What to Consider Before You Plan to Move Near Your Office

Things are slowly returning to normal and employees are coming back to the office. However, public transportation is still horrible, and coupled with heavy traffic and high fuel prices, traveling from your home to the office is quite an ordeal. So should you move to a place near your office?

Moving is a personal decision and it’s not for everyone. You can’t just expect for things to automatically fall into place when you uproot your life and move to a new neighborhood/city. That might happen to the lucky few, but most often than not, reality will slap you in the face. There are a number of questions you should ask yourself before you decide to move. Only when you’ve answered these questions will you know if you’re ready to take that next big step in your life.

Is there no other way?

First off, before you ask yourself any other questions, determine if you actually need to move. Maybe you could find another solution to your problem. If your problem is the commute, maybe you could arrange a carpool with people in your neighborhood. Got family issues? Can it be solved by talking to the members involved? Sometimes moving away from home isn’t necessary, but if you’ve made up your mind, then let’s proceed.

Do you absolutely love your job?

You’re moving to a new place to be nearer your office but do you see yourself working there for the next couple of years or so? It’s crucial you answer this before you make drastic changes in your life. Frankly, going through the trouble and expense of moving only to realize you actually want to quit your job is a little heartbreaking. Save yourself the pain.

Can you even afford to rent a place?

Money is obviously one topic you should be thinking of. Say you’re bent on moving to a place near your office — do you have the budget for it? You could probably find a place to rent below P10,000 a month but those are often unfurnished spaces. That means you have to bring everything — refrigerator, electric fans, water heater, furniture, etc. Are you prepared for that?

What is the projected cost of living?

When you move to a new place, you’re not only worrying about this month’s rent. You also have to think of the utilities, the internet bill, and the groceries. How much are you expecting to spend in a week? A month? Can you sustain a lifestyle of living in a new place presumably without the support of your parents? Whether you’re single or you’re living with your own family, these expenses could be daunting. Make sure you know the answer to that question before you haul all your stuff.

What are your transportation options?

There should be more than one way to get to and from your office and your new home. It’s a contingency plan for when the lines are too long for the buses or the MRT suddenly broke down. Consider routes where you rely on ride-hailing apps and routes where you can take public transportation. As with all things when you consider moving, do your research carefully.

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What are the pros and cons?

For each property you’re considering, get a piece of paper and create two columns for pros and cons. Write down anything you could think of that would fit those categories and then compare them. Which one outweighs the other? It should ultimately help you decide what to do if you want to move near your office.

What happens if you decide to leave your job?

Will it be a total loss financially if you sign that apartment contract and end up leaving your job before the time’s up? You can’t predict the future but you can prepare for it. If your new place is in a business district where most offices are, you have a higher chance of finding another job near your new place. But if you relocate to a remote area, things might get tougher. Think of the future before you make the move.

How do you handle change?

Moving to a new place is exciting but are you sure you can handle it? Aside from the financial aspect, do you see yourself being mentally at peace with the idea? Change could be exciting but under the circumstances — projected expense, a lease that binds you for a year, stress from the job, etc. — it might stress you out.

So do you think you should move near your office? Share your thoughts with us!

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