Have you been considering a big move? You may be finding that where you live has very few jobs in your field, low pay, low job security, or a number of other negative factors. The perks being offered by some companies are encouraging qualified candidates to look outside their area for positions throughout the world. What makes certain market areas more favorable are the job market, work-life balance, job security, possibilities of advancement, and salary versus cost of living.
Here are the top cities to look into if you are considering relocating.
Miami, Florida
Referred to as “The Magic City,” Miami is one the most vibrant metro areas in the U.S. The best perks about being in the Miami area are a work-life balance and job security advancement. It is a major international business hub in the world with each neighborhood adopting its own cultural identity. The area has countless beaches to relax on as well as Biscayne National Park and the Everglades to explore. The one thing the area does not have going for itself is the salary versus cost of living area. Miami is an expensive place to live, which can be expected because it is such a desirable place to live. The climate in Miami makes up for the high cost of living for most people. Average lows in the 70s is not something that can be found in many places.
Orlando, Florida
Who doesn’t want to live in the same vicinity as seven of the world’s major theme parks? While a dollar goes slightly further in this central Florida city, it is still reasonably expensive. This tourist city is a great place for young professionals to go for internship opportunities and strong starting career positions with a strong ability to advance. While the tourist side of Orlando provides the job opportunities, there is the old part of town that provides the serene, picturesque portion. Home prices are below the national average although food and health care costs are in line with the national average. There is no state income tax, which makes Orlando all the more desirable as a place to relocate.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Most people think of golf when they hear of Scottsdale. The Arizona city has access to internships and low transportation costs helping add to a strong employment growth, higher median annual salary, and top employee benefits. As a tourist destination, the city puts a lot of effort into outdoor activities, sports, museums, and other attractions. The weather is surprisingly mild for being a desert community. The temps are generally in the 80s but it is a dry heat, making it much more tolerable. The school districts are ranked as some of the best in the state. The downtown area is known for its nightlife, encompassing a “life-work-play” lifestyle. There is a strong art scene but the tech sector is starting to take advantage of the environment with Yelp and Weebly opening up offices.
Plano, Texas
This Texas town located 20 miles north of Dallas may be smaller than other towns in Texas but it ranks at the top for the number of full-time versus part-time employees. The town also ranks near the top for disability-friendly employers, housing costs, and family-friendly atmosphere. Money magazine refers to the town as a “corporate center with a small-town vibe,” due to it being the home of several corporations like Frito-Lay, Liberty Mutual, JPMorgan Chase, Toyota and J.C. Penney, but only having a population of around 275,000. The city has a low crime rate and low taxes.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh has a low cost of living compared to reported salaries plus a strong job market. Perhaps the most enticing part of Raleigh is its proximity to Durham and Chapel Hill, an area known as the Triangle. The use of three big cities adds to the economic diversity provided by several colleges and research/tech companies. The area tends to attract young, educated professionals with young families. The city boasts many green parks, museums, and a growing art and music scene. Raleigh and Durham ranked No. 7 on the U.S. News Best Place to Live list. Average monthly rents come in at $912 and home prices at $220,000, with an average commute of 25 minutes. Temperatures range from the 70s to the high 40s, making for a very mild climate.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Surprisingly, Sioux Falls has one of the lowest, if not the lowest unemployment rate in the country. There is a strong work-life balance in the city, making it a good place for families. The average home price in Sioux Falls is $152,000 with an average commute of fewer than 20 minutes. South Dakota has low taxes and business-friendly state laws, attracting companies like Wells Fargo, HSBC, and Citibank, who have all established large processing operations in the city. The unemployment rate is at half the national average and continues to improve. The negatives of the area are cold winters, low ethnic diversity, and a relatively isolated location.
Salt Lake City, Utah
This city has become a hot-spot for tech start-ups, putting it near the top of the rankings for job opportunities, low unemployment, and industry variety. The city nestles along the Wasatch Mountains and five national parks. Salt Lake City ranks as No. 10 on the U.S. News best places to live in the country. Average commute times are less than 30 minutes and the average monthly rent is $900. The weather is mild with temps ranging in the 60s for a high and lows in the 40s. There is the Frontrunner train that runs 88 miles total, going north and south of Salt Lake City. The train stations offer free parking and are within walking distance to many popular areas. The city is also the host of the Sundance Film Festival and offers a number of other attractions.
So now that you see where you should be looking for a new job, you may be wondering how you go about applying for a job when you don’t live in the same city. It may be assumed that hiring managers won’t consider someone that is not local or within commuting distance but that assumption is wrong, especially for certain positions. An executive out-of-state applicant might be more appealing than an entry-level candidate that is local. Hiring managers understand that higher-level candidates are more likely to relocate so this will bring in more top talent that is not located in the area.
Start by making a plan of where you want your career to go. Decide if changing careers or just employers is an option. Is there a specific place you want to live or are you open to where you might work? How soon are you willing to relocate? Write a job description of the kind of job you would want, including benefits, salary, responsibilities, colleagues, skills, workplace culture, and physical work environment.
Complete thorough research of the area you are considering moving to. Is the housing market affordable? What are the transportation options? Are there activities that match your interests and hobbies? You want to make sure the city you are considering relocating to is a good match for what you want out of life. You don’t want to ruin your reputation by quitting a new job that you moved for soon after getting it. A relocation should be a long-term commitment, something that you need to convince the hiring manager about. A visit to the city is the best way of determining if it fits your needs. Drive around to get an idea of the companies located in the city, neighborhood dynamics, and more.
Once you have decided on a target city, use your network to find connections in that city. Use social media to find groups in the area that you can join, even ones that are related to your hobbies. Direct knowledge from anyone that already lives in the area can be an excellent source of leads.
Applying for a job outside of your area can be expensive. Luckily a lot of the interviewing process can be done by using technology like Skype or Google Hangout. At some point though you will have to visit the company in person. That requires travel expenses, lodging, and food. Multiply this by the number of applications that result in interviews and the cost adds up.
While there are many risks associated with relocating, a better career outlook may be worth it for you. The right opportunity is out there, you just have to find it.
See the following articles for more information:
- Finding Your Calling: A Checklist
- 6 Steps To Making A Hard Choice In Your Career
- 5 Steps to Making A Bold Career Move
