Relocation Guide: Collection of Tips to Use When Relocating to a New City for Work

Relocation Guide: Collection of Tips to Use When Relocating to a New City for Work
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Relocating Tips to Get You Started

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the “Baby Boomer”—someone born between 1957 and 1964—holds an average of 11 jobs in their lifetime. In today’s economy many workers have been displaced by outsourcing and downsizing, making it a necessity to relocate to where the opportunities may be more conducive to continue in their chosen field of expertise or to learn a new skill that makes you more marketable to employers.

Depending on the circumstances, relocation is usually fraught with emotions that range from anxiety to elation and a bit of confusion as to how to make the transition as smooth as possible for all family members. If this is an involuntary move, you have every right to negotiate the terms and financial arrangements to pay for the relocation.

Tip: If your employer is relocating you, make sure to get in writing that you will get several days in your new location to set up your household and get your family situated. If you are in demand and are a good negotiator, these days should be paid in full and not part of your paid vacation or sick-leave benefit days.

Voluntary Relocation: Where to Go?

US Relocation

Singles and families alike have an idea of what the best community looks like for their specific needs and lifestyle. There are lists that come out on a yearly basis touting the best features of each city, but they are murky on specific details that may be a deal-breaker for many people. It is a good idea to research the lists and then plug your specific questions about something that may be one of the most important factors into a search engine.

For instance, the lists may say that Portland is the best city for singles, but as a single person your needs for socialization may require nightclubs within easy walking distance from home and work. Upon researching the area where the job center is located, you find that there is no affordable housing or reliable public transportation. You may decide that the city still meets your needs, but the neighborhood does not, so you must keep refining your search and adapt to the environment.

Tip: For those retiring soon or living on a fixed income, consider relocating to cities that have a low-tax base on property, personal income and sales taxes.

Career Paths in the Right City

It is obvious that if your job is in high demand across the nation, you can take your time selecting the best city or state for you. However, if your field has dried out where you live, it stands to reason that you will search the places that have the most openings and then narrow down the cities and states based on your quality of life standards.

Starting Your Business: Where Do You Go?

If your business requires foot traffic and a population willing to part with their hard-earned cash, you are going to have to narrow the field by the amount of demand for your product per state and city. The last thing you want is to invest in a location that is not favorable to your product. For instance, your snow cone store may do a lot better in the busy Santa Monica Pier, California, but not so well in Anchorage, Alaska.

Considerations

Make a list of all the things you absolutely can’t live without and prioritize the list in order of importance. If child care near your new working location is a priority, investigate the centers online, their credentials and staff training in childhood development. You want peace of mind when you are in a new locations and don’t know very many people.

Everyone should have easy access to good medical facilities from both their home, work and school surrounding areas, but people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and the elderly need to pay special attention to facilities that specialize in pediatrics and gerontology. Retirees’ needs may also include warm weather and recreational activities dominated by their peer group. For instance, Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona have met those conditions for retirees over the past few decades and even under the current dismal economic climate, they still draw large crowds of retirees yearly.

What do you think? What is your ideal relocation spot and why? What needs does a new location have to meet for you to be happy? Leave us a comment and share with us.

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