Imagine this scenario: You’ve landed your dream job after years of hard work, but it’s hundreds or thousands of miles away from home. You either need to turn down the job offer, inquire about the possibility of remote work, or relocate your family to a new city or state. What’s a person to do?
Though relocating for work may not be ideal for all families, there are several advantages that outweigh the potential downsides. As a few benefits of relocating for a job, you can explore a new city, state, or culture; enroll your children in a better school; and even reduce your cost of living. Depending on the job and location, you might earn a higher salary as well.
Relocating for work also has its drawbacks, however. Long-distance moves can be expensive, stressful, and hard on the whole family — your pets included. Moreover, your long list of to-dos and the stress of moving your family could cause you to fall behind on work, miss deadlines, and neglect your partner’s needs.
If you’re preparing to relocate for a job, this checklist from Reardon & Associates (R&A) will help to make your move as affordable and stress-free as possible.
Inquire About Relocation Benefits
Moving for a job has its benefits, but they come at a high cost to you. Unless your employer agrees to pay for your relocation expenses, that is. This type of benefit is known as an employee relocation assistance package.
Your employer may not cover or reimburse you for everything, but it’s worth asking whether they’ll pay to have your belongings packed, moved, unpacked, and assembled in your new home. Some employers will even pay for temporary housing, certain home buying and selling expenses, and storage fees.
Look for a New Place to Live
When relocating for work, the decision to rent or buy your new home is not an easy one. Renting can be a great option if you’re relocating to cities such as Manhattan, NY; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; or Kansas City, MO — especially as you adjust to the area and get settled in at work. But if you’re moving to a city such as Birmingham, AL; Cleveland, OH; or Pittsburgh, PA, buying a home could be the better choice. As such, the decision to rent or buy will depend on your specific situation.
If you’re moving from Claremont, CA to Seattle, WA, for instance, you might consider selling your current home and renting an apartment near your new office. The upfront costs of renting in Seattle are typically cheaper than buying a home, and renting can be a lot less stressful as well. Plus, you can browse Seattle apartments online and narrow your search by price range, location, amenities, and your optimal number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Some listings feature 3D tours as well.
Some other things to consider when searching for a new place to live include:
- Additional cost of living expenses, such as transportation, utilities, and groceries.
- Proximity to your new office and your kids’ schools or daycare centers.
- Access to entertainment, public transportation, restaurants, parks, and shops.
- Crime rates and safety.
Hire Professional Moving Services
Regardless of whether your employer offers a relocation package, hiring professional movers is one of the best things you can do to minimize stress when relocating for a job. Full-service movers can help with everything from packing and disassembling furniture before the move, to transporting your belongings and unpacking them in your new home. With help from the pros, you’ll have more time to spend with your spouse, children, and pets during this stressful time for your family.
Decide Whether to Drive or Fly
Flying to your destination may be best if your first day on the job is nearing and you’re short on time, but it is not the right choice for all families. If you’ll be flying with pets, for instance, you’ll need to contact the airline in advance to make arrangements for your animal companions — and you’ll need to decide whether to have your vehicles shipped. On the other hand, driving will give you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and keep your kids and pets close as you head toward your destination.
Final Thoughts
Prior to move-in day, remember to set up the utilities in your new home — and be sure to change your address with the USPS, your financial institutions, and any insurance providers. You might even choose to hire a move coordinator to help you from start to finish.
Relocating for work may be exciting, but the physical and emotional stress of moving long-distance with a family could make you wonder why you accepted your new job in the first place. Keep this checklist handy as you prepare to relocate with your household and the process will be much more enjoyable!
Ready to improve your financial situation? Visit Reardon & Associates (R&A) at reardon-associates.com, send an email to DavidR@Reardon-Associates.com, or book an appointment online.