Changing locations after you graduate might be the best move for your career, your social life, and your wallet. There are some benefits to staying in the network you built while you were in school, but the benefits of starting fresh in a new area can make it well worth the move. With your degree in hand, you’ll be ready for the challenge.
Relocating Jump-Starts Your Career
Relocating before starting your first post-college job offers several advantages over settling for something nearby. For starters, launching your career is much easier when you’re not tied to one location. Shopping your skills around to companies across the country, or across the globe, broadens your prospects for that critical first job.
If you’re currently in a rural or suburban area, a move to a big city can significantly increase your lifetime earnings. One study looked at the short- and long-term benefits of an urban relocation and found a significant boost to valuable job experience. That experience resulted in higher lifetime pay, even when the subjects of the study left their city later in life. The cost of rent in cities may be high, but the financial advantages down the road can make it worth the investment.
Relocating Lets You Experience a New Culture
Every place on the planet has its own unique cultural fingerprint. Joining a new community can broaden your perspective of the world, even if you’re only moving to a different town in the same state. If you’ve been living in your college town for a while, a change in atmosphere can be very rewarding.
When you’re looking to make new connections in a new place, start by joining clubs, organizations, or associations that interest you. It’s ok to be a tourist in your new home—get out there and experience the people, history, or attractions your new town has to offer. A move is an opportunity to see the world from a fresh new perspective, and this eye-opening experience can help you see yourself in a new light as well.
Relocating Saves You Money
A change in location can have a big impact on your bottom line. Depending on where you currently live, you could significantly lower your cost of living or significantly increase your potential earnings by moving to a more favorable location.
A relocation can also help you cut other costs. For instance, you can shorten your commute by choosing an apartment that is closer to your next job. You can also save a lot of money on rent by sharing a place with roommates or downsizing your current living situation. There are even ways to make the move itself as cost-effective as possible, like comparing moving truck companies before committing to one.
In the end, a relocation might be stressful, but the years after your graduation can be a time of incredible opportunities for growth and positive change. Don’t miss out on what the world has to offer with the perfect opportunity to discover your potential and your path in life.
Check out more of our posts on life after graduation and follow @GradGuard to stay informed on any future advice.
