The Ultimate Guide to Relocating for a Job

When you’re at a crossroads in life, there is no way to know which of the paths ahead of you will lead to success. Yet, you need to keep moving on. And if you’ve had the stroke of luck to be offered a lucrative position in the field of your professional expertise, the choice as to what direction your life should move in has to be made really quickly.

Even though the circumstances seem to be favorable and fortunate, however, the decision could prove to be a tough one – especially if the promising career opportunity requires you to move across the country. The happiness that your professional skills have been appreciated and the excitement caused by the chance of career advancement and self-improvement will be clouded by the prospect of leaving favorite places and special people behind and moving your entire household someplace else. Yet, you can’t miss such a great opportunity, can you?

If you’re considering moving for work, take a closer look at the detailed job relocation guide below – it will help you make the right choice and organize a perfect job-related move, should you decide that it’s the right step to take.

Questions to Ask Before Relocating for a Job

Weighing all the pros and cons of relocating for a job is definitely the first thing to do after the initial thrill of the great news has faded away. If you’re going to embark on a moving adventure across the country, you must be certain that it’s for the better.

Is relocating for a job worth it?

In order to be able to determine whether the benefits of relocating for the job you’ve been offered outweigh the hardships related to the imminent move, you need to find the answers to the following questions:

1) Will your financial situation improve as a result of higher income and various employee benefits?

2) Can you envision yourself advancing in your career in the company that offered you the job? Will you be able to improve your skills, knowledge, and competence?

3) Is the working atmosphere to your liking and the overall attitude at the company encouraging, appealing, and pleasant?

4) Does your new job look “stable” enough? Do you think you’ll be able to work for the company for many years?

5) Will it be possible to find another occupation in the new city if something goes wrong? (Think in terms of unemployment rate, demand for your professional qualification, etc.)

6) Is the cost of living in your new city affordable and will you be able to save money?

7) Will your significant other come along and will he/she be able to find satisfactory occupation in the new city?

8) Will the new environment be beneficial for your children (if any) in terms of education, hobby and recreational activities, new friendships, etc.?

9) What opportunities does the new city have to offer besides work?

10) Will you and your family be able to accept the change in a positive way and to enjoy your new surroundings?

If most of these questions have a positive answer, then moving for the job you’ve been offered is probably worth it. However, make sure you consider a few other critical issues as well before making your final decision.

Must-read: Pros and cons of moving for a job

What to consider when relocating for a job?

Besides the job-related factors, here are several other important things to consider before relocating for work:

Cost of living in the new area

Moving for a better-paid job in a very expensive city may have a negative impact on your overall financial status, so you carefully research the economic situation in your new area before embarking on your job relocation endeavor.

The costs of utilities, transportation, food, medical care, insurance, taxes and other relevant amenities must be taken into account and carefully compared to those in your current area, so you know what to expect after the move and what income you’re going to need in order to be able to live comfortably in your new city.

Housing issues

You will need to deal with your current housing situation first (mortgages, leasing issues, deposits, etc.):

• If you are on a lease agreement, you’ll need to end it appropriately and leave the house in a good condition;
• If you own your place, you’ll have to either sell it or lease it to tenants.

Both procedures have their specifics and require a lot of preparations and hard work.

Then, you’ll need to research the real estate market in your new city and find an appropriate new home to buy or to rent. Temporary housing may provide a good interim solution if you’re moving long distance to a city you don’t know well.

Relationships

In our technologically advanced age, you’ll be able to stay in touch with family and friends back home, regardless of the distance between you. Yet, the fun you used to have together and the comfort derived from their pleasant company will be irretrievably lost.

In your new city, you’ll be surrounded by unknown people and new faces. It may provide an opportunity to start new friendships but may also result in loneliness, isolation, or even relocation depression. You’ll have to find a way to prove yourself, to fit in, and to develop a new social network as quickly as possible.

See also: How to make new friends after moving

Timing

Depending on your and your family member’s current commitments and plans (work responsibilities, lease agreements, financial obligations, ongoing projects, school year, previously planned trips or vacations, etc.), the time may or may not be right for a house move.

Climate in the new area

If the weather conditions in your new area differ from what you’re accustomed to, you may have a hard time getting used to the climate – and the sudden change may even result in health issues.

Lifestyle

You will hardly experience a cultural shock unless your new job requires you to move across the ocean, but you may encounter different points of view, attitudes, and daily routines, or even some unique traditions and peculiar social practices in your new surroundings. The cultural background and the established etiquette in your new community may clash with your previous lifestyle.

Moving expenses

Even if your new position promises an enviable financial future for you, a house move will significantly strain your budget. Negotiating a good job relocation package with your future employer will relieve the financial burden, so make sure to research your options.

See also: What is the average moving cost?

Opportunity cost

Be sure to think about the consequences of not accepting the opportunity:

• Will you miss a great chance for a promotion, for expanding your skills, for having a job you would truly enjoy?
• Will you deny your children the chance of studying and developing in a better environment?
• Will you lose an opportunity to improve your living standard?

Or just vice versa? Depending on what it could cost you to say “no”, you may decide to face the challenges and move for the job you’re offered in a different city, state, or country.

Backup plan

The future is unpredictable, so you need to have a plan B if things go wrong. Don’t fail to devise one beforehand, just in case.

See also: Things to consider when moving

If you decide that your new position is worth the job relocation hardships, you should start planning your move without delay.

Relocating for a Job Checklist

The best way to ensure a successful job-related move is to follow a detailed job relocation checklist that will guide you and keep you on track throughout the entire relocation process.

Get organized

What matters the most for the successful outcome of any endeavor is the ability to maintain your focus and make logical decisions regardless of the absolute chaos around you. To ensure a successful job relocation, you need to harness your organizational skills and come up with a winning strategy. 

A detailed job relocation timeline will help you plan your tasks and keep track of your progress. So, make a detailed to-do-list with all the tasks that need to be taken care of before moving day and set appropriate timeframes for their completion – every single entry on your list marked as completed in time or delayed for whatever reason will serve as a fair indicator of your moving-related achievements and failures.

Get hold of a good binder to keep all the checklists, documents, receipts, and useful information relevant to your move. This simple organizational trick will save you a lot of time and trouble.

Related: How to stay organized when moving

Explore your new area

One of your first tasks when planning a house move should be to get as much information about your new city as possible. Analyze the economic situation and business environment in your new area and get an accurate idea of the cost of living, housing options, crime rate, and overall atmosphere in your future city.

If possible, visit your new city and spend some time walking around the different neighborhoods and talking to the locals. Look for a neighborhood that suits your requirements and preferences (safe, close to your workplace, with plenty of shopping centers, recreational activities, and entertainment options available in the vicinity, etc.) and an affordable home that suits your needs and your lifestyle.

If going on an actual exploratory expedition and a house-hunting trip to a faraway state is not a valid option in your case, take advantage of modern technology – use Google street view to get a realistic idea of what the place looks and feels like.

Either way, be sure not to engage in long-term commitments before you become well acquainted with the new surroundings. Buying a property or signing a long-term rental agreement only to find out that the neighborhood or the house is not convenient or not to your liking will be a great disappointment and will present a new set of challenges. Opt for temporary accommodations instead to give yourself time for an informed and wise housing decision.

Find reliable moving assistance

When moving for a job, you’re strongly advised to hire professional movers for your relocation – you will need plenty of time to deal with the required paperwork and to prepare for your new job, so you’ll probably not be able to dedicate yourself to organizing the actual moving process. Using the services of a trustworthy moving company will ensure your peace of mind and will save you a lot of time and headaches – your household items will be handled in the safest and most efficient way possible and all the aspects of the relocation process will be appropriately taken care of.

Filling out a moving quote form will take only several minutes of your time and will put you in touch with several reputable movers from your area. When you see what they have to offer, you can choose three or four who seem to best suit your relocation needs and requirements and ask them for on-site binding estimates of your moving costs.

After interviewing the movers, comparing their rates and conditions, and discussing the details of your move, you’ll be able to pick the best moving partners for you. Just be sure to verify their legitimacy and research the company’s complaint history before making your final decision.

Must-read: How to choose a moving company

Negotiate a job relocation package

Once you’ve got an accurate estimate of your moving costs, you can calculate your approximate relocation-related expenses (movers’ quotes, travel expenses, temporary housing, etc.) and ask your future employer for job relocation assistance.

Your new company may pay for home-hunting, may help you organize the sale of your old home and the purchase of a new one, may cover your moving costs, may give recommendations or employment leads for your spouse to begin work in the new city, and may provide storage options for your items or even temporary accommodations for your family.

If you know what to ask for and how to make your case, you’ll be able to get a good job relocation package and make your move as affordable and stress-free as possible.

Must-read: How to negotiate a job relocation package

Set your budget

Whether your company provides you with a relocation package or not, you still need to have a clear idea of your job relocation costs and be sure that you can cover them.

When making your budget, take into consideration the moving company’s rates and charges, fees for additional services, hidden moving costs, payments for appropriate insurance, travel expenses (fuel, parking fees, and road tolls if you’ll be driving your own vehicle, as well as meals and lodgings on the way, or airplane tickets if you’ll have your car shipped), immediate post-relocation costs (deposits, furnishing, food, cleaning supplies, paperwork, etc.) and unexpected expenses (you never know – emergencies do happen).

Once you have calculated your probable job relocation expenses, search for some efficient ways to cut down the moving cost – finding affordable cross country movers, paring down your possessions, packing by yourself, etc. Scheduling your move during the off-peak will also help you reduce your moving costs but you may not be at liberty to choose your moving date or to book moving services early enough in the event of a job relocation.

See also: How to make a moving budget

Take care of the paperwork

There will be a lot of paperwork to deal with when relocating for a job:

Housing issues

If you own your property, you’ll need to sell or rent it when moving to another city for work. It will take a lot of time to make all the necessary arrangements, so be sure to start the process as early as possible. Address any mortgage issues without delay and see what your best options are in the specific circumstances.

In case you’re moving out of a rented property, send a letter to your landlord to inform them about your imminent relocation and negotiate the break of your lease agreement. Remember that if you can’t keep the previously agreed terms and don’t comply with all your responsibilities, you may not be able to get your deposit back.

When looking for a new home in your new area, you’re advised to work with a professional realtor because the expert will be able to provide a lot of helpful information, recommend local lenders if you need mortgage services and help you locate the most suitable place for you to rent or to buy.

Relocation notices

You need to notify a lot of people and institutions about your upcoming move and to retrieve some important documents:

• Change your address with the US Postal Services and have all your mail forwarded;
• Send a letter of resignation to your current employer (and your spouse’s employer);
• Notify banks, health and educational institutions and other relevant organizations of your new address;
• Contact service providers, transfer utilities, and cancel subscriptions.

Documents

• Collect personal documents and financial records – ID documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver’s licenses, professional licenses and qualifications, social security cards, bank statements, tax papers, property-related documents, etc.
• Collect school records and medical records. Don’t forget to acquire veterinary records and health certificates for your pets;
• Moving documents – estimates, inventory lists, moving checklists, etc. (See also: Important documents when moving)

Book your chosen movers and sign a moving contract – state all your requirements explicitly, confirm pickup and delivery dates and times, negotiate all the small details, and read the fine print carefully before signing the Bill of Lading to ensure a trouble-free relocation and avoid moving scams.

Sort out and pack your belongings 

Your most laborious task when preparing for job relocation will be to organize and pack your belongings for moving:

• Sort out your items and get rid of everything you don’t need or don’t like anymore –avoid the temptation to relocate everything you own – the fewer items you move, the cheaper and easier your job relocation will be, so pack only what you really need and love;
• Make an inventory of the items you want to take to your new home;
• Get hold of packing materials – boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, etc. (remember that you can get boxes for free from local businesses or borrow some used cartons from friends, colleagues, or neighbors who have recently moved, and that you can use old sheets, towels and other items you have in your home instead of professional wrapping and padding materials);
• Take a lot of pictures – they will serve as proof of the pre-move condition of your items and will help you easily reassemble furniture and reconnect electrical devices after the move, replicate your home décor (if you want to) and preserve the memories of your old home;
• Start packing as early as possible – begin with the rooms and the items you use the least and pack a few boxes every day to make sure you finish the laborious packing process in time (See also: Packing timeline);
• Pack your items with utmost care – follow the golden rules of packing, use the safest packing techniques for different kinds of items, and take advantage of some clever tricks to pack quickly and efficiently;
• Don’t forget to pack a box of essentials and take it with you, so you have everything you need to survive for some time without the rest of your belongings.

Organize a safe and trouble-free Moving day and have a safe trip to your new city.

A couple of last job relocation tips:

1. Impress your new employer and make the most out of your new career opportunity;
2. Enjoy the fresh start and use it to improve every aspect of your life!