Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The best cities for families


When parents decide to relocate their family, there are many factors that contribute to their choice of location. In fact, trying to find the best city to raise a family can become so fraught with importance that accurately weighing the options can feel impossible. Knowing this, the editors at Parenting Magazine decided to compile a list of the nation's best metros for raising children.

Of course, no list can make such a complicated decision for a family, but it can lend insight into which factors to consider when making the choice about where to relocate. Whether moving out of state for a job or just looking to try a new region, the magazine's list can be a useful tool.

Criteria
The makers of the list tried to stick closely to statistics to determine their rankings, but they also included input from readers and more subjective standards such as quality of life.

When relying on data, the source focused most heavily on topics such as education, economy, health, culture and community. In the end, the decision for one region's inclusion over another's was an aggregation of objective and subjective components.

"It wasn't formal. [We] are constantly checking in with our audience via our website and Facebook page, so based on the user comments to last year's Best Cities list and conversations we saw throughout the year, editors took note and made sure to incorporate user feedback as much as possible," Ana Connery, a Parenting editor who oversaw the list, said to The Washington Post.

Patterns
The list covers a wide range of regions and climates. Metro areas ranging from Portland, Maine, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, made the cut. City size also appeared to be inessential, as small and large cities both earned spots.

The Cities
Those metros included on the list were scattered across the country and had a wide variety of strengths. Boston, which topped the list, was chosen for its strong emphasis on education and decorated history.

Other smaller cities, such as Burlington, Vermont, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, were selected for their low unemployment rates and strong senses of community.

Relocation
For those looking to experience some of these family-friendly cities, relocation could be a viable option. With their commitment to education, safe streets and welcoming communities, these metros have been known to entice parents and their children.

If you decide to move to one of the areas on the Best Cities for Families List, hiring relocation and moving services could be a big help. A professional household moving company can make the process of moving simple and straightforward, allowing families to focus on starting their new life in one of these welcoming locations.

Friday, July 6, 2012

What to know about relocation assistance




What to know about relocation assistance
Moving out of state to begin a new job can be a difficult process. Finding the right moving van lines, learning about the new region and getting all your possessions in order can take a lot of time, energy and patience. However, in these less-than-ideal economic times, moving for the right job may be a wise move, even if it's not easy.
One thing that can help is if your future employer agrees to help compensate you in some way. Unfortunately, it can be tough for many people to ask for assistance without feeling like they are putting their new job in jeopardy. However, the right questions and expectations can drastically help a move.
With this in mind, here are few tips for identifying and receiving a good relocation offer.
Ask HR
Going directly to your future boss or the person who hired you can rightfully make you a little anxious. Therefore, directing your inquiries to HR can help you feel confident in your questions. Asking them if they have a document they typically use is a good way to broach the subject. Seeing if you can speak with someone at the company who recently went through a similar process is another good option.
Transportation
One of the costliest parts of moving for a job is, well, the moving. Whether it's airfare or a rental car, you will likely need to spend a lot of money on transportation. It is best to look into reimbursement before you foot the bill yourself. If the company uses a specific airline or rental agency, for example, it is good to have this information as early as possible.
Home buying
If you are lucky, your future employer might even help in the process of buying a home. Whether this is connecting you with a real estate agent or even contributing some of the differential in prices compared to where you came from, this can be a huge service to you. Either way, they likely have information about good locations and deals in the area.
Insurance
The gap between jobs can create a sticky situation in terms of insurance coverage. With relocating involved, it is quite important to see what your new job can offer in the way of health and travel insurance.
Moving expenses
Another thing to discuss with your future employer is reimbursement for hiring a household moving company. Many companies provide assistance in this regard, which can make the process a lot easier - and have you showing up for your first day in good spirits.