You’ve just accepted a great new job, and although it entails a relocation, you know the position and the new location suit you perfectly.
Even though you know this is the right move, it won’t come without some stress. You need to find a new place to call home, learn how to navigate a different town, master your job, build a support network, and if you have a family, find schools for your kids and perhaps a job for your spouse or partner.
The great news is that your employer recognizes your value and wants to make your corporate relocation as smooth as possible. But there are some things you can do to make the transition easier.
- Make lists! Organization is the key to a successful move. It might sound old-school, but we suggest buying a small binder and divider pages. Label the pages into categories that are important to you, for example, “new home,” “different town,” “schools,” “travel,” “expenses,” etc. Then start populating the pages with lists of things you need to do. Your Personal Move Manager will make sure you and your move stay on track, but if you write everything down, you will remember even the smallest detail of what you need to do.
- Understand your relocation package. Every person and every relocation are unique. Your Personal Move Manager will explain your benefits and how your company’s program works. Some, but not all companies, allow for some flexibility in benefits to meet your specific needs. If you have questions, an issue or a particular need, consult your counselor, the information you’ll be given and the relocation company’s transferee website/app.
- Research. Your Personal Move Manager and the destination real estate agent will provide a lot of information on your new area, and the relocation company will likely have a useful online tool and/or app. With these tools and your own web research, you can to begin understand what your new area offers, types of neighborhoods, school ratings and recreational facilities. There might even be some town chat rooms and blogs you can visit to get a feel for what the people are like and any local issues.
- The bottom line. Your Personal Move Manager and destination area real estate agent will also help to direct you to homes that meet your budget and needs, but you can certainly start exploring online on your own. Every town has its own cost-of-living and personality, and getting to know the contenders in advance can save valuable time on a house-hunting trip. If you need to move quickly and really aren’t sure if or where you want to buy, consider renting initially. This allows you to really get to know the greater area before making a commitment.
- Be social! If you have friends or relatives who have been through a corporate relocation, ask them about it. And ask your new co-workers for advice. Where do they live? What do they like or dislike about their town? Have they found a good doctor and dentist? Where are the great restaurants? The best supermarkets? How is their commute to work? MeetUp is a great way to find people in your new area with the same interests or hobbies—everything from meditation sessions to long-distance running clubs. Building a social network before you live in an area will make any transition that much easier, providing you with the peace of mind that you will find new friends who will share your new life.
We can’t promise these simple tips will remove all of the stress of a move, but they can make the transition just a little easier.
