Gainful employment and money in your pocket aren’t just ways to pay the bills. The ability to take care of yourself, follow a budget, have a social life and even make future plans are a source of pride and dignity. In light of this, when you find that your present location no longer can offer you gainful employment, put food on your table, or just make you happy, it may be the time to make a move. Once you make that decision, the real questions begin. Where do you go, and how do you get there?
Employment or Educational Prospects
The first thing you can do to cushion the blow of moving is find a job or at least determine your means of getting one eventually. The internet has made the task of looking for employment all over the globe much easier.
Any prospective employer will also be compelled to help you deal with the expenses associated with moving, whether it’s with transportation costs, storage options, or assistance with housing. This is possible whether you’re moving across town or over an ocean. If you’re signing a contract or negotiating employment perks, make sure that this is included. Organizations like Blundells.com are useful for renters, buyers and prospective landlords if your employer needs a resource. If your move is international, your employer will also be compelled to help you with government paperwork that includes working visas and taxes. You can also claim your moving costs at the end of the year as a tax deduction in some circumstances, just make sure you remember that when you efile your tax return for the year.
If you’re a student, or changing careers, you can base your move on the location of schools or training facilities. You might be eligible for a student loan, or even better a bursary or grant that won’t require re-payment. This will help with your moving and living expenses in addition to any school supplies. These might be available locally before you leave or at your destination when you arrive.
Cost of Living
You may be happy with your job and career but unsatisfied with how much your current location is costing. Certain notable cities have become so expensive that there is little else left for food and fun after you’ve paid the rent. Perhaps you have a goal to buy a home, make an investment, or just put away some savings, and that simply isn’t possible when even the basic necessities empty your wallet.
This presents many different possibilities depending on how far you’re willing to go. Just leaving the city for the suburbs might solve your problem, but if you’re keen on currency exchange, then consider an international move. You can take advantage of a much better currency exchange and make more without doing more. For example, if you live in the United States, consider that the Mexican peso is very weak against the dollar. So good, in fact, that one American dollar is usually worth about 16 to 20 pesos. This doesn’t sound like much, but 20 pesos in Mexico can cover small expenses like a cab ride, a bottle of water, or a small bag of fresh fruit. Certainly more than what a dollar will get you in the US. You can also work remotely and get paid in another currency that’s worth more than your native one. Of course, an international move isn’t for everyone, but if you have the aptitude it’s worth considering.
Real Estate
Buying property for yourself or as a future investment is also a common incentive to re-locate. Of course, you’ll also need somewhere to be when you arrive at your destination. This isn’t always about what is more affordable. Sometimes this is more about finding the right market to get in on the ground floor and grow you money. Initially, this kind of research into a market that you might not be familiar with seems overwhelming, but again the internet can come to your rescue. Websites that handle real estate concerns recognize that prospective buyers, renters and landlords need to know about the market as much as they do about location and price.
Quality of Life
The phrase “quality of life” isn’t just about what money can buy or where you live. This is about how you go about your daily life, and probably includes a lot that you take for granted. Subconsciously, this may be the most important deciding factor in your motive to re-locate.
Work is one thing, and home another, but how do you get from here to there? You might be unhappy with the public transit or road conditions where you live. Maybe internet is an important part of your work or private life, and your present location doesn’t offer a satisfactory option. Certain sports and activities require a specific environment, and you may be seeking a ski mountain, an opera house or scuba diving club at your new location.
Happiness is being home, surrounded by the things that mean the most to you. This doesn’t have to be focused on monetary value but it would be naive to suggest that money isn’t almost always a factor. Being able to do and have the things you care about is worth the trouble and expense of relocating. Given the technology and means at your disposal, the possibility of relocation is possible regardless of your income level or education.
Bradley Rose works as a careers adviser and is always keen to share his insights and suggestions for improving your prospects. He is a regular online contributor and writes for a variety of relevant websites.
