{"id":82672,"date":"2014-10-13T11:30:06","date_gmt":"2014-10-13T16:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=82672"},"modified":"2014-10-13T16:38:16","modified_gmt":"2014-10-13T21:38:16","slug":"dont-be-afraid-to-relocate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=82672","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Relocate"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Erin Kinney, Senior Assistant<\/i>, INALJ Wyoming<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Relocate<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"ErinKinney\"<\/a>My husband and I are both originally from San Diego. He grew up in Nebraska, and I spent time in the\u00a0Four Corners area of Colorado. We wanted to get back to that general area after graduating from library\u00a0school in Florida, so we targeted our job searches in those big square states in the middle of the country.\u00a0Through networking and some serendipity, we landed our first library jobs in Cheyenne, Wyoming.\u00a0People in Florida thought we were crazy for relocating to some place so far away and so foreign to them.\u00a0They would say \u201cWhy? It is so cold and snowy, and how do you pronounce \u201cCheyenne\u201d anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n

A position came open on Alabama\u2019s Gulf Coast one winter. Back in Wyoming it was -30F and we were\u00a0doing leashed potty walks in the ice and snow with our 155 lb. Pyrenees mix after her knee surgery.\u00a0We thought \u201cWhat the hay, apply for it. If it doesn\u2019t work out, that\u2019s fine.\u201d He made the initial cut and\u00a0we flew down for his interview in March. He got the job and we started the process of moving from\u00a0Wyoming back to the Gulf Coast. Our friends in Wyoming would say \u201cWhy? It is so humid, and there are\u00a0hurricanes, not to mention the bugs, and how do you pronounce \u201cMobile\u201d anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n

I have moved cross-country a half a dozen times since graduating college. Sometimes it was with just\u00a0what I could fit in my car, sometimes it was with movers, multiple cars, and our menagerie. Here are\u00a0some tips for relocating for a job:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stay organized and frugal<\/p>\n

o Logistics in any move can be stressful. To stay organized, I used Evernote to keep\u00a0track of to do lists, and contacts of utility companies and movers and realtors. I could\u00a0use it on my phone, tablet, and on my work or home computers. Moving can be very\u00a0expensive\u2014movers, car transports, vaccines for your pets, boxes, rental and utility\u00a0deposits to name a few items. Keep track of what you spend during the move, and your\u00a0mileage, as much of it may be tax deductible (see IRS Topic 455 – Moving Expenses<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u2022 Research and plan<\/p>\n

o Know the cost of living in the new city. I have seen positions that don\u2019t pay enough\u00a0for you to live in the same community as the library. If you have children, research the\u00a0schools in the area you want to live. Take time to get to know your new environment\u00a0before you move. If you are moving from Florida to Montana, or vice versa, you will\u00a0have to purchase a completely new wardrobe. Recognize these hidden costs.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Don\u2019t make any long-term commitments<\/p>\n

o Renting is a great way to settle into a community and see which neighborhoods may suit\u00a0your lifestyle better than others. Or, perhaps the job doesn\u2019t turn out quite the way you\u00a0hoped and you don\u2019t want to be tied down to a mortgage.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Build a social support network<\/p>\n

o You will feel more at home and happier with your decision to move if you build a\u00a0support network. Use online services like MeetUp, join clubs or team sports, or take\u00a0community classes. Don\u2019t forget to factor in the needs of your family when it comes to\u00a0support networks.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Take advantage of employer support<\/p>\n

o If your employer doesn\u2019t typically offer relocation assistance, ask for it. Some libraries\u00a0may not be able to pay for your relocation, but perhaps their Friends group can help\u00a0out. Even if the library cannot financially help you, they can assist you with locating a\u00a0place to live, numbers of utility companies, and recommend businesses.<\/p>\n

\u2022 It’s OK to ask for help<\/p>\n

o Moving and starting a new job is very stressful. Add to that that you are leaving your\u00a0support network and you may feel lost. It\u2019s OK to ask for help of family, friends, and\u00a0new co-workers. Don\u2019t turn away any help, whether it is a home cooked meal, or\u00a0babysitting, or someone to watch your dog while the movers are unloading the truck.<\/p>\n

As with any major life decision, relocating requires careful planning and research, which we librarians\u00a0are great at doing. Set yourself up for success by being proactive, organized, and systematic about your\u00a0big move.<\/p>\n

Erin Kinney was born and raised in San Diego, and has lived in six states, ranging from Alabama\u00a0<\/em>to Wyoming. She graduated from Florida State University with her MLIS. She relocated to Mobile,\u00a0<\/em>Alabama, from Wyoming with her husband and their three dogs. Erin is a past president and webmaster\u00a0<\/em>of the Wyoming Library Association. Her professional interests include digitization and providing access\u00a0<\/em>to rare materials. Erin\u2019s hobbies include photography, knitting, and gardening. You can connect with her\u00a0<\/em>on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Erin Kinney, Senior Assistant, INALJ Wyoming Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Relocate My husband and I are both originally from San Diego. He grew up in Nebraska, and I spent time in the\u00a0Four Corners area of Colorado. We wanted to get back to that general area after graduating from library\u00a0school in Florida, so we targeted…<\/p>\n

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