Job Relocation Guide: Key Factors to Evaluate Before Making the Move

Throughout your career you’ll make a lot of different moves. You might move into a new role, or into a new office; your employer might even move to a new building. In certain cases, you might decide to relocate to another city or state for a job. This is a big decision and there are many things you should consider before packing up and heading out. Here’s how to determine whether relocating for a job is the right move for you.

Assess Your Situation

If you’re considering relocating for a job, the first thing you should do is make a list of pros and cons. Does the job in question offer a higher salary and better employee benefits? Does the city you’re thinking of moving to have a higher cost of living? How much will your standard of living change if you move, and are you willing to accept such a change? Asking yourself questions like these will help you to determine if relocating is a valid option for you.

If you’re single relocating is far less complicated, although you may want to consider whether you’d be happy living further away from friends and family. Depending on how far away you’ll be living, it may become time-consuming and costly to go back and visit, so keep that in mind as you weigh your options.

Determine the Cost of Living

Before you make any major decisions, determine how much it will cost to live in your new location. Take note of the average cost of rent in the area, gas and food prices, and how much you’ll be spending on activities or a night out. How does the cost compare to your current location? The best-case scenario would be relocating to an area that is easier to afford, but that isn’t always possible.

If you’ve determined that you’ll be spending around the same or more to maintain your day-to-day life, now would be a good time to create a budget. If you already know what your salary will be at your new job, use that figure to determine your monthly budget. In the event you still don’t know the exact salary, research average salary ranges for your role in the new location. This may not always be terribly accurate, but at the very least you can get an idea of what to expect.

Research the Location

Once you’ve thoroughly researched the job and company, take some time to look into the new area in which you’ll be living. Will your day-to-day experience remain relatively unchanged in your new location? Or are you looking for a big change? Either way, studying your new surroundings will give you an idea of what to expect if you do decide to move.

Things you might want to keep an eye out for are nearby libraries, fitness centers, grocery and retail stores, parks, or restaurants that might interest you. You may want to get creative and think of new places you’d like to visit or hobbies you’d like to start. Of course, the best way to do this is by taking a trip to the new location and scoping it out, but you could also get a good idea by checking things out on the internet.

Find a Place to Live

If you’re thinking of relocating, you’ll need to find a place to live. Depending on your age and situation, you could be looking to buy a house or rent an apartment. Either way, take the time to determine how far you’re willing to travel for work. The easiest way to do this is to create a radius around the location of the company in question, then start looking for a place that you can afford within that radius.

In certain cases, you might have a friend or a family member who lives in the city you’re planning on moving to. Here, you may be able to stay with them until you get yourself all set up with your own place. Keep in mind that this is a big ask, and this option may only be viable if you’re planning on relocating alone. In addition to this, you’ll need to put all your energy and earnings into finding your own place upon relocating so you don’t wear out your welcome.

Overall Compatibility

Perhaps most importantly, make sure the new location and job are compatible with your values and lifestyle. First, take a look at the company’s mission and values, and determine whether they align with your own. Next, research members of the leadership team and take note of any common interests you might share. If the new company feels like a good fit, making a decision will be much easier.

Along with the company, research the new location and its local businesses. The goal here is to determine whether your new surroundings will be a good fit for your lifestyle. Do the community’s values align with your own? Are local businesses committed to protecting the environment, or do they support charities that are important to you? Think of relocating as an opportunity for a new beginning, and take the time to find a place where you’ll feel comfortable living.

Yes friends, relocating for a job is a huge decision. It can be difficult to adjust to new surroundings, especially when you’re used to being in the same place for so long; however, a change in scenery can often be the catalyst for positive change. The bottom line is, if you’re thinking of relocating for work, be creative, do a lot of research, and plan ahead.