Landing a new job is an extremely exciting milestone in anyone’s life. For many, a new job might mean they have to relocate in order to be closer to the office or place of employment. While starting a new career in a new city can be just the change you need, it’s important to understand what goes into making a big move like this. Below, we’ll go over five things you should consider before relocating for a job, so you can ensure this is the right move to make.
1. Cost
The cost of moving can be pretty expensive. Numerous expenses can add up and put a dent in your finances, such as a security deposit for an apartment, a down payment for a home, the help of relocation companies, moving trucks, gas, furniture, and other necessities for your new home.
Before you accept the job, make sure you have enough money saved up to afford a big move. You may also want to look for employers that provide compensation for relocating. In most cases, you can negotiate a relocation bonus that will provide compensation to make travel arrangements more manageable.
2. Your new role
When you get a new job, you don’t want to let all of the excitement to go to your head. While you should celebrate a new job, it’s important to be honest with yourself and ask whether you think your new role is what you want to do, especially if it requires uprooting and moving somewhere else.
Before you commit to your new role, get in contact with the manager or supervisor you’ll be working under. Ask them questions that have meaning to you, such as how your performance will be measured, your daily tasks, who you report to, and job growth opportunities. It’s important to get a deep understanding of what your day will look like on a daily basis. This way, you can determine whether it will help you obtain your professional goals.
3. Family impact
Moving can turn messy if not everyone in your family is on board. It’s always important to have a long and serious talk with your spouse or partner about whether moving to a new location is the right choice to make. For example, will your partner have a new place to work? Or will they face a period of unemployment? How will the kids react? Will they have trouble adjusting to a new school and leaving behind old friends? These are just some of the hard questions you’re going to have to answer head-on to ensure this is the right choice.
4. Cost of living
Every city and town is different across America, which means they all have their own separate living costs. For example, a small rural town in the Midwest will most likely have cheaper gas prices, food prices, rent, home values, and so forth compared to a larger city where housing is competitive like New York City and Las Angeles.
Before you make a move, research the cost of living in your soon-to-be home and compare it to your salary. This way, you can get a better understanding of whether you can make ends meet. Having a starting salary of $50,000 in a city like San Francisco will make it extremely difficult to get by, whereas that same salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas, will be much more manageable.
5. Support system
Moving is a significant life event. As humans, we need connections and relationships with other people for our own wellbeing. Before you move, think about the support system you’ll have. Are there any relatives nearby? Any close friends or mutual friends you can get acquainted with? Moving to a new city alone can be a frightening experience. While there will be plenty of opportunities to make new friends in your new home, it’s important to think about your current support system and whether it’s worth leaving behind.
Wrapping up
You should always strive to advance your career and take new risks. However, when it comes to finding a new job in a new city, it’s essential you know what you’re in for. With these five things to consider before relocating for a job, you’ll be able to decide whether this is the right path to take.
