Should you consider relocating for a job?

There are many reasons people move, and a new job is often one of them. Coupled with a job change, a move across country or state can feel even more complicated. Here are some ways to start sorting through all the reasons to consider relocating for a job.

Evaluate the job for its current "fit"

Whether you're moving to a new company or just transferring to a new location with your existing employer, do your research. Are you comfortable with the compensation, job duties, hours, commute time and office environment? An in-person visit to your potential new office could help you get a feel for the company’s culture. It could also be helpful to connect with current employees on LinkedIn or similar sites.

Consider long-term growth and goals

Think about the job opportunity within the larger context of your long-term career goals. Does it offer a boost in title and salary? Will you gain important experience or skills? Does it provide inroads to a new industry, a bigger region or career advancement? It's also helpful to think about the next job after this one: Are there opportunities in the area, or with the company, that can lead you to more challenges and growth? In an unfortunate scenario, would you have a backup plan if things don’t work out at the new company?

Review the cost of living

When it comes to salary, location is everything. What could buy a mansion in a less populous Midwest city may not cover rent on a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco. When moving, you may want to consider the cost of living and compare your current and proposed locations to factor the change into your overall budget.

Engage with quality-of-life factors

Moving to a city that doesn't fit your interests and passions can quickly lead to regret. For example, if you have children, you’ll want to check out the new area to see that it meets your needs for schools and activities relevant to growing kids. If you enjoy museums, couldn't live without the snow and want to commute via public transportation, take these factors into account when considering a new city. If you can, visit a few times and try to meet with people who already live there.

Discuss the effects on your family

Relocating for a job is more complicated when you're not single. Have candid conversations with your partner about how the move might affect their personal and professional lives. Will they be able to find work or will they have to put their career on hold? Will your family have a social support network to help, especially if you have young children? How will you help your children adjust to the changes?

Negotiate moving costs

Selling a home, house-hunting trips, relocation costs and temporary housing can eat away salary increases, and relocation expenses can no longer be deducted from your federal income taxes for most people. Find out what your employer covers and check the fine print. You may have to reimburse relocation assistance if you leave the job before a certain date.

If you've decided moving for a job is the right choice, here are some other considerations to keep in mind.

Set a budget

Moves can end up being very costly, so you may want to put together a budget to help manage your spending. Consider what you’re willing to spend on rent or a mortgage, mover’s fees and travel costs like flights or gas. As mentioned earlier, remember to factor in the cost of living in the new city as this may loosen or tighten your budget depending on where you’re moving. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the amount of money needed to perform maintenance and renovations on your new home and your previous one if you own it and are planning on selling.

Find a place to live

Do some research to find places that fit within your budget. It may be that your new position enables you to pursue a mortgage on your own home, or rent a different type of place than you had before. Consider the pros and cons to determine which fits your situation. If you think it’s time to buy, check out some tips on how to buy to feel better prepared. If you want to rent, consider steps to rent smartly and know what responsibilities are yours versus your landlord.

Organize your move

Now that you’ve decided where you’re moving, it’s time to figure out how you’ll get there. If you’ve got a lot of stuff or if the move is particularly difficult, consider hiring a moving company or renting a portable moving container to help support your move. If you have room in the budget, it could be worth it to help relieve some of the stress that moving creates.

In either case, you’ll want to pack in an organized manner to help smooth the loading, unloading and unpacking procedure. Categorize items, use labels and think about packing the moving vehicle in the opposite order you want to unload, leaving items near the back that you want to access first.

If you’ve made it this far, congrats on the new move and new job! Before you get settled, contact your State Farm® agent to make insurance changes when moving.