Thinking of relocating? Or have you bagged a fantastic new role in another part of the UK? Here are 5 top tips to help you.
- Consider the pros and cons
The first thing you should do with any big decision is to always weigh out the pros and cons. It’s better still to do this on paper so that you can visualise the difference.
Are you moving for more money? A better job? Is there something about the location that you like? On the flip side, how far away will you be from your friends and family? Is the cost of living more expensive than what you’re used to?
Set aside some time for research and reflection before moving for a job. Going through the exercise of answering these questions will give you a foundation for deciding what’s best for you. If you do your homework, you’ll be making a move – or staying put – with confidence.
- Do your research
Relocating can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area you are moving to. Do as much research as possible about the city/town you’re moving to. Think about everything from public transport/costs of getting to work and amenities, to cost of living and crime rates.
Living costs can be easy to underestimate, so do your research on how much the bills will cost if you want to opt for renting a flat or studio apartment, expect them to be between £200 – £300 per calendar month on top of your rent, depending on where you are moving to. Sites like www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk can be very useful to help you manage your money or understand the cost of living. If you are happy to share a home with other people, then many room- share options are inclusive or rent and this maybe a very effective way to control your cost of living when you first move to a new area. Also think about the length of the rental contract which would suit you best, in some cases rental contracts can be 12 months or longer, in others then can be only 6 months.
Consider all the knowledge you have about where you currently live and work and see how much of that you know about your new destination. Consider websites like Spareroom.co.uk for room rents, local estate agents or online portals like Zoopla.co.uk or rightmove.co.uk
- Visit the place
It is important to visit the place and understand as much as you can about the area before you finally move to the place. Physically see your new home to confirm the pictures you saw online and whether the room or apartment meets your expectations of size and quality. When visiting a property, you can check for damp, storage space, meet the house mates, test the water pressure, view the outside of the property and see how far it is from the local town/amenities.
If you plan your visit you can see several places together and compare properties, you can work out your commute times to work, where the public transport links are, where are the local amenities are for shopping, bring a friend for a second opinion too. Ask the landlord or agent lots of questions about rental requirements and paper work.
- Plan and pack well
Plan and start by preparing pre-move and post-move checklists. To reduce your costs of moving, get free moving boxes from stores, warehouses, supermarkets, and other related places.
Most of the stresses related to moving are around the logistics of finding a new home and moving all the things you need. Decide what you want to take with you and organise it so that when you arrive you can find the things you will need first! Like your employer paperwork, your toothbrush and your suit for that all important first day at work!
Don’t forget to check the required paperwork needed from your new agent or landlord, what will you need to provide them in order to secure your new place to live? What checks will they need to make? Consider everything in advance so the process runs more smoothly.
- Know your Job
Here are 3 handy questions to ask yourself to make sure you have chosen the right job for you.
- How far will my salary go?
It’s unlikely you’re considering a big move for a job if it isn’t offering you more money or greater opportunities. But what you really should be looking at is your salary relative to the cost of living. If the area is expensive to live in will the salary you have been given be enough to cover your costs and allow for enough spare income? What is the percentage of your salary verses rent/bills & other costs like travel? How much is left over and is that enough for you?
Some useful links to get you started are: https://www.moneynest.co.uk/cost-of-living-uk/ and https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
What does the future of the company look like?
There are a couple angles you should research when determining where you think the company will be in the next five to 10 years. First, pull market research on the industry in which the company operates. If the company is public, dig into its financials to gain an understanding of its viability. You should also consider the company’s position in the market, relative to competitors.
- Is there an opportunity to move up in the company?
If you don’t know this already, you should ask your recruiter about the company’s hierarchy and opportunity for advancement if this organization is new to you. To relocate, you may want to see a whole new potential career path unveiled; you certainly don’t want to see a dead end.
When it comes to relocation for work, a lot of things are involved. Starting from searching for a new apartment/room to starting your first day at work. However, all these activities can be less stressful if you have adequately planned for them. Hopefully, some of the tips in this blog have helped you. Good luck with the move!
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