What to Figure Out Before Accepting Work in Another City

In a perfect world, we’re always looking before we leap. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out this way. Such is the case when job hunting, where in order to even get an interview let alone the position, one must experience countless hours of applications, resume tweaks, et cetera. We’re applying for employment opportunities in cities across the country or even the world, and simply do not have the time to research every potential new hometown.

Therefore, when the job offer comes through in Albuquerque and the candidate is currently in Trenton, uncertainty sets in regarding what changes are in store. While we can’t be afraid to take chances, we also don’t want to get in over our heads with a relocation done without the proper research first.

With this mind, request time to think it over. Whether they agree to a day, weekend, or a week before needing to know the final decision, take that time to figure out what needs to be known before agreeing to move for the job.

So what needs to be known? Here are the more important aspects to consider:

Moving Costs

Find out if the company will provide reimbursement for moving costs. Whether they do or not, it’s important to find the most affordable moving option possible. Consult the website of North American moving company and compare quotes to competitors to find the best available rates. If the employer is eventually footing the bill, making sure it’s reasonably priced is a good way to get off to a great start upon arrival.

If moving costs are not covered by the employer, figuring them out before accepting the job is important to properly plan out finances. The wonky period between jobs where money is flying out the door and very little if any coming in to provide balance can be crippling to long-term personal finance if not properly managed. Lastly, keep in mind moving costs can be written off on that year’s taxes if the relocation was due to employment.

Cost of Living

One of the biggest rookie mistakes men and women make when accepting a job, especially right out of college, is not factoring the change in the cost of living from one location to the next. Simply put, cities with higher property values will require residents to spend more on rent, goods, etc than they would for identical purchases in a city with lower valued property.

Fortunately, there are cost-of-living calculators available online for determining the difference between two cities. This lets users see if the salary for a job offer is reasonable or a rip-off.

For example, let’s say one’s career of choice is pharmacy technician and they currently live in Oklahoma City, where a pharmacy technician probably earns no more than $30,000 a year. They get a job offer in Washington, DC paying $40,000 a year. Sounds too good to be true, but in fact it’s the opposite; the cost-of-living in DC is so high that one would need to earn $50,000 to live at the same standard as someone earning $30k back in OKC.

Local Climate

If job hunting for months and finally offered something in your career of choice, what the weather is like sounds like a trite aspect to consider. However, the climate influences and impacts many aspects of life and therefore ought to be taken into account.

For example, a drastic change in climate from the current location to the next may require a total wardrobe replacement. Even for the most conservative and frugal clothing shopper, this will be no small expense.

What about allergies? Upon arrival, one may soon discover they can’t go a day without itchy eyes and runny nose due to the local weather. The agony of allergies, which is being linked to depression, may only be alleviated by costly treatment.

These weather-related worries are not exactly enough to warrant a rejection of a job offer. Rather, they’re sources of added costs associated with the relocation which are often overlooked, leading to gaps in personal finance and a rocky start as a result.

Before taking that job in a city on the other side of the map, it’s important to take a closer look at various factors which may affect the outcome. Doing so ensures such a giant step isn’t made blind.