Your career has you moving across the country. All of your hard work has paid off and you have landed your dream job in a new city. There are many things to be excited about, including new career opportunities, a new city to explore and the adventure of moving to your new location.
Amid the excitement, though, uncertainty begins to set in and you realize you aren’t sure where to start on the process of moving to your new city. Relocating for a job can be challenging, but with the right planning and information, it doesn’t need to be difficult.
Trust the following tips to help make your move a successful one.
1. Contact a Real Estate Professional
A good real estate professional can be your best friend during a relocation. Not only can they help you buy or rent a home in your new area, they can also help you navigate the moving process.
You can trust a real estate professional to give you an insider’s point of view on the following items:
• Average cost of housing in your new area
• Tips to stretch your housing budget
• Neighborhoods to consider or avoid
• Advantages or disadvantages of area school districts
• General information on your new surroundings, such as local hospitals, available healthcare options, daycare and suggestions on preparing your current home for a quick sale
2. Have a Financial Plan
Last-minute moving expenses are a common occurrence, but you can eliminate some of the financial strain by creating a relocation budget. When creating your budget, be sure to include down payments or deposits for housing, travel expenses and moving supplies.
If your new employer provides relocation funds or reimbursement for your move, be sure you fully understand what will be covered. Asking for clarification in advance will make the process easier.
Be sure you get answers to the following questions:
• What is and is not covered?
• What is the timeframe for spending relocation funds and receiving reimbursement?
• What documentation of expenses is needed?
3. Create a Realistic Timeline
The logistics of relocating for a job can be tricky. Setting a timeline in advance will allow you to be more flexible when unexpected changes occur. When setting a timeline for moving, be sure to include the following information:
• Start date for your new position
• Visits to your new area to look for housing
• Appointments for services such as movers, car transporters and cleaning services
• Dates for starting and turning off utilities
• Time to spend with family and friends prior to the move
4. Tie Up Loose Ends
In your excitement to start your new position and settle in to your new home it is tempting to skip to the exciting parts of your move.
But, before you head off to greener pastures, you will need to wrap up everything in your current location.
Make certain to take care of the following details:
• Transfer or obtain copies of medical, dental and veterinary records
• Transfer bank accounts
• Transfer or obtain copies of children’s school records
Relocating for a new position can be both a challenge and an adventure However, by creating a timeline and financial plan, tying up loose ends and working with a trusted real estate professional you can simplify the moving process. Taking some of the stress out of relocating will help you focus on a successful start with your new employer.
