Trying to Relocate: The Who, What, and Where

The who, what, and where are just a few of the important factors to consider when trying to relocate. In recent years Americans have seen a sharp increase in relocation due to many circumstances such as, “warmer climates, affordable areas, and better job opportunities.” (USA Today) Relocating for a job can sometimes mean more money, a better chance at moving up, or the opportunity to work for a dream company with headquarters in a different city. So if you are the adventurous type trying to relocate, you will find yourself in this 10 percent of the population at least once in your life.  If you’re considering a relocation, make sure you answer the below three questions first.

1. Where will I live?

Of course, the first thing you need to figure out when you want to relocate is where to go! And this part is essential, but it's not exactly what we mean when we say "live." Once you’ve decided on a place to go, it’s important to do some in-depth research on the place you’re moving to and figure out what your living situation will look like. Try to answer the below questions before you begin making serious considerations about your relocation

1. Will I be living in the city center or the suburbs?
2. Am I planning to buy or rent a place to live?
3. Will I need to move with or ship a car?
4. Would I rather live in an apartment, house, or condo?

Answering these questions will help you get a sense of what you're looking for. After you develop this sense, begin to research if all of your plans are plausible given the city you're trying to relocate to. Doing all of these things first and foremost will help avoid making rash decisions.

2. What will I do?

If you're trying to relocate, chances are you have already thought about what you'll do for work. Perhaps your company is paying to move you to a new city, or allowing you to be a part of the 3.4% of Americans that work remotely.But if this isn’t the case, you will want to think about the type of work you'd like to be doing and what company you'd like to work for. To start, research your industry in the place you're relocating to. You could even do a quick search on LinkedIn for people who work in the industry or recruiters who work where you're relocating. Reach out and drop them a line - you never know what could lead to something, and you can never do too much networking.

3. Who will I be with?

When you move to a new city, it can feel extremely isolating. While sometimes people can be lucky enough to have things like family, friends, or a partner in a new city, sometimes you may feel incredibly alone once you relocate.Combat these feelings by researching things like Meetups and Facebook groups before you move to find activities that you may enjoy in your area. Taking things like cooking or painting classes can also be great ways to break the ice and meet new people during those first few lonely months.While relocating for a job or personal desires can be scary, it can also be rewarding. You are given the chance to immerse yourself in a new place, new friends, and possibly even a new industry. But by thinking about the who, what, and where of trying to relocate first, you can guarantee that you’ll start off on the right foot and won’t make any rash decisions.