(Relocation Blog Series: Part 2 of 3)
Relocation is a tough decision, so here at ENSEARCH, we are dedicating three articles surrounding the pros and cons of this decision. The first article can be found HERE. It is our goal to help you be informed and knowledgeable on how to make this crucial next step.
Once the decision is made to relocate, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. If you are single, you may not need to consider some of these factors, as compared to a partner in a relationship or having children. But just because you may not have roots established just yet does not mean that you will not have roots in the future. Everyone should seriously consider these questions. It is merely a matter of when you’ll need to know them versus if you do.
The top six considerations usually include these:
- Cost of living and housing
- Crime rates
- Weather
- Tax States (some states have no sales tax or State Income Tax)
- Activities (nightlife, dining, shopping, access to national parks or beaches)
- What are the school systems like: public or private?
If You Are Not Sure Where You Want to Go
At ENSEARCH, we do not only assist you in finding the job of your dreams, but we also want to make sure the location that you decide upon will be the right one for you in the future. To help with this, we direct our candidates to this website:
This website is a wealth of information with many invaluable tools, such as:
- A cost of living calculator for significant cities
- Side by Side comparison for multiple cities
- Searchable information based upon your style of living (foodie, family, military, hikers, or weather)
For example, if you live on the east coast, but are considering a move to the western side of the United States, you may have no clue about the differences. A tool like this can be helpful to decide between a city in California versus Oregon.
If You Know Where You Want to Go
Some people have specific locations in mind. Perhaps they have friends or family in that area, your spouse is already in the transfer process to work there, or they want to retire there eventually — these can be excellent reasons to relocate.
Others are more open. They like the idea of relocating but just aren’t sure where they want to end up. Here are some critical questions that can help you where to look or how to whittle the list down:
- How far are you willing to move from where you are at?
- Where else in the country do you have ties? (friends, family, etc.)
- Do you like the busyness of the city or the quiet of a suburban lifestyle?
- Where have you vacationed and liked?
- Do you want all four seasons?
- How much snow can you tolerate?
- Do you like the humidity of the south or prefer the dryer weather of the desert areas?
- How long is your commute to work?
Lastly, once you find the location of your dreams and apply to the position, take some time and start preparing for the interview and those dreaded behavioral interview questions.
Conclusion
The weather may be a prominent issue when deciding to relocate, but the thermostat is just the beginning. So before you take a considerable leap, find out all the details you can. This will help to ensure your relocation move will be the best move of your life.
What about you? Did you make the relocation leap into the unknown for the job of your dreams? What were the factors that helped you make this decision? Share in the comments below!
In the next article, we will be addressing one of the most challenging issues surrounding relocation: Spousal Relocation. How do you decide when both of you are working, and one needs to relocate to a new location? Stay Tuned!
