Relocating? 7 Questions to Ask Before You Do

Seven Questions to Ask When Relocating

If your current employer asked you to relocate or you were offered a job in another city, would you have to think about it first or would you jump at the opportunity? Why is starting over or doing something new exciting for some but nearly heart stopping for others? Would you know what to consider before making the decision? I have seven questions that you should ask yourself when considering relocation.

1. Can I afford it? It may sound obvious, but a big move can be a major hit to your finances. You need to account for last minute expenses that may pop up during the process. Also, you want to make sure that you have more than you think you'll need. No one needs a stress like a flat tire on the way to your new city when you've already spent your last few pennies on movers.

2. Are there friends or family near the new location? Relocating can be very isolating and a lonely experience at first. If the thought of leaving your closest friends and family make your stomach queasy, right now may not be the best time to move.

3.  What is the job market like there? Do your research first and make sure that you have a job lined up or that you have savings that you could use. Knowing community culture and job opportunity should definitely affect where you choose to move.

4. Is it worth relocating for my job?  The cost of living varies from state to state and even specific areas within the state. Be sure to research salary expectations for comparable positions wherever you're thinking about moving. Knowing information such as how much local groceries are, average rent and mortgage, gas, taxes can help you negotiate the right salary to have the same or better living standard that you're moving from.

5. What is the best time of year to move? This may be a silly thing to consider, but in different cities and housing markets, rent can actually fluctuate based on the time of the year. Another consideration is weather, where are you moving from and where are you moving to? Heat sounds great but can you handle Phoenix in July? Likewise, a white Christmas sounds magical, but can you handle Minneapolis when it's negative 30 degrees?

6. What is the real estate market like in the new location? What you can afford now might not be what you can get after the move. You definitely want to know that up front. Consider finding a realtor in the new area to connect with. Better yet, let us connect you with someone awesome from our network. They can help direct you to whatever you're looking for and make the transition so much smoother.

7. Is the culture of the city a good fit for you and can you be happy there? Just as you want to walk into your new home and feel like it's home, you want to make sure that the city feels like home as well. Different cities have different vibes and you want to make sure that the city fits you and your personality.

If you're looking to relocate, reach out to myself or our team, I promise we'll make sure that process is as smooth as possible.