Moving somewhere can greatly increase your chances of getting a job there.  Results are largely anecdotal, but many people, including this blogger, can attest to finding a job in a city after moving there, though not before.

There are a few reasons why living somewhere increases your chances of finding a job there:

• Employer preferences – Many employers, though not all, would like to meet with people face-to-face, and they want to hire people who live close by and who can start right away.
  
• Learning about the area – The longer you live in an area, the more you learn about its job markets, vacancies and general vibe.  The more you learn, the more likely you will be able to find a position.
• Networking – If you live in an area, you will meet people there who can help you land a job.  Though networking can be accomplished through phone calls and emails, it’s better in person.  Plus, a lot of networking comes down to dumb luck — meeting the right person at a coffee shop and the likes.
  

Of course, moving to find a job means having to move without a job, which can be difficult and very stressful.  Fortunately, if you budget your post-move expenses, you should be able to comfortably conclude whether moving without a job is feasible.

Packing requires more than tossing stuff into moving boxes. It requires planning, prepping, moving aforethought. Some of this is as basic as deciding which stuff should go into which boxes and how; some of it requires actually buying stuff; and some of it requires rolling up your sleeves and doing to legwork needed to be ready for moving day.

Though there are a lot of ways to go about packing and prepping for moving day, there are some tried-and-true methods for saving time and energy. Here are five essential packing tips:

• Label boxes – include contents and destination.
• Group like things – Keep similar things together.
• Plan – Take measurements and plan routes for large items.
• Use sturdy boxes – Using dilapidated boxes is a tear-ible idea.
• Tape boxes shut – Otherwise, they might throw up in the back of the moving truck.

Packing is just one step in the larger moving process. And, in fact, it comes in toward the end of things. There is a lot to figure out before you start deciding how to pack things. Every mover should review our moving checklist before getting to the packing phase to figure out what they’re bringing and how they’re bringing it.

One of the main issues that needs to be addressed before packing is price. Moving can be very expensive. Sometimes people need to sell their stuff or figure out a cheaper way to move in order for moving to be feasible. These decisions need to be made well before packing takes place. Learn how to make a moving budget, then check out our moving calculator to help value your upcoming move.

Learn more about how to prepare for a move.