Moving to a new city, town, state, or even country can be extremely stressful. A job relocation means uprooting oneself from routines, comfort, and familiarity. Before undertaking such a move, it is best to consider the advantages and disadvantages of uprooting for a job. It is important to ask the tough questions, such as whether the move is for money, for personal challenge, or for another reason. More importantly, it is important to ensure one's spouse and family will be on board with the job relocation, as such a move can affect more than just the employee.
One of the biggest challenges of a job relocation is finding new housing. It is a good idea to visit the new city or town before committing to a new lease or mortgage. This allows the new employee to get a sense of the different areas of town, as well as which one of those areas will be best suited to him or her. A person who likes to go out at night, for example, might want to consider housing near a popular downtown area with clubs and bars, whereas a person who prefers quiet and suburban safety may want to choose a home farther outside the city center.
Another stress commonly associated with job relocation is making new friends and acquaintances. It is best to think of the new town as an opportunity rather than a chore; try to get involved with community events and clubs, not only to get a sense of what the town will offer, but also to make new friends who may be able to make the transition to the new town a bit easier. The new employee should consider his or her interests and hobbies, then seek out like-minded people in the area.
On top of all the other challenges of a job relocation, moving to a new city or town can be very expensive. It is a good idea to consider whether the new employee will lose money if he or she sells an existing home; it may be a good idea to maintain the old residence and rent it out rather than sell it. Drawing up a budget for the move is exceptionally important, and the new employee will need to consider security deposits on a home or apartment, expenses such as gas and food for the first few weeks in the new place, and other fees commonly associated with relocating. It is a good idea to ask the new employer whether he or she covers some of these moving expenses.
