A Checklist for Visiting Well and Moving Wisely

Many places are wonderful to visit, but not every beautiful destination makes a good home. Knowing which is which often begins with asking the right questions. A thoughtful checklist starts with understanding that visiting a place well and living there wisely are not the same thing. Travel often centers on discovery, leisure, and a curated sense of place, while everyday life reveals the rhythms beneath the surface—routine, responsibilities, community, and the practical realities that shape a home.

Visiting a Place

A good place to start is with the visit itself. Experiencing a place well often begins with thoughtful preparation. Visiting a new place involves researching destinations, creating an itinerary, and booking essentials in advance, typically using platforms like Google Maps to pin sights, using local guides or tours for authentic experiences, and leaving space for discoveries that aren’t on the itinerary. Of course, before arrival, it is important that you have your passport, visa, driver’s license, insurance, and printed copies of bookings or other important documents. Book flights, accommodations, and rental cars early to secure better rates and availability. If you are traveling to a concert or event, make sure you have your tickets or passes and double check your dates and reservations.

Preparing for travel also means preparing the home you are leaving behind. Empty the trash, turn off or unplug appliances, set the thermostat, and lock all doors and windows. When it comes to the financial and health side of things, it is important to alert your bank to travel plans to avoid card freezes, secure travel insurance, and check for any needed vaccinations.

Then there is transportation. Will you rent a car, especially if visiting a more rural destination? Or, in an urban setting, will you rely on taxis or systems like the London Underground, or simply walk, as many do in New York City? When visiting a place, it is often best to focus on two or three main activities each day, allowing time for spontaneous exploration rather than over-scheduling every hour. Some of the best travel moments are unplanned. It's also important to prioritize light packing—one hat, two pairs of shoes, the essentials—to maximize comfort.

For the full travel checklist, click here, print it out, and keep it on hand as you plan your next trip.

Living in a Place

Living in a place, however, is very different from simply visiting.

Moving is a big change, and determining if it is the right one is often a stressful decision. To help limit that stress, below is what we believe to be the ultimate checklist for determining that change. Having lived in and visited many places, we have found that the decision often comes down to something slightly less obvious: the feeling a place gives you.

The first step in deciding if a place is right for you and your family is to look at houses, jobs, schools, healthcare, and financial institutions. After you have initially determined these main factors, this is where our checklist comes in handy.

This checklist speaks to the more sentimental side of living in a place, which we believe is one of the most important parts of the moving process and should not be overlooked. These questions may seem unexpected, but they often reveal far more about what it is like to live in a place than you might think.

Food is another consideration, and often a more important one than people first realize. Does it suit your needs—whether allergies and sensitivities, or concerns about GMOs, additives, and how food is grown and handled? We have noticed that in some places even familiar grocery stores may be different, which can shape everyday life more than expected. It may help to look into local farms that supply fresh produce to markets or, if it appeals to you, whether a home could support a small kitchen garden of your own.

(And if you are still skeptical, here is The Simple, Expert-Backed Way to Clean Produce, And if you are interested in growing your own food, here is a more personal, step-by-step guide on How to Start a Garden)

Climate and everyday life are worth considering too. How does it feel to be outside without the company of friends? Is the climate meant for me—is it too cold, too hot, too humid, too dry? Is the altitude too high? Is it too dark, or are you someone who enjoys rainy, cozy days?

Practical and cultural considerations belong in the equation as well. Consider the cost of living, the character of the people, and whether the political character of a place feels right for you.

These are just a few of the questions you should consider asking yourself before making a move. For the complete checklist, click here, print it out, and see if the place you have in mind is right for you. All of these are what we believe make up the ultimate checklist to determine if a place is simply a nice place to visit, or if you may want to consider making the move.

And even if you have been there before, or visited a few months or even a few years ago, that does not mean it is still the same as when you left. A lot can change in a few months—even in a year. Pay it a couple more visits before determining whether it is the right place for you and your family.

After all, some places are lovely to visit, while others have the quieter qualities that make a life there possible. Knowing the difference often comes down to paying attention—not only to what a place offers, but to how it feels to return.