These days, it is evident that the era of spending your entire career at one workplace has come to an end. According to recent research, an average American will change about 12 jobs before getting to the finish line. In many cases, these changes entail relocation to a new city as well.
Naturally, this shift can be seen as nothing short of stressful.
But, what one sees as an obstacle, others see as an opportunity. As long as you make sure relocation goes as planned, your future career can only start on the right foot. Let us then take a look at a couple of tips that will make sure you have this important piece of the puzzle in place before moving on.
Keep in mind the costs of living
The fact that some new location offers good job prospects doesn’t mean you will be able to take off or that your new improved salary will be able to sustain the costs of living in a new city.
That is why, even if some business opportunities may sound great at first glance, don’t jump to any conclusion before you thoroughly investigate the location where you intend to move. Some of the key factors you need to take into consideration are as follows:
- Costs of living
- Costs of commuting
- Median rental prices
- The costs of amenities you enjoy
- Average bills and utilities
Consider different employment options
By that, we are mostly talking about considering shifting your career in the remote freelancing direction. The range of positions that can be performed from the comfort of your home is growing with each passing day – the chances are that your preferred profession may be situated somewhere on that list.
On the other hand, opting to work from home will give you much more leeway when you start looking for the ideal property and render the proximity to your company meaningless. You can then shift focus to closing in on lower rents, proximity to kindergarten, or any other of your priorities.
Take care of the rentals and utilities as soon as possible
If you leave these things for the last moment, you may lose good deals and produce needless delays. This is especially important if you are looking for affordable apartment rentals in more competitive markets like Washington. Even if you need to pay extra rent, getting this issue off the table early will allow you to move in time and don’t experience any productivity gaps.
The same goes for the utilities, internet, cable, and all other services necessary for cozy living. Moving them off the table first, gives you enough time to deal with the more immediate necessities of moving to a new city.
Bring along as fewer things as possible
Remember, you are moving to a new home to rekindle your career. Take this as your number one priority and pack only the things that are necessary to get you started. Furniture pieces, clothes, and sentimental things can either be obtained on-site or you can move them once you set up your small basecamp.
As a matter of fact, in some cases buying the stuff you need later is more affordable than moving them from city to city and state to state. The items left behind can be easily sold out, making a good opportunity to fill your budget and start your new life with more financial confidence.
Create a backup plan
There is always a chance that your new job, as promising as it may look at first glance, may not turn out as you hoped. That is why you should never make a leap of faith into a new surrounding without setting up several failsafe options that will keep you afloat in case things go south.
So, if your new city offers only a singular option for employment in a certain industry, skip it and look for another option. Associated industries or the jobs you are good at but still don’t have too much experience in also make a good alternative. Essentially, try not to jump out of the plane without a chute on your back.
Set up a clear and well-thought-out budget
If you don’t do that, the benefits of getting a new job in a new city won’t compensate for the financial damage you will produce along the way. Creating a well-thought-out budget based on hard data and sticking to it whenever it’s time to make some important financial decision is the best way to keep such problems at bay.
Of course, in order for this strategy to work you need to be aware of all the obvious and some hidden expenses of relocation. Do your homework, then, try to get your finances in order, and be sure to always have enough resources to make the move go smoothly.
So, there you have it – the top six important things you should always keep in mind when using the idea of moving to a new city to pursue new business opportunities. Drastic changes like these always present a well of opportunities, but only if you are thorough and consider all obstacles you may encounter along the way.
We hope the suggestions we gave you will nudge you in the right direction. As long as that is the case, every step you make will be a step forward.
⸻ Author Bio ⸻ ⸻
Brigitte Evans is a lifestyle blogger with a passion for design, culture, and health. She is a regular writer and contributor to numerous lifestyle blogs and online magazines. She also loves to travel and enjoy the great outdoors.
