When looking for work, relocating is often an option that needs to be considered carefully, especially if
you are a recent graduate or young person. There are many different things that need to be considered
when looking to relocate for a job, so in this article we will discuss these things and hopefully establish
whether relocating is the right move for you.
How far away are you moving?
If you are only relocating to the next city over from where you already live, it may not feel like you are
moving at all. However, the further away from home you are moving, the more you need to consider
seriously whether you are happy to take the job. Once you have moved, you have essentially committed
to this job entirely, so make sure you are 100% happy with your decision to move. However, if the job is
located near to home, there is likely to be less pressure on you as you can easily move back home if
things don’t work out as planned. Distance from your starting point is therefore one of the most
important factors in deciding whether to take a job, as it represents a level of commitment to your
decision that you will need to gauge for yourself.
What are the living wages in the area you are moving to?
You need to consider what you are being paid in your new job vs the cost of living in the new area you
are moving to. Everywhere has a different cost of living, it may be cheaper or more expensive than what
you are used to at home. What will you be paying in rent and bills per month? What is the average food
shop in your area? This is a vitally important point of consideration, as you may find the job you are
looking to take won’t pay you enough to live in that area. In that case, have you looked at towns or
villages in the immediate vicinity of your new place of work? This may be a more affordable alternative
that allows you to still take the job while living comfortably.
Have you familiarized yourself with the area?
Do you know what there is to do locally? Have you looked at the different nightlife, social clubs, etc. in
the area? When you move, you are likely to be moving to an area where you don’t yet know anyone
besides the people you work with – consider looking into what you can do in your free time to meet new
people and integrate yourself into your new surroundings in the most comfortable and positive way for
you. The sooner you love the place you live in, the easier the move is likely to be. Remember that in
your new job you want to be positive and upbeat as much as possible so that you make a good first
impression, so it is just as important to be happy outside of work.
Have you made your living arrangements?
If you have already accepted your new job or are already planning to accept, have you looked at where
you are going to live yet? Have you shopped around for a good balance of affordable and comfortable
living space? This is especially important if you are moving alone, as you want to make sure your new
place to live doesn’t make you unhappy. Do you know what local amenities are near your new
flat/house? Are you sharing your new space with someone else and if so have you spoken to them via
social media, for example, and made sure that you are compatible?
These are just a few of the basic points to consider when relocating for a job. You might find if you are
looking to relocate as part of your job search that a lot of employers are skeptical of those who are
looking to relocate (as it is quite an unpredictable situation) so make sure you are confident in your
approach to your job search and you can make your potential employer feel comfortable about your
decision to move. Moving is a huge step when it comes to a new job, so always make sure you are
confident in your decisions and in yourself! Good luck!