Moving to a new state is a huge milestone. It’s often filled with excitement, opportunity, and a whole lot of planning. You’ve likely already thought about schools, job prospects, and commute times.
According to the most recent U.S. Census, the number of people who moved between states increased from 7.9 million to 8.2 million. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but that’s a 300,000 increase within a one-year time span.
Unfortunately, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the need to investigate the safety and condition of the home and environment you’re moving into. Each state has its own regulations, industrial presence, and environmental history. In this article, let’s explore three investigations you want to conduct before making the big move.
1. Investigate Environmental Health Risks in the Area
When choosing a new home, you’re also choosing the air you’ll breathe and the soil beneath your feet. That’s why one of your first checks should be for any local environmental hazards or industrial pollution. An easy way to do this is to check if any factories or industrial facilities operate in the area.
They often tend to expose residents to toxic chemicals. Take a look at Cobb County in Georgia and Grand Rapids, Michigan. TruLaw points out that these are two states where sterigenic plants have caused emission hotspots of ethylene oxide (EtO). Something that you can easily overlook if you fail to investigate.
Ethylene Oxide lawsuit cases have been filed by several residents of these places, and people have reported unusually high rates of cancer. Do you really want to find out twenty years later that a cancer diagnosis could have been avoided if you ran a few Google searches?
Likewise, if you feel like scenic agricultural areas are safe, think again. Research tells us that 14 to 17 percent of global cropland exceeds agricultural safety thresholds. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for an environmental advocacy group, notes that any state where biosolids are spread will contaminate land, food, and water.
So make sure you take advantage of tools like the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory, local public health department databases, and news reports. This way, you can identify any long-term exposure risks tied to a location.
2. Check the Age and Safety of the Home’s Infrastructure
Even if your dream home looks charming and well-kept, its underlying infrastructure could be decades old and potentially dangerous. In some parts of the country, older homes still contain lead-based paint, asbestos insulation, or even outdated knob-and-tube electrical systems.
Lead pipes are of particular concern, especially in homes built before the 1980s. According to Drexel University, even as recently as 2022, over 12,000 children in big cities were tested to have elevated blood lead levels. Interestingly, the city with the highest rate in this regard was Cleveland, OH.
Lead in drinking water can cause developmental problems in children and has been linked to numerous chronic illnesses. This is where a licensed home inspector becomes your best friend. Consider testing for lead, radon, asbestos, or mold, depending on your region’s common problems.
Also, keep in mind that state laws vary on what sellers are required to disclose. Something that must be reported in California may not be legally required in Texas. Doing your own due diligence, beyond what’s legally mandated, ensures that you’re not walking into a time bomb disguised as a beautiful home.
3. Research Local Building Codes and Natural Disaster Vulnerabilities
Another critical yet overlooked step is understanding whether your new home is built to withstand local natural disasters. Different states and even counties have varying levels of building code enforcement.
For example, a house in Florida should be hurricane-hardened, while homes in California must follow earthquake-resilient construction standards. Moving from a low-risk area to a high-risk one means learning new risks fast. Flood zones, wildfire corridors, tornado alleys—these are all geographical realities that can affect safety, insurance rates, and even resale value.
This isn’t a niche concern as well. The CoreLogic Wildfire Risk Report indicates that over 2.6 million homes across 14 states are at moderate to very high risk of wildfire damage. Among these states, California, Colorado, and Texas are leading in the number of at-risk homes.
Thus, make sure you use FEMA flood zone maps, county assessor offices, and insurance provider tools to get a risk profile of your home’s location. You should also request documentation that confirms whether the home was built or only retrofitted to meet current safety standards.
This is especially important if the home has had additions or renovations. Were they permitted? Were they inspected? Try your best to find out and verify before moving in!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which area is safest from natural disasters?
No place is completely risk-free, but areas like the Midwest (think parts of Ohio or Michigan) generally avoid big natural disasters. They’re less prone to hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. Just be sure to check local flood zones—some spots still get hit with heavy rains.
2. How can I tell if my house is toxic?
If you’re getting weird headaches, odd smells, or moldy spots, it’s worth checking. Older homes might have lead paint or asbestos. You can hire an inspector or get home test kits for radon, mold, and VOCs. Better safe than sorry, especially if kids are around.
3. Is it hard to move between states?
It depends on your situation. If you’re just packing a car and going, it’s not too bad. But moving with furniture, pets, or kids takes more planning. Be ready for paperwork like changing your license, registration, and healthcare stuff. It’s doable—just takes some prep.
Ultimately, moving across state lines is a long-term investment in your future. While the excitement of decorating and exploring your new town is awesome, doing your homework on your home is absolutely essential.
Environmental hazards, outdated infrastructure, and vulnerability to natural disasters aren’t always obvious on a real estate listing. It can even be tiresome to actively research these matters, but you won’t regret it in the long run.
