Relocating for Work: Four Steps to Get to Know Your New City

Moving is stressful, and particularly if it’s not just a convenience move into a slightly larger home or a nicer neighborhood. Moving for a job often means moving in to a lot of unknown situations, which can make it difficult to maintain a good work-life balance if the only people you know are the people you work with.

Relocating for a new job can simultaneously be exciting and stressful. The good news is that, with the right attitude and some planning, you can minimize the negative effects many people experience after a major relocation.

Research Ahead of Time

By studying the area you’ll be relocating to, you’ll have a better grasp of things like commuting times, traffic volume, accessibility to shops and amenities, and walking distance to leisure opportunities. If you’re moving to a neighborhood that’s close to where you’ll be working, the chances are some of your new coworkers will be your neighbors. This will help minimize some of the shock you feel when you arrive.

Plan Your Expenses

Before any move, it’s essential that you research the cost of living. Using your current budget as a baseline, calculate what percentage of your income you currently spend on things like housing, groceries, transportation and entertainment. Consider these numbers alongside a reputable Cost of Living Index to determine what kind of adjustments you might need to make.

Will groceries be considerably more expensive? Will your auto and health insurance premiums change?  Look especially hard at housing costs, regardless of whether you’re buying or renting. The last thing you want is to be stuck in substandard accommodations because housing prices are much higher. Once you’ve planned out all of your baseline expenses, you’ll have a better idea of how much expendable income you’ll have for meals and entertainment outside of your home.

Get Out of the House

Getting social in your new city is key! Look for opportunities to get out of the house and socialize.  If you play a sport or have certain hobbies, try to find groups you can join. Better yet, try to leverage contacts from your new employer or groups you’re already a member of prior to your move. You may find that someone has a friend or family member living in the city you’ll be relocating to. Professional associations, fraternities, alumni organizations and meetup groups are all great sources for organized events that can take the edge off during your move.

Read the Local News

Reading newspapers from the city you’ll be moving to will put you in touch with the culture of the area and give you some common ground with your new coworkers. It’s also an excellent way to get a feel for the area’s social, political and cultural preoccupations. This will go a long way towards establishing rapport with your new coworkers and give you something to talk about with your neighbors.

Moving for a New IT Opportunity? Make Your New City Your Home!

While moving for a job can be stressful, it can also be a very rewarding and exciting experience. After all, nothing beats the feeling of carrying the last box into your new home and setting out to explore your new surroundings. If you’re on the hunt for a new job, and location isn’t an issue, contact nTech Workforce today. We’re experts in not only helping candidates find new opportunities, but also in helping them adjust to their new positions and lives after a job relocation.