IT Blog by Ilarion Halushka

Sharing thoughts and experience

Pros and Cons of Relocating for Work

2 mins

job

career

relocation

Personal Experience of Relocating 🔗

I have lived and worked in two foreign countries for 4 and 3 months. Now I would like to share my own view on relocation. As professional sales managers do - I will start from pros, and then follow with cons.

Pros 🔗

Expanding comfort zone.
Learning/improving language.
Improving quality of life.
Getting more money (questionable, because also spending more).
Meeting new people.
Learning new culture.
Meeting new friends.
Finding your passion.
Running away from your past.
Traveling, exploring new places.

Cons 🔗

Feeling alien/guest worker.
No family.
No friends.
No old beloved places.
Risks related to failing probation period.
Learning to pretend that you became happier abroad.
Showing your fellas who stayed home that you are better than they are.
Stress.
Lose of stability.
Risk of visa rejections, rejection of extending visa.
Convincing yourself that you like it there more than at home.
Learning new skill of assimilation into new culture, pretending you are one of “them”.

Spouse and children will also suffer from integration into the new world. They will at least need to learn the language. Spouse will need to find a job and kids adjust to new schools/friends. Chances are that some family members won’t fit into new community and feel desperate. Don’t be egoistic, think about your family too.

For Now, I will Stay 🔗

I am not going to talk you to relocate or not. Definitely my points do not always make sense, lots depends on context. I am just trying to help with considering many aspects of relocating and finding what’s right for your life.

As for now, I have no plans to relocate. Time will show - if a good opportunity arises then it’s probably worth a try, especially while still young and have no family.