By Cynthia M Piccolo
A move is a big deal, even, as I have found, when it is (literally) just around the corner. Obviously, there are miscellaneous hassles involved in any move that we rise above (like being in my new condo for two weeks and still lacking a bathroom sink). But on a larger scale, relocation is sort of like plastic surgery: if your expectations are not realistic, you’ll be unhappy with the results.
What is your motivation for wanting to relocate? Is it a lifestyle change? Few places have it all, so prioritize your requirements and then decide what you are willing to compromise. For a start, check out employment options in locations that have activities or environments you enjoy. If you’re a bit of an open slate, you may also want to take a fast quiz at a site called Find Your Spot. The test asks a series of questions to narrow down your choices and includes criteria such as Climate, Art and Culture, Education and Facilities, Recreation and Leisure, Size and Geography, Lifestyle and Organizations, Religion, and Housing and Taxes.
Is the motivating factor cost of living? Remember, lower cost of living may mean a lower salary and poor community services. Therefore, make sure that the new community has the amenities you can’t do without, and, if you have children, that the schools are good.
Are you moving for a better job? Even if the job is better, does the community have what you and your family need? If you have a spouse who will need work, would the move be beneficial for them? Conversely, if you are moving because your spouse has to, the good news is that healthcare professionals, unlike many other professions, can probably find a job wherever they go.
Are you going through a traumatic life change such as a divorce? It’s a mistake to think that relocation will solve your problems. And the chance that it will make financial problems (such as those caused by the loss of a spouse’s income) disappear is slim. So, seriously consider whether it is better for you to stay where you already have a job and the support of a circle of friends and/or family, or if it is better to move on and create a new life. If you do move, consider places that have the community, cultural, recreational, and employment situations conducive to the lifestyle that will make you happy.
Once you have made the decision to move and have identified a new location, try to make personal contacts in advance of moving. Perhaps a friend, former colleague, or family member lives in the area(s) in which you are interested? If you think and plan ahead, the transition will be more manageable, any moving hassles, like missing sinks, will be easier to deal with, and any move more likely to be successful.
