The Trials of Relocating Before You Find a Job

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Making a move to a new city to pursue better employment opportunities is a huge, let me repeat that, a huge decision! Below is a list of items that should be on your "to do" list when considering making a move to a different city or area to pursue better economic opportunities.


As the economy becomes more and more of a challenge to many people, coupled with a declining job market in various areas of the country, many families consider the option of relocating to find better employment opportunities. While for some this may be a viable option, for others it could prove to be a significant financial mistake.

Below is a list of items that should be on your "to do" list when considering making a move to a different city or area to pursue better economic opportunities.

One: Make a list of potential employers within that area that you plan to relocate to. Do significant research on each of these businesses, not just viewing their website, but at the very least, perform an extensive internet search that involves recent company news and any financial information on each business on your list. Signing up for Dunn & Bradstreet to do a brief investigation through their extensive web based resources should be part of that process.

Two: Contact several realtors in the area to get information on the housing market as it relates to your particular needs. Are you going to be renting initially or will you be looking to make a home purchase when you arrive in your new city. Realtors can discuss with you the housing trends along with passing on to you information on the various neighborhoods within the particular area.

Three: By going on the internet and doing some quick digging you can establish what the cost of living is for any geographic area. Each city and geographic area has cost of living index information readily available via the internet. For example, if you are choosing to move to Cheyenne, Wyoming the cost-of-living index would be much lower than, say, if you are living in Honolulu, Hawaii - where I currently reside. Keep in mind, along with a lower cost-of-living index in Cheyenne, Wyoming, lower wages will also be part of the equation. Conversely, moving from Cheyenne to Honolulu will mean adjusting to a much more significant cost of living but may not mean that your current pay scale will be increased proportionately. Something to think about!

Four: One of the biggest reasons why my wife and I reside in Honolulu is the very low crime rate; therefore, we feel it is a great place to raise our young daughter. There are certainly safer areas in the country, but most do not have the climate and culture that only Honolulu offers. You must think this through carefully, as where ever you choose to reside to pursue new employment opportunities, the local crime rate should be a factor in that decision.

Five: To get a feel of the local business climate, which will be a good indicator of the job market, contact the local chamber of Commerce. See if they have any information they can send your way concerning business growth, rate of business taxation, and any pertinent information that may impact the local business community. Most Chamber of Commerce organizations have a book of members that serves as a list of "who's who" in the business community - you may want to see if you can get a copy of this. Using this particular list can be a starting point in your job search!

Six: If possible, as it may not be depending on your financial situation, take a trip to the area that you are interested in moving to in order to learn about that particular community. You will want to visit all the potential employers that you listed above and introduce yourself; keeping in mind that most employers will not hire any potential employee without said employee residing in their immediate area. Take some time and drive through the neighborhoods that you may be interested in renting/buying a home in. Speak to small business owners to get a feel for the community and to make some business contacts for future networking. Get out of your car and walk the streets to get a sense of what the community feels like as you are surrounded by the businesses and the residences as you explore the area.

In addition to all of the above, you may want to look into purchasing a book that has been available over the last 15 or so years - this book is titled: Places Rated Almanac by David Savageau. Trust me when I say this, this book will more than provide an incredible amount of information on well over 200+ cities across the country, but will also provide an excellent starting point to help you pinpoint a few areas to focus your efforts in. If your local bookstore does not carry this particular book go to Amazon.com as they carry the latest edition in their inventory.
 
To summarize, making a move to a new city to pursue better employment opportunities is a huge, let me repeat that, a huge decision! It not only impacts yourself but also impacts your immediate family, so make sure you do your research and follow through on every part of this research before you finalize a decision and make a move to find new employment.
Good luck!
Dave

Resource ~ Before You Relocate to Find a Job ~ David Lashier

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