After College Experience (ACE)

Relocating After Graduation

Deciding to relocate to another city or state after graduation is a big decision. Follow these key steps when making the leap:

Know the Numbers

Before moving, compare the cost of living between your current and your desired destination to determine if your new salary will adequately cover your expenses. While housing will take the biggest bite out of your budget, you will need to consider other expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and taxes. You can crunch the numbers by using free online tools like CNNs Cost of Living Calculator, which lets you compare the cost of living between locations, and PayScale, which provides salary profiles for positions around the country.

Visit Before You Move!

Make sure you visit the area! You want to do what I would call a "planning trip". Make sure you enjoy the city, drive around, do some touristy stuff, explore the different neighborhoods and pockets that the city has to offer. Use the trip to identify apartment complexes you might want to live in and get to know the Transporation situation. Also use the planning visit to set up informational interviews with companies and people in the area. This can help you network within the new community and increase your chances of finding a job out there.

Budget, Budget Budget!

Moving can be expensive so make sure you create a budget. If you can write it down and add it up - you can get a better idea of what to expect financially when you do move. Determine the average rent per month for the apartment buildings that interest you, calculate an average entry-level salary based on your industry, and determine how much you will need for food, gas, and entertainment. Microsoft Excel provides a bunch of great budget templates to get you started. Also consider using apps such as Mint.com, or PearBudget.com to keep track of your spending.

 

“Bridge” the Gap

If money is tight and your savings are low, you might consider a "bridge" job. This is a job that will hold you over until you find what you are looking for. If you work for a chain retail store or restaurant, perhaps they can help you transfer to another location in the area you want to move. During your planning trip, grab some "bridge" job applications.