No one will argue that moving is a lot of planning and work. It doesn’t matter if you are moving within the same zip code or relocating to another state, the list of tasks you have to perform to get from point A to point B is lengthy. But, if you find yourself in the situation of moving for a job and without a permanent home to move into, you have even more work and planning to do! If you own a home, you may not have enough time to sell it before your new job begins. Or, you may have sold your home, but have no time to find a new one.

There are many considerations that go into your decision of a permanent residence. You may not be familiar with the area you’re moving to, so the geography may be unknown. If you have a family with children in school, you will want to find the schools they’ll attend and be in their school district. These decisions need to be well thought out and shouldn’t be rushed. A temporary housing solution can give you the time to check out all the options and carefully consider finding that “forever home.” Here are some tips for making a transition like this progress smoothly.

Research Your New City

Some research ahead of time will set you on a focused path when you’re moving to a new city for a job. Learn about the city you’re moving to, especially the geography, including neighborhoods or areas that are close to the job and schools for your children. Map out daily routes to places that you need to frequent. First, consider what factors are important to you – if you have children, you may be concerned about schools, green space, and family-friendly activities. Or, you may be more concerned about nightlife, activities to meet new people, or being in the center of the action. If you are staying in temporary, extended stay quarters initially, you’ll want to find one that is convenient to these areas.

Some things you’ll want to look closely at are:

  • Cost of living, including taxes, housing prices, grocery costs, and vehicle insurance premiums;
  • Where your new workplace is located and how far you’re willing to commute;
  • Crime statistics to determine appropriate precautions for your safety;
  • The local economy, including unemployment rates, poverty rates, and whether there are job opportunities for you in the area outside of your current job (in case you would like to explore new opportunities or look at room for advancement in the future).
  • Community assets such as green space, shopping and dining, cultural assets, and attractions such as museums, theaters, or concert venues.

Knowing as much as you can about your future hometown helps you feel more comfortable about the move and lets you know what to expect.

Get Organized

When you are moving for a job it is important to stay organized and have the right belongings on hand. As you pack, separate and group items you’ll need for an extended period of time while you are searching for a permanent space. Make a plan for how you will transition from one place to another. You’ll want the things that make you feel like you’re home. The children’s toys that are special to them, appropriate clothes for the climate, and other favorite items will keep some sense of normalcy to life as you are on the search for your permanent home.

Choose Whether to Rent or Sell Your Old Home

If you currently own your home, you may be considering renting it out to tenants or if you should sell it outright.  If you’re not sure which is right for you, consider the following:

  • Whether you can easily keep up with renting out a property, including finding tenants, providing maintenance, and if you can make difficult decisions if a tenant doesn’t pay rent or causes damage to the property, or if you’re willing to hire a property management company to take on those tasks.
  • If you have equity in your house and can make a profit when selling or if the rent growth in the area makes it financially feasible to rent and allow your equity to grow.
  • You aren’t sure if the move is permanent and may want to move back in a few years, renting may be the better option.

Selling is generally the easier option and can provide some additional funds to either purchase a new home or cover moving expenses while renting offers more long-term gains.

Decide What You Want in Your New Home

Knowing more about your new city and what you plan to do with your existing house allows you to decide what you want in your new home. Do you want a loft with city skyline views? Do you want a spacious home in the suburbs that allows you room to grow?

Make a list of what you want in your new home, including your “non-negotiables,” or must-haves, as well as a list of “nice-to-haves.” With this list in hand, you’ll be less likely to compromise on your housing in favor of what’s available quickly or get drawn into a home that is beautifully staged but doesn’t have what you need. It may be helpful to contact a real estate agent in your new city who can look at your budget, location needs, and list and determine if this is feasible or if you may need to consider broadening your search radius or updating must-haves.

Use Resources

Be sure to find out if there are resources you can tap into with your new job. Your employer at the new job may offer relocation services or may be able to direct you to contacts that help find temporary housing, making the transition smoother. They may offer assistance for flying you to the new city to get settled. Sometimes, depending on the employer and your role, they may offer to sell or rent your old home and assist with a new one. Employers who move a lot of people will use certain vendors to help employees relocate. All of these resources can be extremely helpful as you transition, so be sure to get as much information as you can.

Consider Short-Term Housing

Short-term housing is a perfect way to ease into the new location and reduce stress when you’re moving for a job and trying to get settled. A huge benefit of temporary housing is that it is fully furnished and serviced. For instance, you have a kitchen that is outfitted with dishes, pots and pans, glasses, and silverware. You have linens for the bedrooms. This makes it super convenient, not to mention less stressful, because all you need to do is bring the personal items you may need for a while and special things that will make it feel like home while you’re there. Most temporary housing offers amenities such as housekeeping, fitness centers, business centers, laundry facilities, and pools. Some extended-stay places even do cookouts for the residents during the week!

Locations for short-term housing are usually in areas that are safe and close to stores, restaurants, entertainment, highways, and airports. Whatever you need is not that far away and commuting is easy!

Contact Us for Short-Term Housing in North Carolina

If you’re moving to North Carolina for a job and are between homes, contact Corporate Accommodations for short-term housing options. We have a wide variety of temporary apartments available in several cities, including Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Chapel Hill. To learn more about our short-term rentals, call us at 336-299-1312 or fill out the contact form below to get started.