The last few years have seen a massive change in how people work. For example,remote work has become a staple of the modern workforce. Yet not every job lends itself well to full-time remote work. More importantly, not every employer embraces remote work for all positions. That means that getting a new job may mean relocating to a new city or a new state. Before you make that commitment, here are six things you should consider first.
1. Cost of Living
A new job offer may look great on paper and even include a huge pay bump for you. The problem is that salaries are not created equal across the country. Specifically, you must consider the cost of living in your new location relative to the cost of living in your current location.
The cost of living in areas like Seattle, San Francisco, and New York City are dramatically higher than the cost of living in places Dayton, OH, or Memphis, TN. Once you factor in those costs of living, you may find out that your new salary won't actually put more in your bank account than your current salary.
2. Growth Opportunities
Another factor you must keep in mind is the growth opportunity for a new position. For example, a position in a big company may come with better benefits, but the job itself may provide very limited options for moving forward in your career. You should ask careful questions about your opportunities for advancement.
By the same token, startups often promise opportunities for growth, yet the failure rate of startups is very high. You don't want to uproot your entire life to go somewhere just to discover that you can get a promotion or have the company shut down six months after you get there.
3. Cost of Moving
You must also keep in mind the cost of moving. While many big companies will pay for relocation, not every company will. If a company doesn't offer relocation support, that means that you must have enough saved to either buy a home or secure an apartment before you go
On top of that, you must also consider the logistics of moving. If you live in an accessible area such as New Haven, CT, for example, you'll likely have luck finding new haven movers. If you live somewhere semi-remote, though, you may well struggle to find a convenient service to deal with your move. In that event, your moving costs can soar.
4. Schools
For anyone with kids, you must also weigh the educational system where your new job is located. It's sad fact that some school districts provide better education and more opportunities. While you can find these districts in most places, the cost of finding a home in that district can often prove prohibitive.
All of the local families of means will have a vested interest in securing homes in those areas so their own kids can get into those schools. That can drive up property and rent costs a substantial amount.
5. Relationships
A big move for a job can also put substantial stress on serious relationships. A spouse or long-term significant other may already have a job they like at your current location. Going with you can mean they must find a job at the new location, which may or not prove easy.
There is also no guarantee that they'll end up liking the job they find. There is a lot of room for resentment that can destroy relationships in these situations. You should have a long talk with your spouse or significant other before accepting a job in a new location.
6. Distance from Family
Taking a job across the country can also put a strain on family relationships. If you can only realistically get back once a year or even less often, it can lead to a different kind of resentment from your parents or siblings.
Relocation Takes Consideration
Relocating for a job can prove very beneficial for your career, but it's not something you should jump into without thinking it through. There are financial considerations, such as the cost of living and moving costs. The move can strain relationships with your family and even your spouse or significant other. If you have kids, there is also the matter of finding quality schools. Make sure you weigh these issues before committing to a new position.
