?
Are there events, lectures, or workshops that spark curiosity?
Community & Connection
Do I feel welcomed in social spaces?
Is the dating/social scene aligned with what I want?
Can I picture building friendships here?
Lifestyle & Growth
Are there gyms, trails, clubs, or hobbies I’d join?
Would the pace of life energize me—or drain me?
Accessibility & Proximity
How easy is it to visit family and friends?
What’s the airport like (direct flights vs. layovers)?
Is public transportation reliable, or would I need a car?
Affordability & Investment
What’s the average rent or mortgage in neighborhoods I like?
Would I be financially comfortable—or stretched thin?
Are there neighborhoods with growth potential for buying property?
Reflection Prompts: Questions to Ask Before Moving to a New City
Walking this neighborhood, can I see myself here on an ordinary Tuesday night?
Do I feel inspired—or would I eventually feel stuck?
If I stayed here for five years, what version of myself would I become?
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