If You’re Thinking About A Move This Year, Read This First

January is interesting. The holidays wrap up, we all scream “Happy New Year!”, the weather turns questionable (or downright offensive), and suddenly you find yourself wondering things like, “Could I live somewhere else?” or “Why am I voluntarily owning five winter coats?”

If you’re thinking about moving this year – especially during colder months – you’re not alone. Before you disappear down a late-night Zillow spiral or panic about why you haven’t already booked your one-way, non-refundable plane ticket to Key West, here are six things to think about if a move is on your radar this year.

1. Curiosity Is Not the Same as Commitment

Let’s clear this up right away. Thinking about moving does not mean you’ve decided to move. It doesn’t mean you’re listing your house tomorrow, selling everything you own, or packing boxes while dramatically staring out a frosty window. Curiosity is often the very first step in planning, long before any real decisions are made. It’s totally OK (and healthy!) to dream about making a change in your life, even if you’re not ready to press play just yet. Plus, looking at sunny real estate pictures can be very uplifting when there’s a blizzard swirling outside. Self care, people!

Key Point:
Curiosity is normal and healthy and does not commit you to anything, so dream away, friends!

2. Lifestyle Comes Before Location

Most people start by searching where they might want to move. In reality, the better question is how you want to live.

For example, do you want:

• More sunshine and outdoor living?
• Less house and less maintenance?
• Slower mornings and fewer commutes?
• A stronger sense of community?

When people start asking these questions in January, it’s often because winter has a way of highlighting what’s missing. This is also why warm, coastal lifestyles – like living in the Florida Keys – tend to catch people’s attention right about now. When you take the time to figure out what makes you happy and what’s important to you, then that paves the path to figuring out the place(s) that fit for you.

Key Point:
Define your ideal day before you lock in your destination. It saves a lot of time (and a lot of browser tabs).

3. Preparation Is > “Perfect” Timing

Many people wait for the “perfect” time to move. Perfect market. Perfect job moment. Perfect everything. Here’s the truth: the perfect time rarely exists, but preparation absolutely does. The least stressful moves usually come from people who do their research beforehand and plan accordingly. That could be months or even years in advance. There’s always going to be some reason why it “won’t work”, so ultimately, the best thing you can do is make sure you’re as prepared as you can be, then make that move. If I had waited until the “perfect” time to make my move, I’d still be scraping my windshield, wondering why I’m actively choosing to be a human snowman (snow-woman??) when I could be sipping margaritas under a palm tree.

Key Point:
Do your research and plan accordingly. The timing will work out when you’re prepared.

4. Online Research Only Tells Part of the Story

Websites like Zillow or Realtor.com are great starting points, but they don’t tell you how a place actually feels to live in.

They won’t explain:

• Neighborhood personalities
• Flood zones or insurance considerations
• Why two homes on the same street can have completely different vibes
• Why certain locations work better for certain lifestyles

And so on and so forth. This is especially true in unique markets like the Florida Keys, where local nuances matter just as much as the house itself. Finding local expertise like joining local online groups and asking questions, visiting the place you want to move and exploring and, of course, working with a trusted Realtor are all ways you’re going to get the real, inside scoop.

Key Point:
Online searches are a tool—not the whole picture. Real insight comes from understanding the lifestyle behind the listings (and working with a great Realtor, of course 😉).

5. Consider A Part-Time Option

When you’re thinking of moving to a warmer climate, oftentimes it’s easy to fall into an all-or-nothing mindset. You may think, “I need to sell my current house to afford another one” or “I can’t leave my family behind” or other similar thoughts. And they are all perfectly valid thoughts. That being said, there are alternative options to packing up and permanently moving somewhere far away from your current home. For example:

• If your job allows remote work, consider becoming a snowbird just for the particularly heinous months
• If you’re not in a financial position to purchase a second house just yet, consider a rental for the time being. You can shop for homes while you’re there and it will help you be more informed for when you are ready to buy
• On the heels of the previous point, if you think you can swing a second mortgage, you can rent it out while you’re not there. A place like the Florida Keys has different types of renters in different seasons, so this is a great option if you’re looking to supplement your mortgage

Key Point:
Look at all the angles to find an option that works well for you.

6. Sometimes, You Just Need To Go For It

Honestly, I know it can be scary and tough, but sometimes, you just need to take a bit of a leap. As with point #3 about waiting for the “perfect” moment, you’ll often find ways to talk yourself out of it if you think about it too hard. Trust me, I’ve been there and for every point in the “go for it” column, there was at least one counter argument in the “no freakin’ way” column. If it’s too much commitment to do the full-time thing, that’s completely understandable. That’s why there are so many snowbirds that flock to southern climes every winter. But if you do nothing at all, then you’re more likely to look back down the road and wonder “why didn’t I at least try?” Life is short, so if warmer winters are something you’ve been dreaming of, then get creative and find a way to make it happen.

Key Point:
Make sure you’re informed, but don’t be afraid to take a chance. It’ll be worth it, I promise.

A Final Thought

If you’re just thinking about moving this year, you’re exactly where you should be. Curiosity doesn’t mean commitment, it means you’re paying attention. Some people explore their options and move months later. Some, years later. Some decide to stay right where they are, but with more confidence and clarity.

If you ever want to talk through possibilities, whether that’s relocating to a warmer climate like the Florida Keys or simply understanding what options exist, I’m always happy to be a resource. No pressure, no rush, just honest guidance. I know exactly what it’s like to make a big move, so if anyone understands the questions you might have, it’s me.

Because sometimes the best decisions start with nothing more than a quiet, “What if?”