Getting a better job opportunity is exciting, but it takes a lot of effort to make a move to a new city, state, or even country. It gets more complicated when you have a family who will need to relocate with you. It might not be easy convincing your kids, spouse or partner to embrace a new life far away from the life they know. I moved post college to a new city and state that I knew one person in so I’ve got a little insight but would love to share some gotchas that young professionals should be thinking of. We’re seeing more and more folks relocate, especially during the era of remote work during COVID – so I thought this would be a timely post!

Photo Credit Skylar Kang from Pexels

Bring your treasures with you

Its hard starting life from scratch or getting rid of belongings you’ve grown attached to. For instance, you may want to bring along the family car because it’s been with you for a long time, and it efficiently serves your family needs. Or there might be other large ticket items that you would love to bring along with you. The problem is, how do you ship it safely and conveniently to your new location. Check out https://carsrelo.com/ for more information on how to ship your car or any other vehicle you would want to relocate with. It’s always a decision of whether or not to bring a beloved item with you, but know that sometimes it’s worth the effort to have the item come with!

Getting Used to a New Culture

Children adapt quickly to new cultures and languages, but it takes adults more time and effort to learn a new language or accept a new life. Don’t be hard on yourself but take each day as it comes and be willing to learn. It doesn’t mean that you forget your home culture or language, but the more you try to understand the new culture, the faster you will fit in. You may even end up enjoying the culture. Think of the work opportunity as an extended vacation in a foreign land.

Getting Over the Life You’ve Left Behind

You’ve left behind family, friends and events and it’s going to be hard not to think about them. To make things easier, stay in touch with loved ones but get new exciting activities in your new home. The more your mind is engaged, the less you will miss your former life. Children too may find it hard making friends but encourage them to check out activities they love in the new place. If they play soccer, check schools that offer the sport and enroll them. It will be easier to make friends when you have a shared interest. Technology has been such a gift, especially during COVID and for many friends and family, we FaceTime / Zoom so often that I don’t feel like we’re that far apart!

Investing in Your Earnings

Now that you are making more money, you would want to invest it, but don’t know how to do it in the new locale. It’s not easy to invest back at home unless you have trusted people you can work with. As hard as it seems, don’t let this stop you from investing. Check the investment opportunities back home that you can start even when abroad. Check real estate opportunities, buy index funds or start an online business. With the global economy, investing doesn’t have to stop when you leave home!

As you settle down in the new area, life becomes more manageable as you make new friends and adopt a new way of life. You may even end up liking it better than home! Mrs. Money and I certainly have, we’ve been in this new state for 9 years, it feels like home and we actually don’t have plans to go back to our ‘home’!

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