By A. Michael Del Duca
RISMEDIA, August 23, 2007—A new career opportunity sometimes means relocating your family to another city. Careful consideration of various factors, such as your partner’s career, the effect on the children’s educational and recreational activities, and financial constraints all impact the decision to move.
Additional responsibilities crop up when moving to a new home, including getting the house up and running, finding the right school for the kids and getting them acclimated, and getting adjusted to life in a new town. These tasks can be incredibly overwhelming, especially in a new location without the aide of family and friends.
Here are some tips to help relieve the stress of relocation and turn your move into a successful endeavor.
Take your time. As with all moves, there are so many things you need to do once you relocate into your new home. From dealing with utility companies, to finding a new doctor, to unpacking and decorating the new residence, your to-do list may seem endless. Don’t try to accomplish everything at once. Make a list and divide it into three categories: immediate, secondary and down the road. Set your own timetable because you are the boss of this project and the only person you have to please is yourself.
Get out and meet people. More than likely, you won’t know many people in your new community. Besides introducing yourself to neighbors, you can find a place of worship, volunteer in a community organization, join a social club or gym, or just say hello to people.
Reevaluate your career goals. If you had to leave a job behind, check to see if your company offers any employment assistance for relocating partners. Many companies have formal and informal programs, offering as little as resume support to as much as arranging job interviews. If you’ve desired to make a career change, this could perfect opportunity to do so. You may even want to consider an entrepreneurial career that you can take anywhere.
Talk to your real estate professional. Your real estate professional can be a great resource as he or she has a strong understanding of the area you just moved to. They will have insight on the area’s job market and may be able to give you names of career counselors or just help you feel comfortable in your new surroundings.
Most importantly, don’t push yourself by setting unrealistic goals. Moving is a process and it will take time for you to get acclimated to your new home and community. So, make this move not only a golden opportunity for your partner, but for yourself as well.
Mike Del Duca can be reached at 908.464.5200. Prudential New Jersey Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
