7 Reasons for Moving to the Midwest

A Short Geography Lesson About America’s Heartland

Before we start listing the benefits of relocation to the Midwestern region, let’s brush up on geography. America’s Heartland is one of the four census regions of the US, located in the north-central area of the country. It consists of twelve states:

• Illinois,
• Indiana
• Iowa,
• Kansas,
• Michigan,
• Minnesota,
• Missouri,
• Nebraska,
• North Dakota,
• South Dakota,
• Ohio, and
• Wisconsin.

Although it’s not the capital, Illinois’s Chicago is considered this area’s cultural, educational, and business hub. However, remember that many individual states follow this pattern inside of their borders. Did you know that iconic and famous Midwestern cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee are not capitals? Those are facts worth knowing before you decide where to live and start packing.

Are More People Moving to the Midwest and From Where?

Coastal life has become too busy, expensive, and even too crowded. That is why, when the time for a move comes, people now more frequently opt against relocating from the East Coast to the West Coast and vice versa. Many of them are considering America’s Heartland as the most satisfying alternative.

Moving to the Midwest from California has become a more than common occurrence – Californians are proven to be the demographic that is most interested in this region. Aside from the Golden State, people from Texas, Florida, and Colorado are also keen to hire long-distance movers and relocate to a Midwestern state of their choice. East Coasters, on the other hand, are less interested in relocating to a new state here.

However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t witness a significant amount of moves from the Atlantic coast in the near future. If you’re thinking about moving from New York to the Midwest, for example, know that many New Yorkers choose Illinois, and precisely, Chicago, as their next destination.

#1 Affordability Is the Ultimate Benefit

The World Population Review has presented us with rankings of cheapest states to live in in the US based on housing prices, taxes, healthcare, and food costs. As many as three Midwesterns states found their place on the list – Kansas, Michigan, and Missouri all have a low cost of living. So, if you are relocating out of state on budget, there is no reason to feel anxiety about the move, at least when it comes to the financial part. Keep in mind that Missouri’s Joplin is the number one location when it comes to the lowest real estate prices. Buying a house with four bedrooms for a little more than $200,000 sounds like a fairytale somewhere else, but it is a real possibility here.

And if you’re looking to transport a car, remember that car-related expenses are also cheaper in this area. Hiring an auto transport company will be profitable if you consider gas, insurance, and registration prices. Iowa and South Dakota have the lowest costs in the country for minimum car insurance. North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri will offer you the lowest gas prices, while Iowa and Indiana’s registration costs are amongst the cheapest in the US. In addition to that, this region has an almost non-existent public transportation system. While having a car may be necessary, it’s good to know that maintaining it won’t be expensive.

If you’re interested to find out more information about approximate housing expenses in America’s Heartland, look at the table below. Keep in mind that the median home cost in America is around $270,000, while the average rent amounts to little more than $1,100. The prices you’ll see are listed in the capitals of all twelve Midwestern states.

#2 There Are Plenty of Jobs in Various Industries

When it comes to the IT sector, America’s Heartland isn’t far behind Silicon Valley and other country’s technology hubs. Many tech companies call the Midwestern region their home, but that number is not high enough to provide a competitive atmosphere characteristic for larger centers. That being said, keep in mind that half of the list of the top 15 cities to launch a career, provided by LinkedIn, contains places in the Midwestern region. So if you are looking for some of the best cities for millennials keen on exploring jobs and starting businesses, consider:

• St. Louis, Missouri,
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
• Cleveland, Ohio,
• Cincinnati, Ohio,
• Indianapolis, Indiana,
• Kansas City, Missouri,
• Detroit, Michigan,
• Columbus, Ohio.

Be prepared for a lower salary than what you would have for the same position in a company on the Atlantic or Pacific coast. Still, don’t consider that a red flag, because with lower paychecks in the Midwestern region, you can achieve more than with a higher salary in coastal metropolises.

Being an expert in the tech industry is not the only way to get a job in a new city. Healthcare, education, retail, and finances are all industries in demand in this part of the US. Moreover, there are plenty of jobs not requiring higher education, mostly in manufacturing and agriculture. Did you know that Nebraska is the US leader in the fight against unemployment, with an overall 2% unemployment rate? And that South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, and Wisconsin all have an unemployment rate below 4%? If one of your reasons to move includes employment possibilities, you won’t make a mistake by relocating to the Midwestern region.

#3 Mid-America Is Home to Great Schools and Colleges

If you decide to move to another state to attend college, or you’re relocating with kids and want them to have the highest quality education, know that America’s Heartland can provide you with precisely that. Various school districts in Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois are among the top school districts in the US. And if you’re planning to pack for college in the near future, pay attention to the University of Chicago, which was named one of the top universities globally for 2021. The University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University aren’t far behind.

#4 Enjoying Beaches and Not Going Broke Is a Real Possibility After Moving to the Midwest

This region is home to four of five Great Lakes – Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Superior. Together with Canadian Lake Ontario, they form the largest group of lakes in the world. That means that, when summer comes, you can actually enjoy beaches without the expenses coastal life brings. Moreover, they are not the only lakes in this region. Minnesota alone has more than 10,000 smaller lakes! So before you get professional packing services and cross-country movers start helping you box everything up, ensure that you keep all of your swimsuits and summer gear.

If you are an outdoorsy person by nature, don’t let swimming be the only activity you get into while living here. Get acquainted with some of the amazing hiking trails, explore canyons and different rock formations, visit famous Mount Rushmore, and learn about wildlife in numerous national parks.

Don’t Forget to Prepare for Winters

Yes, Midwesterners indeed have beautiful summers, and because of their springs and falls, you’ll be even more enamored in these regions. However, you must be prepared for freezing winters if you choose this region as your future destination. Proper winter gear alongside the house and car winterization will be necessary. Although winter may be the best time to move looking from the financial aspect, relocation in winter is not a good choice for this area. Keep in mind that North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin are some of the coldest regions in the US.

Blizzards will become things to beware of, which is inconvenient if you consider car-centered Midwestern transportation. If you decide to hire a car shipping company alongside long-distance moving services and relocate your vehicle here, learn all you have to do to prepare it properly. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

#5 Music Is Essential Part of Each State

Music runs through the veins of Midwesterners. Don’t trust us? Trust the facts. Legends of R&B, such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5 started building their music careers here. Eminem spent most of his youth in Missouri and, later, Detroit, Michigan. Modern music genres also have their roots here – Detroit’s responsible for the origin of techno music, while the house genre had its beginnings in Chicago.

Of course, we can’t forget that the (in)famous metal band Slipknot was formed in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. And did you know that rock&roll was first defined as a different genre by Cleveland DJ Alan Freed? Wherever you go, you are bound to be surrounded by magnificent music culture.

#6 Here, Sports Are a Form of Religion

Midwesterners cheer for their teams wholeheartedly. And don’t they have plenty to cheer for! Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and more – just take your pick! Even if you are not a fan of the sport, soon you’ll find yourself on the stands learning the rules of the game. From Minnesota Vikings to Cleveland Indians, choose your favorite! Of course, don’t forget the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and the rest of Chicago’s pride.

#7 Friendliness Is a Quality of Every Midwestern City

Whether you plan to move to a big city or you seek the spaciousness and peacefulness that relocation to a small town can offer, this region has it all. There are a handful of metropolises and many small towns. And precisely those smaller populated places are responsible for the community-oriented and friendly behavior Midwesterners are famous for. However, even if you move to Chicago or any other metropolis, you will find traces of this mindset. If you plan to start living in Chicago, for example, know that making friends won’t be a challenging task at all.

What Are the Best Cities to Live In? Feel Free to Explore

If we wanted to talk about the top places in the whole Midwestern area, there would be no end to this article. Instead, we decided to provide you with distinctive characteristics of our chosen, lesser-known places. Here are our picks for Midwest moving:

• Carmel, Indiana – a more than satisfying average salary combined with low unemployment and crime rates have made this destination a dream location,
• Naperville, Illinois – deemed as one of the safest places in the US,
• Cincinnati, Ohio – excellent for those who want to combine big-city amenities with a small-town feel,
• Rapid City, South Dakota – proximity to the Black Hills makes this place perfect for active and outdoorsy people,
• Columbia, Missouri – progressive views, environmental consciousness, and a funky vibe are some of the things this destination can offer,
• Grand Marais, Minnesota – this very low-populated location was once called the coolest small town in the US,
• Elm Grove, Wisconsin – an excellent choice for relocating to the suburbs, with low crime rates, quality schools, and satisfying family incomes.

Should You Move to the Midwest?

After all you have read, you shouldn’t wonder: Is the Midwest a good place to live anymore, but Where should I move to in the Midwest? Each Midwestern state has a lot to offer, so explore the options before you decide to contact a long-distance moving company and secure a stress-free relocation. All you need to do is pick a metropolis or town that suits you and your preferences. And when you do, don’t hesitate to plan a move to another city – you won’t regret it. Soon, your heart will belong to America’s Heartland.