Kiplinger's is releasing its annual list of great places to live July 25, and I was fortunate enough to visit and write about the number-one pick. It's definitely a place I would considering living because of its stable economy, affordable homes and ample amenities. In fact, most of the cities on our list have a cost of living that's below the national average -- making them ideal places to relocate if you're looking to cut back on expenses.
My husband and I made the decision to relocate from Washington, D.C., to a more affordable city ten years ago. I've been lucky enough to continue writing for Kiplinger's, which is based in D.C., while living in a place that costs significantly less than our nation's capital. If you've been thinking about moving to a place with a lower cost of living, here's a roundup of advice from personal finance bloggers about relocating -- as well as tips on downsizing to cut costs. And be sure to check out our great places to live list on Kiplinger.com tomorrow and on Twitter by using the hashtag #KipCities.
Cost of Living Does Make a Difference: Is Switching Worthwhile? [Bargaineering]
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"If you live in an area with a high cost of living and having trouble getting ahead or making ends meet, you may want to consider moving to a different city or a suburban location where the cost of living is substantially lower."
Home Ownership -- Would You Move to a Lower Cost of Living Area? [Everything Financial]
"A three hour drive in any direction would put us in an area with much more affordable housing, where we could buy our dream home for less than $200,000 and pay property taxes of less than $5,000 every year. Is it worth it? I think so."
Should You Relocate to Save Money? [MoneyNing]
"You don’t have to suffer the high costs of living in places like Manhattan or Orange County if you have, or can establish, a remote career."
Growin' Home: How Much House Do You Really Need? [Wise Bread]
"How can we build or buy with a sense of what's sufficient or even moderate in this new Gilded Age of home design? If you're in the market for a new home, here are a few considerations that might help you determine how much space you really need."
Downsizing: The Highest Impact Financial Move You Can Make [20Somethingfinance]
"One move suddenly has a domino effect of more than a handful of additional cost savings and lifestyle benefits. Less stuff, less maintenance, less cleaning, and less costs = less stress and more time and money to do things you really want to do."
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3 Tips to Update Your Bathroom for Lessreal estate The time of year, where you shop, and how you design can all affect your remodel costs.
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Trim Your Mortgage Rate With a 'Nonbank'real estate Online lenders could help you cut your expenses.
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7 Reasons Your House Is Still on the Marketreal estate You stuck a for-sale sign in the front yard but the offers aren’t rolling in. Here’s why.
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5 Reasons You Hate Your Homeowners Associationreal estate You want the property, you sign on with an HOA and bear the consequences.
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Scam Alerts: Beware Unattended ATMs, Down-Payment FraudScams Fresh hustles and cons you need to avoid.
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Worst Things to Buy at Memorial Day SalesSmart Buying Good deals can be found over the long holiday weekend – just not on what you’d expect.
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3 Strategies to Remodel Your Kitchen for Lessreal estate What to do about everything from buying cabinets and appliances to scoring discounts.
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How to Get a Refund on Your Water Bill If You Have a Leakreal estate Refunds for water leaks are available from municipalities if you report and fix the problem.
