Receiving a job opportunity in a new city or country is huge and can spell the beginning of a whole new life. The thought of leaving it all behind for a fresh start can feel irresistible, but there are important considerations to make before you jump the gun.
Salary
Money, money, money – unfortunately, we can’t live without it, so it’s going to be an important deciding factor in making a move. Relocating for work should always make sense financially. Moving is expensive and your cost of living may increase in your new area, so you need to make sure that your income at a new job will either match or exceed what you’re currently earning, otherwise, the move might not be viable or worth it. There can be exceptions, such as being offered a lower position in your dream company, where you know you can work your way up, but make sure that you and your family are all aware and comfortable with any cuts that might need to be made to the household budget in such a case.
The Job
This might seem obvious but it’s important that the job offer is worthwhile and something that you truly want. The desire to escape a bad work situation you might feel stuck in could lead you to take a job opportunity that might not be right for you, just for the sake of making a change. While in some cases this could work out fine, you should be cautious in relocating for a job that you might not love. On the other hand, if this is a chance at your dream career, the relocation could be entirely worth it. Other things to think about are growth opportunities in the company and whether or not you’d have a backup plan in case things don’t go the way you’d hoped or planned.
The City
Another important thing to think about is whether or not you and your partner or family like the city you’re planning on moving to. Moving for work is all good and well, but your job isn’t and shouldn’t be your only priority in life. It’s just as important that there are other fulling factors to your city of choice, such as beautiful natural elements, an exciting city, a great nightlife or perhaps there are some great educational institutions that you or your children are interested in. This is a very personal aspect to consider, so think about your lifestyle, wants and needs and make sure that your new city will check all those boxes for you and your family.
Your Relationships
Sometimes, the opportunity to relocate might place pressure on a relationship, either with a partner, your parents or other people who you might live with or who form a major part of your life. If the relocation is going to impact others in your life, it’s important that you discuss the decision with them first. For example, if you have children, it would be a good idea to discuss with the entire family what it would mean for them to move – changing schools, making new friends, etc. If you’re in a long-term relationship, you might need to have an uncomfortable discussion of whether they would want to move with you or if the relocation could mean the end of the relationship. Discussing these things may lead you to have to make decisions about what is most important to you, to all parties involved need to be open and honest about how they feel before any final choices are made.
Moving Costs
Unfortunately, the cost of relocating can be extremely high. Consider all the costs involved in the process (travel, professional movers, rent or deposit on a new home, other administrative costs, new furniture, etc.) and whether or not they will fit into your budget and if so, whether or not it will be worth the expense. In some cases, a company will sponsor your relocation and in that case, the decision becomes far easier. Be sure to discuss openly with the company how many people will be part of the relocation, as well as any pets and how much furniture and other belongings will need to be transported, especially if you’re relocating overseas.
Conclusion
If all of these factors align with your plans, then it might be a great idea to relocate for your new job. However, there may always be other things to consider, so make sure to do thorough research and have open discussions before making any decisions.
