Knowing what to expect helps the move go more smoothly.
When you are faced with a job relocation, even one for which you are excited and have anticipated, the initial change and upheaval to your life can be stressful. There are plenty of things to take care of before you leave, including finding a place to live in your new city, packing up your current residence, taking care of any outstanding work, service and social obligations, handling financial responsibilities and, if you have a family, finding a new school for your children and helping to make sure your partner finds a happy work and living situation. A move across the country or abroad brings many of the same challenges, but leaving your home country does introduce additional considerations, like visas, language and cultural differences, home ownership laws, medical insurance rules, tax laws and more. All of this to say, the more prepared you are, the more smoothly the move is likely to go and the quicker you’ll be settled and enjoying your new situation. Here are a few tips that go beyond the basics to help with the relocation.
Cost of Living
Cost of living varies widely depending on where and how you live. It’s important to be aware of the cost of living in your new city. Generally speaking, large cities are more expensive than smaller cities and towns, but a lot depends on your lifestyle.
Many countries experienced a cost-of-living crisis in recent years, driven by the pandemic, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and inflation. Inflation has fallen significantly in many countries over the last three years, but many countries and cities around the world are still facing financial difficulties due to the high cost of living. Many countries are also dealing with a severe housing crisis decades in the making. Aside from housing, the cost of groceries, transportation, entertainment, health care and taxes should be considered when planning your move. Look at your budget and be realistic about whether you can afford your proposed new living situation before committing to an apartment lease, a new car or anything else.
Many countries are also dealing with a severe housing crisis decades in the making.
Housing
It is important to begin your housing search before you move. Real estate agents can be a great help with housing. In most cities, many housing types are available – from apartments and condominiums to townhouses and detached dwellings. Housing costs vary from city to city, but accommodation will likely be your biggest expense. The general rule of thumb has been to allow for 30% of your budget for accommodation, but a 35% to 50% may be more realistic these days. Keep in mind that it’s usually cheaper to live in suburbs outside of major cities.
Many major cities around the world are facing housing shortages, which has led to high rental and sale prices in recent years. However, there have been signs of improvement within many housing markets. Rental prices have come down over the last couple of years. However, it will take years to get back to an affordable range for typical households.
Transportation
No matter if you are moving to a city that has abundant public transportation or one reliant on personal vehicles, you’ll likely consider the location of your new housing and its proximity to your office, restaurants, schools, shopping and other frequented establishments. Commuting time matters and making your life as convenient and stress-free as possible is important to most of us. Many large cities around the world offer great public transportation, including such options as subways, light rail, buses, trams and trains. Most towns also have public transportation options.
It is important to consider if you’ll need a car, especially if you don’t currently own one. This will be a new expense and a pricey one that includes gasoline and insurance prices, as well as, sometimes, parking costs. Bicycles, motorcycles and scooters can also be alternatives to a car and tend to be less expensive.
Networking
Many countries place high importance on networking and personal communication, both in professional and social contexts. Whether you are a returnee or a newcomer to your relocation city, having a robust professional support network can help your career, provide valuable insights and ease your assimilation into the local community.
Depending on your industry, you can find various business associations that act as a common forum for people to enrich their professional activities beyond their jobs. Some general associations are a good starting point to extend your network beyond your industry. These groups are good places to find professional development training and seminars, opportunities to form partnerships through networking events and get updates on the local scene.
Many countries place high importance on networking and personal communication, both in professional and social contexts.
Chambers of commerce are among the most valuable resources for learning about local markets and making important contacts. Chambers are often essential for driving economic growth by representing business interests, advocating for favorable policies, facilitating networking and partnerships, providing business support services, acting as information hubs, and representing businesses’ collective voice to policymakers and international organizations. They play a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship and connections between members.
Online communities can also help newcomers settle into a new location by connecting them with people who have similar interests or who are fellow foreign visitors. Both virtual and IRL (‘in real life’) events can bring together groups of like-minded individuals. Gatherings can be purely social, or organized around professional interests or hobbies, but they all offer social connections that can be used to make professional contacts.
Explore GoinGlobal for relocation pre-departure preparedness
GoinGlobal has reliable and current career and employment resources for 120 locations worldwide. Contact the career center staff or alumni association at your alma mater college/university for support in preparing for relocation adventures and for getting the most out of GoinGlobal resources.*
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