With all of the changes we’ve experienced through COVID-19, two things have become abundantly clear: 1) Our friends and family are the most important things to us and 2) Remote working functions pretty well, which means more and more of us can now work from anywhere. So, instead of limiting yourself to your local hiring pool, cast a wider career net and relocate for life, not for work.
Up until now, people have put their source of income first, so that relocating was typically for work reasons. But today, our jobs are so much more flexible that, at least geographically speaking, they no longer need to be the central factor of these kinds of significant decisions. The exciting news is that we can relocate for life, find out where we want to live and let work follow.
Studies show that 14 to 23 million Americans are opting to move due to the increase in remote work. The major cities are seeing the most significant drain, too; as high as 20.6% of those planning to move will be leaving a major city. According to one study, most Millennials say they would relocate for a better work-life balance. These are all people who have realized they can relocate for a better style of life – they may even have been people who had to move to larger cities for work but are now finding they can return to where they’re from and work remotely. So what are the factors to consider when relocating for life, and how can you set yourself up for remote working?
If you’ve previously had to relocate for work, or if you’re landlocked due to your job, you may already realize what a privilege it can be to be able to live anywhere without it affecting your source of income. Below are some benefits to consider if you can relocate for life.
Move Closer to Family, Friends, and Support Systems – If Not Now, When?
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of our close relationships as we have struggled to maintain that closeness from a six-foot distance and virtually. This distance has taught us so much about what really matters in life: being close to family and friends, not only for the fun and the laughter but also because it is so integral to our mental health. Support systems for help with child or elder care.
Balance your Budget – If Not Now, When?
Relocating for life can mean leveling up your standard of living or saving more. One of the top reasons people opt to move is for more affordable housing. Typically, the higher-paying jobs are located in major cities that also have prohibitive housing costs. For decades this has been a barrier to many poor folks searching for better opportunities, making those jobs only available to those who can already afford to pay the exorbitant housing costs.
Now, employers are seeing the benefit of choosing great candidates from a larger pool of remote workers. Likewise, employees can choose budget-friendly accommodations that allow them to make the most of their income, save up or live more luxuriously.
Gain Valuable Life Experience – If Not Now, When?
For many, remote working allows for more life experience. Whether traveling around as a digital nomad or leaving your hometown for the first time, moving can be a great eye-opener bringing valuable life lessons.
Expand your Personal Life and Personal Interests – If Not Now, When?
Relocating for your life can also mean prioritizing hobbies and other interests outside of work. Whether you want to have a hobby farm, or children, or a pottery studio, or maybe you’re a hobby wrestler, and all the best wrestling gyms are in another city…finally we can prioritize the things that ignite and inspire us, which for many people is not necessarily our jobs.
And, of course, promising long-distance relationships need not be as stress-inducing when you can take your work on the road. You can feel free to visit for weeks at a time and even move without the added pressure of finding a new job and losing those work relationships.
Focus on Health – If Not Now, When?
Relocating for life can also be a bit more literal. For those nearing retirement or those with chronic health conditions, the availability of good health care and even the weather can be significant considerations. Having access to good health and well-being is crucial and worth a relocation.
Increase your Career Possibilities – If Now Now, When?
With all of the benefits of remote working and relocating for life, it is essential to remember that remote work can also have profound benefits for your career prospects. As we touched on earlier, employers can now widen the net for recruiting to select better candidates. This means that qualified candidates have more job opportunities, too, rather than being limited by what is local. This transition is crucial for those in highly specialized roles.
How to Tailor your Career Search to Broader Markets
So how do you break into the remote market so you too can realize the benefits of relocating for a better quality of life? Book a call here Career Thinker Calendar we help you create a career marketing campaign targeted at recruiters in your sector – give us a call today to talk about your options.
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