People are on the move more than ever. Whether you're a consultant, fresh out of college and ready to embark on your next adventure, a retiree, or simply lucky enough to be able to telecommute, the world is your oyster. But moving to a new locale is a major decision that will affect us emotionally and financially. How you determine ahead of time the place that's best for you? Is there anything you can do short of visiting the locations on your wish list and spending lots of money on plane tickets?

A site called Relocation Central serves as an online atlas for consumers, allowing you to take a virtual coast-to-coast tour of the continental United States without leaving your home computer.

Begin your search by selecting a state. Along the right-hand side of your screen, you'll find updated statistics: climate, population, unemmployment rate, per capita income, top employers, and largest city, for example. Then narrow your search by selecting a city; Relocation Central includes regional information on most major cities within every state. At this point, you're greeted with a long list of links containing a wide variety of resources: apartments, corporate apartments, full-service relocation companies, real estate, moving and storage companies and newcomer information, to name just a few.

A search for apartments in the Dallas-area brought us to a lengthy list provided by a major local apartment location service, Texas Apartment Locators. Apartments were situated not only in Dallas, but in all surrounding suburbs in which relocating families to the Dallas area are likely to settle. Web-users are presented with a full range of rents and available floor plans and may then e-mail each apartment community that inty that interests them. Prospective relocators who want to buy homes may select the "real estate" link, which offers a listing of local agents, search firms, property management companies, local home communities, contractors and referral and locator services.

If it's more general information about the relocation process that you're looking for, select the "tools and tips" link, which will allow you to select such options as a "relocation wizard" (moving time line), mover's check list, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). A particularly handy feature is a personal two-location comparison, which for $9.95 provides a cost-of-living report, including school and community statistics. A sample report is available on the site for your review. The two-location comparison is a worthwhile investment for $9.95; you'll be presented with a direct comparison between the city you're leaving and the city you're considering, using such data as annual precipitation, crime rate, housing type, housing age, average commute time to work and industry type. A comparison like this is the easiest and fastest way to get the facts on paper before you make the major decision to pack up and move to an unfamiliar location.

If you're concerned about the financial implications of a move, you can start estimating those expenses by using Relocation Central's moving cost calculator, mortgage calculator and salary calculator.

Relocation Central also contains links to local city information sites City Search, City.Net, USA City Link, and Lycos City Guide. Mapping services Map Quest and Map Blast! will help you pinpoint specific neighborhoods. And if an international relocation is on your horizon, Relocation Central can help. The site contains two links for the overseas mover: International Relocation Resources (connecting consumers with international relocation services and real estate firms) and the Foreign Language Website Translator. In addition, you'll find an online relocation bookstore -- a partnership through Relocation Central and Amazon.com -- which will enable you to order titles concerning the job search and interview process; moving with kids; corporate relocation; regional relocation information; and more.

As any consumer who has embarked on a move knows, it's a life step filled with anticipation as well as trepidation. If you're moving simply to make a new start -- instead of being required to by a job transfer -- our pride is often on the line, too. We want to make the most educated decision possible, particularly if other family members are in the picture. Being informed is the best prescription for easing your mind and moving forward with confidence. Relocation Central has compiled an extensive amount of information that it would take hours at the local library to obtain. It's an excellent, time-saving resource that's well-worth a visit before your move.

Published: February 2, 1999

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.