3 Advantageous Benefits of Relocating

Positive lessons and must-haves during a big change

Overall, around one-in-five U.S. adults (22%) say they either changed their residence due to the pandemic or know someone who did, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. While people relocating generally fall under the categories of work, family, or school, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated relocation numbers.

And that makes sense, as I contemplate my friends in graduate school who moved home and engaged in remote learning after their universities closed. Or another friend who refused to pay the high, and now unnecessary, rent in Manhattan and immediately ended her lease to move elsewhere.

With my peers relocating, I reminisced to my move two years ago from Southern California to Seattle. Some relocations occur out of necessity in contrast to my “want” of a move, but both share common benefits.

1. Financial gain — making more or saving more

It boils down to two scenarios. Will you make more money when you relocate? Will you save more money when you relocate?

I easily received a 50% salary increase after my move. While my living expenses slightly increased, I managed to save more money overall because of the substantial salary increase. While few of my friends or acquaintances have job hopped to receive higher pay, they are relocating to save on their expenses. Even the little costs add up, with less money going towards fuel for their daily commute.

It’s important to gain a different perspective on the cost of living. No state income tax in Washington (thank you extra 10% in my paycheck) led to a substantial difference in savings. And a lower cost of living is a major reason why individuals jump at the opportunity to work remotely from a cheaper city.

The cost of living in California is outrageously expensive. But locals grow accustomed to this standard of living and sharing an apartment with multiple roommates is the norm, even after graduating from college.

Even after moving, I had conversations with executives who said, “Oh, that’s an expensive area you moved from!” Perhaps people get that perception from shows like Laguna Beach or Real Housewives of Orange County, but they’re not completely wrong. And reevaluating, I guess I did live in an expensive area, but I didn’t realize the bubble I remained in until after moving.

2. Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone

Change can suck. A lot of people are resistant to change and are afraid of the unknown or uncertainty, myself included. I lived in the same area for over two decades. Consequently, relocating posed risks and inevitable changes left and right.

If you’re relocating away from family and friends, you are forcing yourself out of your social circle. I had established my core friend groups from elementary school through college. They were all local and a simple text way to meet up for dinner and drinks.

The immediate shift most employees experienced included transitioning to work remotely instead of the typical office setup. Adjusting to a home office setting with constant IT problems, your significant other possibly in the same space, and kids interrupting your Zoom calls presented other challenges.

The positive outcome is that when someone asks me “Can you stay here? Or will you go back home?” I can confidently say that I feel like I can live (almost) anywhere. And it seems that the positive result from employees relocating is that the remote work is here to stay.

3. Career advancement

For me, relocating to the Greater Seattle area presented favorable career opportunities. I managed to land a role that worked closely with management and clients instead of an internal or administrative role like my past work history. In my early career, prospective employers rarely wanted to take a risk on an entry-level employee when they had multiple candidates with years of experience in the pipeline.

Now, with companies more open to hiring positions that work remotely 100%, employees can choose from a larger number of organizations to work for. Tech giants Facebook and Twitter announced their plans to have employees work from home as the new normal, even after the pandemic ends. Likewise, employers have a larger pool of candidates to choose from instead of only people who are willing to relocate to a commutable distance within the company’s offices.

Takeaway

Deciding to jump into the unknown can present you with worthwhile opportunities in personal finance, perspective, and growth. I found a job that I love and surprise myself with the growth in so many areas of my life.

For people who made the move straight out of high school to college, the transition may not impose as difficult of a challenge. And a similar feeling may propel you to take the risk again to better your life. If you are considering a relocation, now is the time to plan for it, with multiple advantages simply waiting for you.