Letters to the Editor
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Moving Tips
There are some things you can do before you move to find out where you are going. This is going to sound weird, but go to the online personal ad sites (together, so you can both look). Punch in the age range that you want your friends to be in. Punch in the town or zip code. In personal ads, people list their hobbies and interests. The only difference between married and single people is that single people without kids may have kid-free interests. Divorced parents will have interests that involve kids. Read what they do for fun. If you like doing those things too, that might be a good place. For example in some places, its hunting and fishing. In others, everyone goes to the theater.
Another thing to do is visit the sites that sell demographics for marketing. Visit www.claritas.com. You can punch in zip codes to see what the marketing professionals know about that area. The U.S. census also has reports on demographics in terms of age and families. Check political sites, as well. There are breakdowns of red state, blue state and shades of purple that may be important.
It is indeed a good idea to do the move before you have children. There's that much less stuff to pack. Do be aware that when you move, you will feel pretty stressed out for up to two years as you build new connections and community. That's normal. I have seen it with a lot of my friends. Also accept that a new place might not work out, so keep researching even after you have moved, so you have a Plan B.