Relocation resources
Useful links
• Moving.com provides information on mortgage quotes, finding a mover, changing your address and more. Use the personalized moving planner to manage an entire move.
• Visit Homefair.com to compare cost-of-living in various areas. The site also offers links to information on moving services such as finding housing, utilities, etc.
• "Power tools for relocation"
This site offers a salary calculator, free city reports, free school reports, and a relocation crime lab that compares crime statistics in over 6,000 cities.
• Find Your Spot.com provides a quiz for locating the perfect hometown. Once the quiz is completed with personal preferences and interests the site returns information on towns that match the criteria selected.
• "Hassle-free Relocating" (pdf) Tips from a superintendent who recently relocated. (April 2001 GCM)
• "Smooth Moves" Advice from superintendents on what to consider when negotiating a relocation package. (September 2000 GCM)
• Elements of a relocation package Survey of benefits offered by employers.
• Cost of Living Calculator. Find out how much more, or less, essentials like groceries, utilities and healthcare will cost on a city to city basis. |
Sometimes an exciting new job opportunity involves moving to a different area of the country or perhaps to a different country altogether. Whatever the reason, relocating can be stressful and time-consuming.
Making a move to a new location may seem like a daunting task. Some considerations include:
- How will the cost-of-living differ from my current location?
- Will a commute be necessary? How long will the drive be?
- How many trips need to be scheduled for house-hunting? Who pays for those trips?
- Where is the best place for a family to live?
- What options are available as far as schools? Day care?
- Is this a safe area for children?
Suggestions for obtaining information on the local area in preparation for a move are:
- Check the local or regional newspaper for a relocation guide.
- Consider subscribing to the local newspaper to gain knowledge of current events in the area and to get a jump-start on what the new location has to offer.
- Call the local chamber of commerce and economic development council to obtain tax base, labor, crime, school and community statistics. A relocation or community guide packet may also be available. This information may also be obtained from some of the online sources listed below.
Negotiating Relocation Assistance
Relocating can be surprisingly expensive. In addition to the obvious expenses (transporting household goods, travel to the new location, etc.) there are many hidden costs (house-hunting trips, selling commission on the old house, etc.) that often aren't considered when planning a move. According to Tom Tolen, vice president of Relocation Tax Services, "The average cost for a homeowner is $45,000 and for a renter it's about $10,000 to $15,000." Often an employer will provide help with relocation expenses. The following links provide information for negotiating a relocation package with a new employer.