Moving is stressful, even if it’s for a new job.
Just imagine, you need to find a new place, get a new driver’s license, find new utility providers, and deal with the hassle and mess of packing and unpacking your stuff.
Is all that trouble worth it? If the new paycheck is your only consideration, you might regret the move later on. Dig deeper.
Ask Yourself the Following Questions before Signing a Job Offer:
- How will this move affect my relationship?
Moving to a new city or state is easier if you’re single and have no attachments. Things are different if you’re in a stable relationship, or if you’re married and have kids.
Your move will also affect your spouse’s career and your kid’s education. Will your spouse be willing to move to a new city and look for a new job? Even if your spouse is supportive, is it a wise decision for him or her to give up their job? Your decision should also take into account your spouse’s career status and paycheck.
- New cost of living
The job offer you received might be for a higher salary than your current job. But it’s not accurate to compare the two in this way.
Remember, your new job requires you to move into a different location, which means your cost of living will change, too. A $120,000 salary might be enough for a comfortable life in Houston, for instance, but you can’t live a lavish lifestyle with that salary in Silicon Valley.
Research the place where you’ll be living online. Look up the average rent, gas prices, taxes, and average grocery expenses. Knowing the average cost of living will also help you decide if the salary you’re being offered will be enough to maintain your current lifestyle.
- What will my daily trip to the office be like?
How do the people in the new place you’ll relocate to usually get to work? Do they drive their cars to work, or do they commute? If they commute, is the public transportation reliable and cost-effective? Riding a taxicab everyday will deplete your budget.
If you need to drive to work, how bad is the traffic during your office hours? You should also ask your potential employer if they have parking spaces for employees, and how far these slots are from the office.
Of course, whether you commute or drive to work, it all boils down to how much time you need to spend on the road to go back and forth to work. If it’s a bit longer than your current commute, do you think you can manage the required schedule adjustment? Longer commute means less time for sleep and other errands, after all.
Try to Visit before Committing to the Job Offer
Try to spend a weekend or two in the new place where you plan to relocate. Use this time to find out more about the cost of living, daily commute, and what it’s really like to live in the new neighborhood.
You might think this is a lot of trouble just for a new job. But this upfront work can save you from making a major decision you might regret.