How to move to a new city without a job

You’re planning a move – to a new city and a new life. Whether you’re moving for love, family, lower cost of living, better climate, or in pursuit of your dreams, it’s hard to make the big step without a job lined up. There are many risks involved and many things than can go wrong; there are many difficult decisions to make and arduous tasks to deal with. Yet, you’ll get to live where you want to live and will be able to pursue your happiness your own way – and you may even manage to land the job of your dreams in the city of your dreams. You just need to know what you’re doing.

Moving without a job is a great challenge – to make the transition successfully and with as little risk as possible, you need to play your cards right. And that means to prepare well, plan in advance, and start searching for a job before your arrival in the new city.

So, how to move to a new city without a job and make it work (and begin work too)?

Plan your finances

The first thing to do when preparing to move out of state without a job is to ensure that you have enough money to cover the moving costs and your living expenses for the first several months in your new city.

Calculate your moving costs first – fill out a moving quote to get a general idea of the price of your move and consider all relocation-related expenses you’re likely to incur (packing materials, traveling expenses, etc.). You can find detailed information on how to make a moving budget here.

Then, calculate your monthly expenses in your new city. Factor in all the essentials – rent (or mortgage), groceries, utilities, transportation, etc. – and make sure you have at least three months of living expenses saved before you move. You may land a job within a week after your relocation, but it may be months until you find something appropriate – you need to be able to get by without a regular income for awhile.

So, before you make the decision to move without a job lined up, be sure you have enough money saved up to fund your relocation and a few months of living expenses (while you’re searching for a job).

See also: How much money to save to move out

Research the job market in your new area

Your next task when moving to a new city without a job is to scout out the local job market – identify the prominent industries in the region, find out who the major employers in town are, check what fields are showing up the most on local hiring websites, and figure out how your skills will fit in.

• Check job openings in your new area – Find employment information by looking at local job placement ads in newspapers and on employment websites;
• Contact local recruiters – Find placement agencies in your new city that fill jobs in your desired fields – they have large networks and strong connections in the region and their services are usually free of charge for job searchers;
• Start applying for jobs before you move – The hiring process takes weeks, so it’s a good idea to start sending your resume to potential employers as soon as you find a suitable position in your new city. Address your forthcoming relocation in your cover letter (specify your move day, explain the reasons for your move, and assure your prospective employer that you’re moving permanently to the city) and note that you’d be willing to fly or drive in for an interview before your permanent arrival, if needed.

Bonus tips:

1. Many employers tend to pass over resumes from people applying for jobs out of state. To increase your odds of getting an interview, you may want to use a local contact phone number and address on your application. Contact your service provider to obtain a new cell phone number (local to your new area) and see if you can use a friend’s address or secure an apartment in town in advance of your move, etc.;
2. Expect that you’re going to be stressed and busy during the first days in your new city, so be sure to update your resume and write cover letters before the move (even if you don’t apply for a job in advance). You can leave the address part blank and fill it in once you get there;
3. Upload all your important documents on secured networks so you can easily print or send them out when needed. (See also: How to organize documents when moving)

Start networking in advance

Connecting to people and building a social circle in your new area is of paramount importance when moving away – especially so when moving to another state without a job.

Start with the people you already know in your new area (if any) – friends and family, former coworkers and fellow students, acquaintances, etc. Tell them you’re moving to town, ask for advice and useful information, and see if they have anyone in their professional network who they can connect you with.

Don’t forget to ask friends and colleagues for connections in your new city as well. E-mail these contacts or engage with them on social networking websites such as Facebook or Twitter – meeting new people and expanding your social circle will not only help you adjust to your new environment more quickly and more easily, but may also provide job leads you wouldn’t have discovered or considered otherwise.

It is also a good idea to join your college’s alumni chapter in the city you’re moving to, check professional social media sites like LinkedIn, and connect with professional associations and industry groups in the region – this will help you find relevant referrals and job opportunities in your field and will make it easier for potential employers to find you.

Consider freelancing and part-time jobs

Think about the kinds of jobs you’d be willing to take if your industry isn’t hiring at the time of your move or if you can’t land a suitable job quickly enough. Consider temporary and part-time positions in your new city – a part-time job will bring in some much-needed paychecks, introduce you to new people, and help you enrich your experience and gain new skills. Micro jobs like bartending, transcribing, blogging, etc., can be a great way to gain exposure and ease your finances until your find a full-time job.

Freelancing – during and after your move – is another efficient source of income while pursuing a career in your field (and a good safety net too).

Bonus tip: Ask about telecommuting – about 20-25 percent of U.S. workers telecommute at least part of the time, so it’s a good idea to ask your current employer if you can continue working for them from afar – at least until they hire someone in your place (that way, your colleagues won’t have to take on extra tasks while the company is looking for a replacement). Your employer may even be fine with you working remotely permanently.

Consider moving to temporary housing first

Relocating without a job is a daunting process that hides many risks – things may not go according to plan and you may not manage to land a job in your new area (or you may find that you don’t like the city, after all). You need a backup plan, an exit strategy in case one of the bad case scenarios happens.

It may be a good idea to move into temporary housing first – until you get to know your new surroundings, find a job, etc. Bring along only your most practical and most valuable items – sell or donate everything you don’t need or don’t like anymore, ask family and friends if they’d be willing to keep some of your belongings until you settle permanently in your new city (or come back), rent a storage unit if necessary, etc. What matters is to have a way out in case something goes wrong after the move.

Moving to a new city without a job may be difficult, but it can also be one of the most thrilling and rewarding experiences in your life. Just be careful and plan your steps wisely (hiring a reliable, affordable mover to help you relocate is a good starting point). Best of luck with your move, your new job, and your new life!