How a Pre-Move Checklist Can Ease Your Career Relocation
The Pre-Move Checklist
Once the excitement of having landed a job in a new city has settled in, there’s a lot to do to make it happen. To thoroughly plan for your move, a checklist is a must. A good pre-move plan will ensure that your transition is smooth and successful.
Your impending career move is exciting but stressful. It can be difficult to plan, especially for a first move. Here are some things to consider, courtesy of Relator Mike McGill of Compass.
Start Early, Start Small
You’d be surprised how many little things you can do months before you have to kick it into high gear. Think ahead, so you don’t end up with too much to do in too little time down the road.
Get organized: buy containers for everything small, and bigger containers to put the small ones in. Clear containers make it easier to find things in them, and waterproof may not be necessary, but attics and basements can leak, so it may be worth it.
Change address and schedule utilities. Changing your address with the USPS is easy and efficient. Fill out the form online or at the post office and mail will be forwarded. Utilities will require a deposit if you are moving to a new area, and you will likely need to schedule a hookup weeks in advance.
Shop around for movers as they may be booked. Surf around to get a sense of average costs. Find a few companies that seem promising and contact them for quotes.
Bob Vila emphasizes the importance of scheduling a home inspection before you buy.
Last Minute
Let’s face it, no matter how much planning and early work you’ve done, there’s going to be a lot more work come crunch time. In the final days before your move, don’t be afraid to enlist help, friends if you can bribe them, or hire temps if you need them, because the time saved may turn out to be worth the added cost.
It’s yard sale time. List on neighborhood message boards. Anything and everything must go.
Save a day for a loving goodbye to your old city. That museum all the tourists go to but you’ve never been because you live here? It’s time to go.
Tie up loose ends at the old job. CNBC notes that you should be sure you leave your employer on a good note. Check in with managers to make sure you can deliver the work you promise in your last days, and do your best to be positive and optimistic during the transition.
Be prepared to make last-minute decisions about what to keep and what to discard when the movers show up and there are still rooms that haven’t been packed yet.
If there are items you just can’t get rid of, arrange for a storage rental facility in the area. A storage space can be especially useful while packing. It lets you get the big important items out early, so you can really assess what’s left.
Speak With a Real Estate Agent
Home costs continue to go up. Some cities are hot, with people wanting to move to them. As you work on securing a place to live, researching average home prices to find affordable areas to move to is always a good idea as you’ll need to line up a mortgage ASAP. Silver Lake in the Los Angeles area, for example, remains an extremely competitive market with the average home sale reaching more than $1.6M, up 26 percent year over year. And properties are only on the market for a median of 28 days.
Particular neighborhoods almost anywhere in the country can cost more. This could be due to proximity to businesses or schools. It’s important to balance these factors in your search for a house.
As someone new to the area, you have the advantage of seeing it with clear eyes. You know why someone would want to move there, so you know what it has to offer. But you’ve also just moved from another city, so you also know what might be lacking. In other words, your new city may offer more than just career opportunities, but entrepreneurial opportunities as well.
If you have to make your move before finding a home to buy, it’s wise to become familiar with homes for rent in the area. You can use a search feature online to narrow your search to homes with the amenities you’re looking for. Renting can make it possible for you to continue your home search while living in your new city.
Find a Good Place for Your Business
A good real estate agent will show you around to the up-and-coming neighborhoods, where you can buy before the neighborhood is hot. These areas will be the best places to look for entrepreneurial opportunities. If you decide to start your own business, or choose to move your current business to a new state, look into local LLC guidelines, for example.
If you’re looking to start a business, an LLC is easier to manage, with less paperwork and lower startup costs. Be sure to hire an LLC formation service to help you get started, and to avoid expensive lawyer fees. Each state has its own unique rules and regulations surrounding LLCs, so check with your state before proceeding.
A New City, a New You
Making a career move to a new city is exciting. It’s a little scary, but you’ll make new friends and have new experiences that wouldn’t have been possible before. Your hard work will pay off when you’re finally settled in in your new home.
Relator Mike McGill of Compass brings a genuine and uplifting energy to the relationships he develops with his clients and delivers a seamless transaction – every step of the way. Team up with Mike today! 310-293-6444
