Handling a Cross Country Move?

Tarin.n asks: "For the past 2 years, I have worked remotely from the East Coast for a Silicon Valley company. The company is now considering moving me to the west coast, so that I can be closer to their headquarters. I'm trying to make a list of questions to ask of the company as we discuss this transition, as well as a list of items to take care of personally for such a move. What experience have others on Slashdot had with a cross-country move? Specifically, what should I ask and watch out for?"

True cost of living change?

[dada21]

One thing that they might not be to open about (or even aware of) is the cost of living differences. Living on the east coast with the salary you're making might make you feel wealthy. Moving to the west coast with the same salary might put you in the poor house.

Be aware of the cost of living differences between two markets (even within the same metropolis on occasion!).

stuff to ask

[ChazeFroy]

- One-time relocation expense reimbursement
- Bump in salary if new location is more expensive than old location (salary calculator [homefair.com])
- Assistance with finding a house or apartment

More important is how this will affect your family. Being single will make the decision easier, but being hitched with kids will make this truly a life-changing event.

Re:True cost of living change?

[FatMacDaddy]

I'd say this guy hits the nail on the head. Unless you're living in DC or Manhattan, the Bay Area in California is going to be a unpleasant surprise, cost wise. A tiny house that needs to be torn down still sells for well over half a million just because the land it's on is so valuable. This in turn drives up the costs of other goods and services here.

I've moved cross country a few times, and one of the big non-material things you have to consider is whether you're the type of person who can live in a new area where you might not know anyone. It can be weird and isolating for some people, while others find it fun and exciting.

Good luck.

Get it in writing!

[gEvil (beta)]

Make sure to get a list from them in writing of all expenses that they will cover. This includes gas/mileage/meals/hotels for the drive. Also make sure that temporary expenses are covered for your arrival (eg, 1 to 2 months apartment rental if you're looking to buy a house). If possible, try to get a chunk of this upfront. If they won't do that, ask them how long reimbursement will take. Some places won't reimburse you until you've worked there for 6 months or a year. This is to make sure that you don't have them cover your moving costs and then bail on them. Oh yeah, and did I mention to get the whole agreement in writing?

Re:Money

[frodo from middle ea]

Maybe not related to your employer, but worth mentioning anyway

Be very careful while choosing the moving company. Choose some one who is reputable and reliable, rather than using some one who promises low upfront costs.

My friend moved from west cost to east, a couple of years ago, the moving company said the truck broke down midway, and didn't deliver his goods for 2 months, and when it finally arrived, the truck driver, wouldn't unload, unless he was paid 500$ extra. Moving companies are a big rip off, if you are not careful.

If you do decide to do it....

[Garion911]

I recently moved cross country for a job six months ago.. (NorthEast to SouthWest)

Insurance... Verify with your home owners/renters insurance that your stuff is covered during the move... My GF's mother is an insurance agent and figured out that the stuff that is offered by the moving company (PODS, decent experience, except that the stuff was late, due to Katrina) was useless.. We then inquired our home owners, and at least with mine, I was covered.. Otherwise... Your stuff may not be covered during the move..

Do not buy a place right away.. Rent first to learn the area... Make it known that you will be renting.. Otherwise everyone and their cousin will be telling that someone they know is a realestate agent in the area you are moving too..

Order of operations... First, fly out there to pick out a house/apartment.. Same trip/Next trip, stay in new apartment, --buy a new bed--.. Its a new start, might as well start over.. Dont go cheap.. Plus if your stuff shows up late, at least you're not sleeping on the floor.. This was our saving grace..

Make sure you get a decent salray adjustment.. You will spend more money than you think on the move, maybe over budget.. I know I did..

I'm sure others will have good advice...

Expenses

[duffbeer703]

Assuming that you're happy with compensation, benefits, etc... in a perfect world, you want:

- You stuff moved by professional movers
- Some cash to handle incidentals (rent deposits, hotels, various fees for starting utilities, etc)

If they aren't paying for anything, then get as much money as you can, sell whatever you can part with and stuff all of your crap in a POD (www.pods.com) or something similar.

I wouldn't move for a company unwilling to pay for relocation, unless I was two years out of college and didn't really own anything.

Get out of your rut

[Silver Sloth]

Sometimes, and at least once in every life, you should completely uproot yourself and move on. Better still if you can go to a different country. If you can get your employer to pay for it then that's even better still.

And yes I do have some ties to the old home town. Every now and again I go back and visit my father (mom died a few years back) and I'm glad I got to really see some more of this world. Vacations aren't enough. You have to go out there and live.

Re:Keep your cars being shipped EMPTY

[NevarMore]

"I crammed 14 vanilla box PC computers..."

You bring up a point that I needed to address simply to move across the state.

"Do I really NEED this?"

I've moved 4 times in 6 months, its about to become 5. I'm a college student doing work at other schools in the state and the next one will be out to Germany. Each time I've moved I have found things like old computers, empty shell casings, "project enclosures" (old liqor bottles and neat metal boxes, old notes from classes, clothes that don't fit, clothes that I never wear, sex toys from ex's that were angrily thrown somewhere, pots/pans that were totally redundant, glassware (I was living alone and had nearly 150 glasses, mugs, and cups), the list goes on.

The thing is, I donated, recycled, sold, and disposed of nearly 70% of my posessions. I still have the things that have value to me, either useful value or sentimental value, but I don't have all the clutter and the 'stuff'. Open space, and not having a self-stor unit crammed to the gills with scrap is incredibly liberating.