If you are having a hard time finding a job, have you considered relocating? It’s not always an easy or obvious choice, but in some cases, being open to a relo may be just the change you need to land an opportunity.

Consider Indeed.com’s ranking of the “number of unemployed per job posting for the 50 most populous metropolitan areas in the U.S.” While these statistics can be a bit misleading (they indicate the number of jobs per the number of people without specifically taking into account the types of job), they list the following as the best U.S. cities to find work:

• Washington D.C.
• San Jose, CA
• Baltimore, MD
• New York, NY
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Oklahoma City, Ut
• Hartford, CT
• Boston, MA
• Seattle, WA
• Austin, TX

Another recent listing of places to consider working is from a study reported by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com/CNN by Apartments.com and CBcampus.com, which list the top 10 cities for new grads are:

• 1. Atlanta – Average rent:* $723: Popular entry-level categories:** sales, marketing, customer service
• 2. Phoenix – Average rent: $669: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, training
• 3. Denver- Average rent: $779: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care
• 4. Dallas – Average rent: $749: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care
• 5. Boston – Average rent: $1275: Popular entry-level categories: sales, marketing, training
• 6. Philadelphia – Average rent: $938: Popular entry-level categories: sales, marketing, health care
• 7. New York – Average rent: $1,366: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, marketing
• 8. Cincinnati – Average rent: $613: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, management
• 9. Baltimore – Average rent: $1,041: Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, management
• 10. Los Angeles – Average rent: $1319: Popular entry-level categories: sales, training, health care

Anthony Balderrama, from CareerBuilder’s The Work Buzz suggests these questions to consider when evaluating a move:

1. What is the entire cost of the move itself?
2. What is the comprehensive cost of living adjustment?
3. When is your last day on the old job and your first day of the new one?
4. What are your career opportunities in this new city?
5. What does saying “no” to the relocation mean for your career?
6. If you’re switching employers, what are your career opportunities at the new company?
7. Do you want to move?

Giving a move serious consideration? Be sure to visit the Riley Guide’s list of resources if you are planning to make a career move. Links include cost of living calculators as well as moving companies!

photo by mattindy77