What about Relocation?

Recently heard:

“I was working happily at my desk, when a recruiter from Kansas City called me about a wonderful job, but I don’t know about relocation.”

And—

“Since George had his heart attack, the adult children want us to relocate.  I’d like to move, but I’m not sure the timing is right.”

The answer requires careful thought before calling Atlas Vanlines.  Challenges I faced with the candidates, when I recruited and helped relocate them, were occasionally funny, while others excruciatingly challenging.  I recall the young family whose baby furniture was demolished when the moving van had a wreck.  It took weeks before the baby had a decent crib.  Another couple moved with six screeching cats in cages in their van, driving from Northern Minnesota to Dallas.  And I doubt the movers enjoyed the grand piano they moved from New Hampshire.  How do you decide about relocation?

Finances

Texas has a low cost of living, no state income taxes, healthy business atmosphere and warm climate, which may appeal to people who suffer through dreadful ice and snow.  But take a look at insurance costs.  Take a look at healthcare.  Will George find a doctor who will take Medicare patients?  Compare apples to apples.

I like www.homefair.com to analyze the financials.  If you simply look at costs, serious errors may result as emotions and personalities must factor into the mix.

Emotions

Does your spouse like change?  How about the kids?  Do you have a child with autism or other medical issue?  Of course there are resources in all parts of the country to assist with disabilities and moving an aging parent, but ripping kids out of the schools they attended for years can be positive or negative, depending on how the move is managed.

Moving an elderly parent creates additional worries.  If everyone shows mild unhappiness, yet excitement, you’re on the right road. Teenagers will be especially distraught about leaving friends and if you have a senior in high school, I’d wait a year.

Companies usually won’t wait to fill a position for an extended time.  The candidate may need to forge ahead, which is not a bad idea anyway, to see how the company culture and his or her skills fit the new job.

I’m opinionated about waiting until kids finish the school year.  Many children will want to sit in the house, feeling sorry for themselves, if you move them at summer break.  Moving kids before school dismissal for the summer is optimum as they can start making friends before the new neighbors leave for vacations.

We moved with a house full of kids, when my husband joined a telecom company years ago.  Often I asked the whiners how long they needed to complain and set the timer.  They could mope and wail only that length of time that day.  Worked for us…well, it sometimes worked for us!

If you attend a large church, which you love, in your current community, you need to look for a similar one, as the transition will be easier if you can find places which feel like home.

Finding a new home is difficult in some areas.  Currently Dallas needs more inventory but new homes are rapidly blossoming  like  dandelions, both in the suburbs and nearby communities.  In places, such as North Dakota where many jobs exist, housing is more than difficult and your skills may not match.

You Decide

Each person reacts to relocation in his or her own way.  One night when I taught a relocation adjustment class, a lady sat through the session crying big, snowflake sized tears.  I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I simply asked her how far she’d moved.  “Ten miles,” she sniffed.  Regardless how far you move, there is a grief process attached to relocation.

So when your daughter tries to persuade you to move to Alabama, or a recruiter wants you to move to Kansas City, know that the change requires looking much deeper than the financial aspect.

As the economy improves, companies may relocate top candidates.  If you want a job, you may want and need to relocate.  Moving teenagers or other relatives requires fortitude but the effort can reap great rewards.  So, if a recruiter or maybe your son wants you to move, look carefully behind the door before you close it.

Thanks to Kelly Smith for suggesting the topic and sending me an excellent article.

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