Relocating for a New Job

Congratulations! You got the job you applied for and were excited about. But, you'll have to relocate. This scenario is becoming more and more familiar, particularly as the nation still struggles to recover from the effects of the 2007-2009 recession. Relocating for employment can be a hassle, but with some careful, organized planning and a true desire to make this big change in your life, you can make sure that your move is as stress-free as possible.

Budget, Budget, Budget

Moving is not cheap, whether you're moving across the state or across the country. It's important to have a strong grasp on what you can afford to move before you begin scheduling movers, buying boxes, and packing things up. If you want to hire movers, call a few local moving companies for estimates and for clarification on things like whether they charge by the weight of your possessions (usually for long distance moves) or by the hour (typically for local moves). Find out what they charge for boxes, packing tape, cushioning pads, and other moving supplies, then compare the prices with those of other movers or retailers. Make sure the cost of moving works with your budget and available funds. If it doesn't, explore ways to cut costs, like renting a moving truck yourself and getting some friends to help pack it up.

And, don't forget: once you start your new job, you won't get your first paycheck right away, so you should plan to build up a stash of funds to help you through those first few weeks in your new location.

Finding a Place to Live

Some companies will help relocating employees find housing, or at least offer a temporary housing allowance, storage, and other assistance while transferees look for a permanent residence. If you're lucky enough to be employed by a company like that, then you may have an easy go of finding a place to live in your new location. If not, you should start your search for a new residence as soon as you can, as it can be a difficult process, particularly if you're moving across the country.

For starters, you should think about what type of area you'd like to live in once you've arrived at your new location. You may want to live closer to or right in the city if you enjoy walking to restaurants and bars, or prefer to ride your bike to work. If you have children, you may decide to choose a place to live based on the quality of the school system in that area. It's best if you or a proxy can visit a few homes or apartments before you sign on the dotted line. This way you'll know for sure that you're choosing a residence that meets your needs and the needs of your family.

Set up Mail Forwarding

The United States Postal Service (USPS) makes it easy to set up mail forwarding from your current address to your new one. You can schedule automatic mail forwarding for 15 days up to one year, so you'll have plenty of time to update your address with banks, creditors, magazines, friends, and family members. Plus, when you set up forwarding and change your address with the USPS, you'll receive a welcome kit filled with more than $500 worth of coupons (think Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) from their partners.

There are many more aspects to a successful relocation for a job, such as renting or selling your home if you're a homeowner, scheduling storage space if needed, properly packing your belongings, planning for unforeseen problems (e.g. the new home or apartment you're moving to isn't quite ready and you'll need to stay in and pay for a hotel for a few days), etc. Keeping yourself organized can make all the difference in the world, so plan accordingly and be prepared for anything.