Deciding Where to Relocate
Carefully consider the realities of where you’d like to live after the service. For
example, if you were a ship navigator during your military career, you could have a difficult time
finding a similar job in the southwest. On the other hand, if you were an Army nurse, you may
find several excellent opportunities virtually anywhere.
Most career placement specialists recommend that job applicants choose the type of job they
want first,
then go where the jobs are. In making a decision to relocate, you might prioritize as
follows:
1.
Job potential: Which community is most likely to offer job opportunities that
match your skills, experience, and career goals?
2.
Affordability: Consider the not so obvious expenses in addition to the cost of
living. Compare local, state income, property, and sales taxes. Does the state tax your
military retirement pay? Does the location have income and career potential?
3.
Community: Do you have family or friends there? Can you count on them to help
make your transition easier? Do you need to be close to your aging parents for economic or
medical reasons? Are you seeking upward mobility with the potential to move, or are you looking for
a community to settle for the long term?
4.
Environment: Would you be happiest living in a city, the suburbs, a small town, or
a rural area? Does the climate suit you?
Before moving consult your nearest Family Center, the best source of relocation information
and planning assistance. Other useful resources include local chambers of commerce, libraries,
bookstores, and the Internet. Use them to find out what you need in order to make informed
moving decisions.
Chambers of Commerce
Many communities across America have chambers of commerce. Each chamber of commerce
promotes its community and is a good source of information about the surrounding area: the
local job market, housing costs, local realtors, cost of living, local taxes, climate, schools and
availability of recreation or child care. Ask for the chamber’s booklet – much like the
relocation packet you received about a new installation when you changed stations.
Libraries and Bookstores
The reference section of your nearest
installation library,
public library or bookstore may offer atlases, maps, and geographical information that
provide useful information. Tour books and guides in the travel section may provide insights
into the community you may someday call home. Military libraries and public libraries also
have many other free resources. Libraries also offer customer use computers which can help you
keep up to date on the latest news in your new community, apply for a job, check your e-mail, or
just chat with friends.
Some helpful websites on following topics:
Relocation:
Education:
Jobs:
Make full use of the library databases that are behind Army Knowledge Online (AKO) – Army
personnel only. Go to the "My Library" site under self-service on the first page of AKO.
It is easy navigation from there to the library reference databases that will help folks find
business information on companies (Newsbank), college information (Peterson's), resume
preparation (Peterson's), and help in making financial decisions (Morningstar).
Date Last Reviewed: September 28, 2011
