The College Graduate’s Guide to Moving to a New City [Infographic]

So, you’ve graduated from college and you’re moving to a new city. Congratulations: you’ve taken one big step and you’re striding onto the next. Here’s how to start things off on the right foot.

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Top 10 American Cities for College Graduates to Find a Job

When it comes to employment for new college grads in the U.S., not all job markets are created equal. Some are growing while others are shrinking. These are 10 cities with the hottest job markets for new college grads, according to EDsmart.

1. Raleigh, NC
2. Kansas City, MO
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Austin, TX
5. Seattle, WA
6. Salt Lake City, UT
7. San Jose, CA
8. Louisville, KY
9. San Antonio, TX
10. Washington, DC

Quick Tips for Moving Across the Country

• If you can, pack everything in your car.
• Avoid bringing your college furniture. It’s bulky and probably not all that nice. Get furniture in your new city.
• Don’t sign a year-long lease without seeing the place and meeting the management.
• Get a moving stipend from your new job and consider spending that stipend on movers.
• Plan a quick trip to your new city before the big move. Check out potential neighborhoods that you are considering. If you have the time, consider taking a few apartment/house tours.
• Get renter’s insurance.
• Plan for your first trip back. Whether you are moving 100 miles away or 2000 miles away, make sure you have a plan for going back and visiting friends and family.

Steps a College Graduate Should Follow When Preparing for a Move.

• Secure your job before the move. This will take a tremendous amount of stress off your shoulders and help you start off your post-collegiate life in the green, not the red.
• Research the area. Make sure the area that you’re planning on moving to fits with the sort of lifestyle you are trying to lead.
• Set up a local bank account. This is especially important if your last major bank was your university’s credit union.
• Find a social circle outside of work. Start with your hobbies. Whether it means going to board game cafes or joining an adult league soccer team, you’re going to want to seek out activities that introduce you to other people to help you maintain a healthy social life.
• Finish outfitting your new pad. A happy home makes for a happy you during the moving process. Don’t just settle for Ikea furniture. Find the couch that will be with you throughout your 20s.

One Final Tip: Consider a Storage Unit

Are Mom and Dad no longer letting you keep your extra things at their place? Consider a storage unit. Whether you’re living in a cramped studio or shared house with five other people, a storage unit is a great way to hang onto your items and keep them out of everybody’s way. Best of all: today’s top storage units are affordably priced.