Relocating For A New Job Opportunity? Don't Sell Yourself Short....

So, you've been offered a new job, which will result in having to move to a new town. Everything is happening so fast. There's so much to consider all at once. Sell your house, buy a house, new schools for the kids, arranging for movers - and the list goes on. Initially, you might have scanned real estate websites to determine housing affordability.

But, wait! Did you only glance at home prices without researching the taxes? Yes, don't forget those property and school taxes? While your at it, check out the state income tax - how does it compare to where you currently live? Have you mapped out any of the homes which appeal to you for a better understanding of commute times. Have you taken the climate and utility costs into consideration? And, don't forget that car insurance, grocery costs and gas prices vary from one part of the country to another.

You are sure to have huge regrets if you don't completely research the overall cost of living before making that decision to accept a new job out of town. Don't just base it solely on housing prices. If you wait to become more informed after already accepting the job then you might find yourself wondering if it is too late to reconsider?

I sell houses in the Hudson Valley and have been doing it for some time. I've also relocated five times prior to settling here. As a Realtor, I often point out all the wonderful attributes of my community. I promote the Hudson Valley as a great place to live. However, I cannot and will not go as far as saying that the Hudson Valley is an affordable place to live compared to other aresa of the country. For me, it's what I made of the situation. Yes, I had to go up in price to get the kind of house I wanted and the taxes are higher here than where I had lived in Ohio. But, I have learned to sacrifice in other ways.

Before moving here I did my research. I wasn't a Realtor back then. But, I learned from a past experience that a cost of living comparison is very important when considering a relocation. Knowing the cost of living expenses in advance prepared me for the move here. I remember being in sticker shock.

My advice to anybody considering an employee relocation is to be prepared to ask for more money, but only after doing some research and being able to justify the request to your employer.There are many websites that offer cost of living calculators. My favorite is the one provided at Homefair.com http://www.homefair.com/real-estate/cost-of-living.asp . This website also features many other great relocation articles and tools.

Considering a relocation? Put the brakes on. You might feel it's well deserved, but don't be too overjoyed with that new title or a huge pay increase until you can first be sure of how far your money will go at your destination city. Don't be in such a hurry ...or, you could sell yourself short.