Should You Relocate for a New Job?
When deciding whether to relocate for a new job, it is crucial to consider the fit of the job, the new location’s characteristics, and the impact that the move will have on one’s quality of life as well as his or her family. That way, a person will better understand what he or she is getting into in the new job and location. Below is more information on the important considerations to be made before relocating for a job.
Are the Company and Job a Good Fit?
Before relocation, one should do thorough research on the job and company to determine if they are a good fit. He or she should look into the position’s requirements, duties, and opportunities it offers for learning and career advancement. It is equally crucial to assess the track record and growth potential of the company.
Online resources provide in-depth information about company culture, compensation, and the managers. Speaking with potential colleagues during the interview can help one find out about:
- Work-life balance
- Overall job satisfaction
- Access to healthcare and child care
- The prospective city’s quality of life
The New Area’s Job Market
When contemplating a move, people should think about a backup plan if things do not work out as expected. People should find out about the available opportunities within their specific field in the new area. They should research whether their work or areas of interest are in high demand. Having this information beforehand will help people determine the ease of making a career move if circumstances make them have to seek new opportunities while in the new location.
How Relocating Will Affect Family
Someone who has a family should consider how the move will affect his or her partner and kids. Several logistical and practical issues about moving will need to be coordinated with the family before deciding to relocate. Having candid conversations with family members about how the move will impact their career, relationships, and life is essential.
Together, partners or spouses can decide whether one should deviate from his or her career path for the other. They will also determine whether a move is in their children’s best interest, for example, by considering the child-friendliness of neighborhoods and the reputation of the school system.
How Salary Measures up to the Cost of Living
A person should compare the new area’s cost of living to his or her current situation. Even if the new salary may be higher, the cost of living may make the salary fail to cover expenses adequately. For example, a person’s transportation needs in the new location may take out a bigger chunk of the monthly budget.
It is important for people to consider all their expenses, such as costs of buying a new home, utilities, taxes, groceries, healthcare, and transportation, as well as the costs of moving not covered by the company. Factoring in all these considerations puts people in a better position to decide whether they are willing to sacrifice or modify certain aspects of their current lifestyle for the sake of the new job.
Effect on Quality of Life
A person should find out how a move will affect his or her life outside of work. That is because the stresses outside the workplace can have a significant impact on one’s outlook and daily attitude.
For example, someone who constantly requires cultural stimulation may best operate in an area with ample access to sports, concerts, shopping, and theater options. Accessing public transportation easily may be a priority for someone concerned with the commute time or gas prices. People who find it hard to make new friends may find the cost of leaving their current social circle to be significantly high.
Visiting the new city and consulting people who live there or have lived there can help someone get a sense of how it would be to live there. The person can then identify the valuable aspects of his or her life that will be affected by the move the most and decide whether he or she can tolerate that.