What to Know About Relocating for Work

Lead Image for What to Know About Relocating for Work

Moving is always incredibly stressful. You turn into a weird troll who spends their spare time hunting for boxes. You feel sad to be leaving the familiar, yet excited to be embarking on something new. You're a jumble of emotions and a jumble of nerves. And that's when you’re emoving locally! When you're moving away to a whole new place and you're starting a new job on top of it, wow. That's a whole lot to handle and a ton of stuff to take in. Make it a little easier on yourself and find out what you need to know about relocating for work.

Is This the Right Job?

If you're going to completely change your life for a job, make sure this is truly the right job for you. Because once you move away from your usual places, your friends and your entire support network, the job is really going to be all you have—at least at first. Reach out to your potential new co-workers on social media sites. Tell them you're planning a move and ask them about the company and about the local area. Get to know them and you'll start to get a sense of whether or not you can really work alongside them.

How Much Are You Paying For?

Will you be responsible for all of your own moving expenses? Not only is moving emotionally taxing and time-consuming, but it’s also expensive! Find out if there is any reimbursement from your employer. Because paying for the expenses of the move, as well as paying for the costs of getting a new place, is going to put a huge strain on all of your financial resources. Some companies provide a hiring bonus and other little perks. Find out if your new job offers any of this and find out exactly when you can expect to receive this windfall.

Plan, Plan, Plan

woman organizing boxes for a move with a clipboard and laptop

When you're moving to a whole new place, you're going to need some extra time to get yourself squared away. You need time in your new home to get things set up and get comfortable. You need time to explore your immediate area and get to know more about where you live. You're also going to need to buy a few things because there are always a few things you need to get after you move. So make sure you plan your move well to give yourself time to do some shopping and time to get acquainted with your new environment.

Don't forget to set up all your appointments and plan that out accordingly. You may need to have your cable or your satellite hooked up. You may need to meet with your landlord to get keys to your new place. You might have to go to your new local courthouse to switch your driver's license or car paperwork. Make a list of all the things you're going to need to do and schedule your appointments wisely so you can get everything done. You want to arrive in your new area at least five days in advance of starting your first day of work. If possible, give yourself as much as 14 days so you can get plenty of time to settle in and get to know your new home.

Pack Smart

cluttered closet with jackets and boxes

The fewer things you need to move, the better. It's expensive to move across big distances, so you want to get rid of as many items as you can to make it as cheap and easy as possible. Give yourself less to keep track of. Your furniture, your small appliances, your dishes and your cookware are all pretty essential. You'll also want to bring linens and towels. But items like trashcans, old electronics, that VHS collection you've been hanging onto and those clothes that haven't fit in 10 years—you probably don't need to drag those items with you. Look carefully at all of your items and get rid of the stuff you don't need and can't easily replace.

Enjoy It

Moving is stressful. Starting a new job is scary. But this is also an exciting opportunity. Remember to stop and enjoy the moment during the whirlwind. Remember that this is an exciting and thrilling time. You’re getting a fresh start, which is something that many people only dream about. You get to start over, try new things, meet new people, perhaps even become somebody else. That’s pretty great! So stop every now and then, breathe and smile. This is a fun, exciting time for you that could lead to many wonderful new things. Make the move as easy as you can by planning it well so you can start enjoying your new life as soon as possible.