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Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page

Moving to a States without a Job

Most people are likely to look out for jobs before planning their move to a new state. So, to be financially secure, trying to get a job before a move is totally justified. Who doesn’t want stability and financial security in life? When you get a job in a new state, moving there seems really exciting. But what about those wanting to move to a new state without a job?

Sometimes the need for a change of scenery or going against the traditional norms works for some people. That’s why some people decide to move to a new place without a job in their hands. Just like everything else, this too has its own pros and cons. But with proper planning and the right mindset, you can surely become independent and self-assured. To help you with such a leap of faith, we’ve put forth some tips for moving to a new state without a job.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

1. Understand Your Reasons To Move Without A Job

If you’re planning to relocate without a job, there are tons of things you need to consider before you move. Obviously, there will be risks involved in such a move. But if you plan everything beforehand, this might turn out to be the best decision for you. To make your move less stressful, you need to prioritize your needs first and understand your reasons for the move. Here are some things you should ask yourself before you relocate without a job:

  • Why do I need to move to a new state? Is it because of better career opportunities, weather, getting away from family, or a new exposure?
  • Why do I have to move right now? Is it necessary to move right away without securing a job?
  • Do I have any particular state in mind that I want to move to? Does the state have good employment opportunities in the field I want to enter?
  • Will I be able to afford the living expenses of the state?
  • Does my current state have limited employment opportunities? Is that the reason why I feel the need to relocate?

You need to ask these questions to yourself to figure out why you really want to relocate without securing a job. Once you’re sure that you’re not influenced by your friends or tempted by the different amenities of a new state, you can go ahead and plan your move. All you need to do is understand your reasons for your move as well as the risks involved with it.

See also: Best and Worst U.S. States for Job Seekers

2. Research The State You Want To Move To

Before you decide on a particular state to relocate to, you first need to research it. It’s not necessary that a state with a great economy will guarantee you a job after you move there. So the first thing you need to do is make a list of states that you want to move to. When making a list, you’ll have to consider several factors like:

  • What kind of employment opportunities are there in the state?
  • What is the cost of living in this particular state? Will I be able to afford it?
  • What are the tax rates of the state?
  • Where would I live? Are there any part-time jobs available in the state?
  • Do the residents of this state face any problems with respect to commute or unemployment?
  • What kind of companies am I interested in? Where do these companies have their headquarters?
  • Which are the thriving jobs in this particular state?
  • What is the average yearly income of a person in this particular state?

Once you ask yourself these questions, you’ll be able to research properly and narrow down your options. Learning about the state you want to move in will give you a realistic idea of the different opportunities and challenges that you’ll have to face once you relocate.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

See also: Best States to Move to

3. Start Saving And Plan Your Budget

One of the most important things to do before you relocate is to plan your finances. Nobody wants to go running around for money at the last minute, right? The first thing to do is check your account balance. After you’re done researching the different living costs in the states you’d like to move to, it’s time to plan a budget for yourself. Don’t forget to calculate your utility expenses like gas, electricity, phone bills, groceries, etc. Keep in mind that apart from the cost of living in the state, you’ll also have to make arrangements for your relocation costs.

When planning your budget, see to it that you try to save enough money for around 3 to 6 months of your living expenses in your new state. We recommend this because the challenges that come along with moving to a new state without a job cannot be ignored. If you have enough savings to get you through 3 or 6 months of your stay, you can focus on finding a suitable job for yourself. One of the ways of doing this is selling unwanted items before your move.

4. Build Your Network

Once you’re done deciding which state you want to move to, it’s time to build some networks that will help you with getting a job. One of the best ways to build connections is using different social media platforms. You can sign up on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and other social networking platforms and get in touch with your college friends and other recruiters. Just give some details about your move and the kind of jobs you’re looking for and ask your connections if they know of any permanent or part-time positions that you can avail of.

You can also make connections with people residing in the city you’re going to move to. If you have any relatives, colleagues or alumni living in the same area you’re moving to, don’t forget to email or message them. Keep in mind that the more professional connections you make, the higher are your chances of getting a job.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

5. Start Searching For Jobs Before Your Move

When you research the state you want to move to, don’t forget to find out about the job market there. You need to know about the different industries in the state. Prospective employers, skills that are in demand, exact locations of companies, etc. are some of the things you need to know. Once you have a sense of the job market of the state, you can start looking out for jobs that interest you.

One of the best ways of job hunting is visiting the official websites of the companies that you’re considering. Visiting their social media platforms will also give you information about any vacant positions in the company. Otherwise, you can browse through the local newspapers and look out for job opportunities in that state you’re planning to move to.

6. Search For Part-Time And Remote Jobs

You have to be ready for all the challenges that come your way especially if you’re moving to a new state without a job. Ideally, you should be aiming to get a full-time job. But if you can get a part-time job, take it! It would help you earn while still exploring prospective job opportunities.

One advantage of being in the digital era is that you don’t have to be physically present for all jobs. Remote working will allow you to move to the state of your choice and possibly work for a company with its office elsewhere! There are several companies throughout the U.S. that offer virtual work for their employees. You can check sites like FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, Remote OK, Problogger Job Board, etc. where you can find several remote working job opportunities. That way you’ll not only be able to earn some income to pay off your living expenses but also get a good working experience.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

7. Prepare A Resume Before You Move

After you move to your new state, there will be tons of things you have to take care of. That’s why it’s best to prepare a resume and write cover letters before your move. Just in case you haven’t found a place to live yet, you can write your friend’s or relative’s address or just leave the address section blank. When preparing your resume, see to it that you modify your resume based on the skill-sets and requirements that the company is looking for.

Another thing you need to be mindful of is notifying your references in advance as your employers may contact them for your background check. Don’t forget to upload the scanned copies of all your important documents on secured networks. You never know when you’ll be needing them, so make sure you can easily access them and print them whenever needed.

8. Consider Moving To A Temporary Housing First

Moving to a new state without a job can be really stressful and risky. If you have a budget that you need to stick to, finding a place to stay within your budget can be really difficult. That’s why we recommend moving into temporary housing before you buy your own house. There are chances of you not liking your new city or not being able to find a suitable job in your new area. So, if you’re living in a temporary house, it’ll be easier for you to move to a new place.

Another advantage of temporary housing is that you get to choose between furnished and unfurnished homes. It’s good if you go for furnished homes that have essential utilities like furniture, kitchenware, electricity, etc. You can find several temporary housing solutions at Airbnb, Craigslist, etc. Otherwise, you can check out for sublets if you’re looking for short-term rentals.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

9. Plan The First Few Days Of Your Move

It’s good if you plan the first few days of your move beforehand if you’re moving out without a job. Other than unpacking your things and looking out for jobs, there are so many things you can do. You can get in touch with your friends and relatives who live in your area and invite them for a get-together. Once you move to your new state, you can use your first few days to explore the area you reside in. You can visit the nearest attractions, know about the grocery stores, restaurants, and medical centers around you.

10. Have A Backup Plan

Moving to a new state without a job can work for many, but there are certain hardships involved. That’s why you need to be realistic while planning your move. Consider the worst-case scenarios: it’s possible that you may not be able to find a job or you may not be keen on exploring the opportunities available for you. At such times, going back to your home state shouldn’t be a problem. So see to it that you consider all this before you move.

This is when your friends, relatives, alumni, etc. on different social networking platforms can come to your rescue. You can email or message them and get to know them in person. Speaking of your professional connections like HR representatives, hiring managers, executives, etc., you can contact them and get to know about any new vacant positions in their companies. Make sure that you have a backup plan ready just in case things don’t work out for you.

Conclusion

Not all people would choose to move to a new state without a job. As risky and challenging it may seem, with proper planning and preparation, it can actually turn out to work in your favor. Sometimes going out of your comfort zone and exploring places can help you grow. So if you’re a person who wants to be independent and move without having a job, make sure to plan your move in advance.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

FAQs

How Can I Move To Another State Without A Job?

First and foremost, you need to save enough money for your living expenses. You’ll have to research the job opportunities and living expenses of the state you want to move to. After that, you can start applying for jobs and make professional connections to help you get a stable job after your move. Just see to it that you plan your move, make arrangements for your stay in advance, and don’t hasten the move.

See also: Cheap States to Move to

Is It Smart To Move To Another State Without A Job?

Moving to a new state without a job involves a lot of risks. Right from renting a place, finding a suitable job, getting adjusted to the neighborhood, planning a budget, etc., there are so many things you’ll have to take care of. But if you make good connections in advance and plan your move smartly, you can definitely move to another state without a job.

How Do You Move When You Don’t Have A Job?

If you want to move to a new place without a job, you’ll first need to save enough money in your bank account to meet your living expenses. We recommend that you save enough money to help you with at least 3 to 6 months of your stay. Other than that, renting a place in advance, making new connections, and looking for jobs in your new neighborhood will help you in the long run.

Which States Pay You To Move There?

There are several states in the U.S. that offer different remote work incentives, tax incentives, moving opportunities, etc. Maine, Vermont, Alaska, Iowa, and Oklahoma are some of the states in the U.S. that pay you to move there.

Also See: Reasons to Move to Another City or State | Moving To Iowa