9 Essential Tips When Relocating for a New Job

Many in today’s generation are actively looking for job opportunities that are farther away from home. In the Philippines, for example, job hiring in Metro Manila attracts candidates from both near and faraway provinces in the country due to the high compensation on average, as well as the convenience and quality of life in the city.

While working close to where you’re from might be the ideal scenario, sometimes, a position in another city or region will offer better benefits and career growth opportunities that you simply can’t turn down. If you’re planning to accept a position in a metropolitan area like Manila or anywhere else in the world, then your next step would be to prepare for your relocation. Knowing just how challenging your move might be, here are a few things you should know before you make the big leap to move to a new place.

9 Essential Tips When Relocating for a New Job

1. Research New Places

Every city has its neighborhoods with their own unique charm and community. When moving to a new city for a new job, you not only want your home to be near work, but you also want to pick a community with a rich sense of community, good places to eat, and cool amenities nearby for you to make the most of your experience.

Take the time to research your new city to find the safest place for you to live that will also make the move more enjoyable for you. Being able to pick up some of your favorite hobbies, dine at restaurants that serve your favorite cuisines, and access all the essentials within a short walk or drive will be key to ensuring that this new place feels like home for you.

You might pair up with a realtor to get insights into the best places to live for you. Or you can do your own research by reading forums like Reddit to get an inside look at what this new city will be like to get you excited about your big move for your new role.

2. Get a Feel for the Place

Before you move to a new city, it’s always best to visit the location to get a feel for the place. You might do this organically when searching for house rentals or for purchasing a property there. But you can also do this by spending a weekend at a nearby hotel, and making an effort to do some of the things you typically do.

For example, you might go to the local gym to workout and feel out the vibe. Or you could try different restaurants nearby. You might go for a walk in the neighborhood to do some window shopping.

Doing these things will also help you learn pretty quickly what the culture is like in this new city. Do people smile and wave when walking past you or do they hurry on by without making eye contact? Do people feel welcoming and inviting, making you more excited about your new job and move?

3. Create a List of Pros and Cons

Before your move, it’s important to make a list of pros and cons. Since you’ve got a job lined up, you want to ensure you settle in as seamlessly as possible. You might decide to make a list of all the great things you’re looking forward to, to generate some excitement to ease those nerves. And you might make a list of cons to help you plan ahead to figure out workarounds.

Cons don’t have to be deal breakers. For example, when I moved to a new city, I couldn’t find a doctor in my neighborhood because of a super long waiting list, so I had to do research to find a doctor in another neighborhood within the city and found someone who was a good fit. The cons allow you to prepare and make adjustments to help you better adapt once you’re more settled in. It’s more about planning ahead rather than canceling plans altogether.

4. Ask If Your New Employer Offers a Relocation Subsidy

The topic of where you currently reside will most likely have come up as early as during your job interview. In particular, the hiring manager will probably ask if you’re open to relocating to their city should you be accepted for the job.

If you are and they’ve been given a go signal to hire you, then ask for a follow-up conversation to see if their company offers relocation subsidies. So long as you ask politely, there’s no reason to feel ashamed about asking whether you can be accommodated. The best case scenario is that you can score a financial benefit that will make it easier for you to move.

Even if they don’t offer such a subsidy, you can still ask for relocation support through other means. For example, the company may be able to recommend low-rent dormitories for employees or connect you with a trustworthy landlord in the area to help you look for a new place.

For the most part, companies that require relocation, typically do offer financial assistance with relocation, so be sure to get in writing how much that’s going to be before signing your offer letter. If you’ve already signed your offer letter, make sure to still get an email confirming how much the company will pay to help you relocate to this city.

5. Budget Your Moving Expenses

It’s no secret that moving can be expensive. You won’t only be paying for rent (often with an advance deposit); you’ll also need to pay movers to help transport your belongings and even buy new furniture for your place if needed. To make sure your expenses don’t spiral out of control, create a budget for the essentials. Which ones are crucial, and which ones stand for items that can be bought at a later time? This lets you narrow down what needs to be done to make your new place comfortable enough to live in without unnecessarily overspending on things.

You may not be able to help spending a lot upfront for big expenses such as rent, utilities, furniture, and groceries in your first month in the city. But in succeeding months, learn to adapt eventually through strict budgeting. Account for your essentials, but also set aside a budget for emergencies.

6. Pinpoint the Essentials Near Your New Place

Being in a new city also means having to familiarize yourself with where the essential establishments are, which includes the market, food chains, the bank, the hospital, and of course your workplace. It’s important to allot some time between moving in and your first day at work so that you can get accustomed to going area. See if there are any food chains or eateries within walking distance from your place, and figure out the commuting route to the grocery store. This ensures that you won’t waste time circling around the neighborhood trying to find key establishments. The same goes for your workplace—you wouldn’t want to be running late on your first day. Do a test run of your route from your place to the office and gauge your travel time to make sure you won’t be caught off-guard during your first week at work. Don’t be hesitant to do a practice test with your daily coffee run to estimate how long getting to work will take in your normal every day morning routine.

7. Start Building Connections

Living away from your family and friends can be tough, but that doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the time. Make it a goal to make new connections and build friendships with the people in your new area. You can start with your co-workers, but also try to extend a greeting or two to your neighbors. Not only will this make life in the city happier; you’ll also have people to rely on in case of emergencies. Likewise, befriending locals can help you learn the ins and outs of the city better.

A good place to meet people is the gym, especially if you start going regularly. Just smile happily while going about your regular routine to help give people a positive first impression of you. The more they see you, the more they’ll start doing small talk and it’ll eventually spiral into something bigger like a meaningful friendship. To make connections, aim to be a positive and uplifting person around your workplace and new city to make it easier to turn strangers into friends.

8. Discuss Expectations with Your New Employer

Don’t forget to discuss your employer’s expectations with them as well. This includes clarifying your work schedule, the details of your job, company policies you need to adhere to while working onsite, and so on. This is a crucial part of moving into a new city for work because you’ll want to make sure you maximize your stay and be worth the investment that’s been put into your employment.

When thinking about your new job, aim to make your boss’ life easier. Help them by taking stuff off their plate. Hit the targets or goals your team has set. Bring a positive and growth mindset to the workplace and be open to growing as a person and employee regardless of any critical feedback you learn. Aim to uplift your new team members to keep the environment at work positive.

9. Try to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Now that you’re already in a new place, don’t be afraid to try out more new things. Living in a new city means being able to try out new experiences, whether that means tasting local delicacies, integrating yourself into a new church or hobby group, or simply creating a new workout routine for yourself in a new gym or in a local park.

Moving and starting a new job at the same time is sure to be an overwhelming experience. Give yourself ample time to relax and unwind so that you don’t burn out. Having a good work-life balance in your new city will help ensure you get to enjoy your time at work and when relaxing during your time off.

Conclusion

With enough preparation and the right mindset for it, you’ll be able to make the most out of your new living experience while enjoying your new job in the process. Hopefully, the tips in this article will make it easier for you to adjust to your new place and find fulfillment in your new job. If you’re still on the hunt for a great new role, you can sign up for Huntr today to build your resume, track your jobs and interviews, and more.