Millions of people relocate to a new city or state each year. Our modern world’s global, mobile nature has made relocation more accessible and acceptable. According to moveBuddah, 31 million people move each year, and of these people, almost 11% do so for work.
The workforce is also changing, and more and more companies are offering remote positions, giving employees even more reason and flexibility to move. An UpWork study found that 14 to 23 million Americans plan to relocate due to remote work, primarily from costly cities to more affordable locations. Cities and states are picking up on this trend, and many are attracting new residents by offering incentives for remote workers.
Whether it’s remote or in-person, you’re managing two different types of stress when moving for work: the excitement (and anxiety) of a new position as well as the thrill (and fear) of moving to a new city. Even when it’s a move you’re excited to make, it can still be stressful. If you’re looking at relocation for a job, here are eight tips to help you tackle the task.
1. Carefully Plan Your Move
When moving for a job, you might only have a few weeks to plan your move — but that doesn’t mean you should rush the process. Wondering how to plan a move to another state? Here are some ways you can make surviving the move a bit easier.
- Figure out how you’ll make the move. Are you renting a moving truck? Packing up what you can in your car and making a drive? Catching a flight and having someone ship your belongings? Hiring movers? Planning out how you plan to get yourself (and your belongings) to your new city will help give you a better idea of what you can and can’t take with you when packing.
- Find housing. You need a place to live until you get settled — even if temporarily. Scour apartment sites, Facebook groups, and other housing sources to find a new lease or potential roommates looking to fill a room.
- Calculate your moving expenses. Budgeting is vital while moving, so you want to make sure you know how much you can expect to spend. Add up costs like deposits, moving services, and hotels if it’ll take multiple days to make your move.
- Take care of utilities and mail before you move. Canceling your utilities (like cable, Wi-Fi, and electricity) and forwarding your mail before you move means you won’t have to scramble to take care of it from your new state.
- Learn what you need to do after the move. Look into new resident requirements for your new state, such as when you need to register your car (usually within 30 to 90 days of your move) and any other administrative tasks you might need to handle.
2. Look for Company Support
Many companies help with the cost of moving for a new job, whether you’re a new hire joining the company or an established employee taking a position in another location. If relocation assistance wasn’t discussed when the job offer was made, don’t be afraid to bring it up. The worst they can say is no. You can also ask if CORT Destination Services is a company partner to see if you can get help with finding your living space documentation to banking to schools to your actual living space. Just keep in mind that relocation assistance might not apply as much to remote positions as it does to in-person or hybrid roles.
After you’ve calculated the expenses you expect to incur as part of the move, approach your employer to see what kind of relocation reimbursement they provide. If they do offer reimbursement, double-check to see if you need to use a specific professional moving company in order to qualify. Additionally, you can ask for help with the cost of temporary housing while you look for a permanent place to live.
3. Don’t Rush into Housing
Chances are good you will have plenty of housing options to consider in your new city, so allow yourself time to research what’s available. Look at factors like safety, walkability, nearby activities, and what kind of public transportation is available.
If you’re looking at commuting, check to see how long it would take to commute to work and back home in rush-hour traffic. That can make a big difference in how much you enjoy living there. If you have a family (or plan to start one soon), look at what kind of schools are available and how many parks are in the area.
Many experts recommend renting when you first move to a new city so you can have time to learn the area and decide what neighborhood is right for you. Programs like CORT’s relocation services and ApartmentSearch can help with finding the right place to live.
4. Get (and Stay) Organized
Staying organized is the key to a low-stress move. Start by sorting through your things and deciding what you’re going to keep, toss, and donate to charity.
Make checklists of what needs to be done, and create a calendar of when it needs to be done. Marking items off the list will give you a sense of satisfaction, help keep you on track, and ensure you remember to complete all the details, no matter how big or small.
5. Don’t Put Off or Drag Out Packing
Time is usually of the essence when you’re relocating for a job, which means you might be crunched when packing. Packing isn’t a task you want to put off, and once you start, you should get it done as soon as possible. Below are some packing tips for moving in a hurry.
- Organize supplies like moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers so you know where everything is when you need it.
- Keep what you can inside of furniture. If you’re taking dressers, nightstands, chests, or other items with drawers or lids, there’s no need to empty them. Keeping your belongings inside the furniture means there’s less for you to pack and unpack.
- Don’t put too much thought into packing. When you’re planning your move, it’s crucial to stay organized. But being organized is less critical when it comes to putting things in boxes. For the sake of time, just start filling boxes with whatever can fit. You can do the sorting as you unpack and have more time.
6. Meet New People and Make Friends
One of the hardest parts of moving to a new city is not knowing anyone. You have friends and co-workers you’re familiar with and maybe even like at your current job. A move means starting over, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely experience.
It can be challenging to know how to make friends in a new city, particularly if you work from home. You can make friends with people at work in an office setting, which often still takes some time. You can start cultivating friendships outside of work by joining a gym, attending community events, and volunteering.
7. Make It Feel Like Home
Moving to a new city alone can be daunting and lonely, so creating a living space that you like is crucial. You want to feel like you’re genuinely coming home. Decorating your new home in a style that makes you feel happy and welcome can turn it from a living space into a home and help ease any blues that might come with making a big move.
8. Set Up Your Home Office
Having a cozy office is just as important as creating a living space that feels homey. After all, if you’re working remotely, you’re spending at least eight hours of your day in your office. Don’t skimp on the furniture. Be sure to find a comfortable desk and chair you don’t mind spending hours in, and decorate your office with things that bring you joy. Think colorful rugs, family photos, funky wall art, fun knick-knacks, and chic lamps.
Furnish Your New Digs with CORT Furniture Rental
Moving away from home for a relocation can be a stressful time. When juggling new responsibilities and navigating a new city, reduce stress by opting for furniture rental. CORT’s Move-in-Ready packages can help you create a homey, stylish space without having to haul your old, bulky furniture cross country. Select the package that suits your style and space, and we’ll handle the rest. We’ll deliver and set up your furnishings before you move in and take them away when you’re ready to move out — reducing your moving-day stress.
Ready to enjoy a stress-free relocation? Drop by your local CORT showroom or browse furniture packages online.
