Seven Essential Tools For Evaluating A Relocation

When deciding on relocation for a new job, carefully evaluate the community and make sure you understand the financial implications of the move.

Let’s say your dream job comes along tomorrow, but with a catch—it entails a relocation across the country.  How would you go about deciding if the move would be right for you and anyone relocating with you?

When you’re evaluating a new job that requires relocation, there are many factors to consider. In addition to evaluating the organization’s culture, reputation, and financial health, along with the boss, team, advancement potential, and compensation package, you’ll want to carefully consider whether the new community is right for you and whether the move makes financial sense.

As executive recruiters, we sometimes encounter candidates who fail to do enough due diligence prior to a move because they’re so excited about the job opportunity. This can lead to costly mistakes or dissatisfaction down the road, so we advise carefully evaluating the decision prior to accepting an offer.

Relocation Tools For Evaluating A New Community and Moving Costs:

City Comparison Tool  (Sperling’s Best Places) – Evaluate how two locations compare in nearly a dozen categories including population, cost of living, crime rate, and climate.

Walk Score – Determine how walkable a neighborhood is to restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, schools, parks, and more.

Cost of Living Comparison – Enter your salary and this calculator determines how much more (or less) you need to maintain your same standard of living.

Great Schools – Access school rating information including parent ratings, reviews, and test scores.

Moving Cost Calculator – Estimate the cost of interstate moving in the U.S.

Mortgage Calculator – Estimate how much house you can afford.

Job Offer Evaluator – Compare compensation packages accounting for the cost of living and tax differences.

Tax Rates – Learn what your individual state income tax rates would be.