Remote Work Relocation Considerations for a Family
By MakeMyMove Staff • Apr 14, 2021
If you want to move and have a job that will allow you to work from anywhere, there are several things you'll want to consider before you relocate your family.
Below, we’re highlighting some of the main areas of consideration, and we’ve also provided a handy checklist to walk you through your relocation to an ideal future home.
Discover the Best Places to Raise a Family
If you’re trying to find the best place to raise your family, we’ve outlined the main areas of consideration.
If you already have a future home in mind, check these considerations against the place you’re thinking of moving to.
Tax & Financial Considerations for Your Move
Some of the financial aspects you might want to consider are the cost of moving, differences in state taxes, and the area’s cost of living. Not all cities are created equal when it comes to the cost of living, and you don’t want to be caught by surprise after you’ve already moved!
State Income Taxes:
State income taxes vary in each state. For instance, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington, don’t even have a state income tax. So, it can be essential to understand your current state’s tax situation and know how it will change when you move. More on that here.
Diverse Cities to Raise Kids
An article by Brookings.edu states that America’s neighborhoods are becoming increasingly diverse, “with four out of every ten residents projected to identify as a non-white racial group.” But if you’re actively searching for a diverse area to live in, that doesn’t mean every place will have that same diversity.
To make sure your future home is diverse, you can visit the area yourself after looking up rankings on diversity in that city on a website like Niche.com.
Good School Districts & Quality of Education
A 2013 realtor.com® survey of nearly 1,000 prospective home buyers showed that 91% said school boundaries were important in their search. Also, Century 21 Core states that “one in five home buyers are willing to pay up to 10 percent more than their budget for a home in the school district of their choice.”
To find the right school district, ask locals their opinions about the school districts in that area or look up school district ratings on sites like Greatschool.org.
Access to Nature & Parks
Studies show that people are happier when they have a view of nature. The Art of Happy Moving blog references a study that found “rooms with a view of nature drastically improved the well-being” of hospital patients when compared to other patients in rooms without views.
Whether you’re moving to a more rural area or a metropolitan area, you might want to consider the views of your future home and the distance to parks, trails, or other outdoor activities.
Moving Logistics for a Family
Moving takes a lot of planning, and there are many stressors. Some of the logistics you'll have to consider include factors like who is moving your items, if you'll drive or fly, what things to keep or donate/sell before moving, and more.
Ultimately, you will need to evaluate your items, space, the distance between your current home and destination, and plan how you're getting there.
Relocation Considerations Checklist:
If you’re overwhelmed by all these moving considerations, you’re not alone!
Here’s a checklist to consider in each category:
Tax & Financial Considerations
If you’re a remote worker for a corporation, find out if your employer will provide you with any moving benefits.
If you’re self-employed, find out how your move will impact your business’s taxes.
Know how your destination’s state taxes compare to your current state taxes.
Estimate the financial costs of your move.
Diverse Cities to Raise Kids
Check the diversity ratings of your city and its neighborhoods on a site like niche.com
Go to your potential neighborhoods in person (or talk to a local) and experience the area yourself.
Good School Districts & Quality of Education
Explore the education options available in the city you’re interested in moving to.
Research the ratings of each school district on a site like https://www.greatschools.org.
Decide which area you’d most like to move to in your chosen city.
Access to Nature & Parks
Look at a map to see if there are any parks or nature preserves nearby.
Look through photos of your home to see if you have a nature view.
Go to your city’s tourist website (ex: https://www.denver.org ).
Moving Logistics for a Family
Decide if you’re hiring a moving company or doing it yourself.
Know the space you’re moving into and what you’re bringing with you or leaving behind.
Still looking for the right place to move? Discover places that will pay you to move there.
Ready to find your new home? Keep track of new U.S. states, regions, and cities willing to pay you to move on Make My Move. Click here to see all of Make My Move’s available offers.
Or, if you represent an area looking to recruit remote workers, click here to list your location.
About MakeMyMove
Remote work has freed millions of Americans to live where they want, and many are making the move to places that better match their lifestyle. In turn, cities and towns across the country are offering incentives like cash, perks and programming to remote workers who move and work from their communities. At MakeMyMove, you can explore all the places, get personalized help to find the one that’s right for you, connect with locals, and access support to make your move a piece of cake.