Moving to a new city for your first job: a practical checklist
Finding a place to stay, setting up the basics and settling in without overspending in the first month. A simple plan for the move.
By Yeem Team ·
Moving to a new city for your first job is exciting and slightly overwhelming at the same time. There is a lot to arrange in a short time, and money is usually tight until the first salary arrives. A little planning makes the first month much calmer.
Before you move
Confirm the details in writing. Make sure you have your offer letter, joining date, office address and the name of someone in HR you can contact. Ask whether the company offers temporary accommodation, a relocation allowance or a joining bonus, and when it is paid.
Plan for the gap before your first salary. Your first salary may arrive at the end of your first full month, or even later depending on your joining date. Budget for at least six to eight weeks of rent, deposit, food and travel. Deposits in many cities can be several months' rent, so ask about this early.
Keep your documents ready. Carry originals and copies of your ID proofs, educational certificates, previous employment documents if any, passport-size photos and your bank details. Keep scanned copies in a secure place online too.
Finding a place to stay
Start temporary. If you can, stay somewhere short-term for the first two or three weeks: a paying guest accommodation, a hostel, a relative's home or company housing. It gives you time to learn the city before signing a long agreement.
Think about the commute. A slightly cheaper room an hour and a half from the office often costs more in time, travel money and energy than it saves. Check the actual commute at the time you will be travelling, not on a quiet Sunday.
Visit before you pay. Never send a deposit for a place you or someone you trust has not seen in person. Rental scams are common, especially with listings that look too good to be true or with owners who are "out of town" and want money in advance.
Read the agreement. Check the rent, deposit, notice period, maintenance charges, who pays for electricity and water, and the rules about guests. Get a written rent agreement and receipts for every payment. You may also need rent receipts for tax purposes later.
Your first week
- Get a local SIM if you need one, and update your number with your bank and employer
- Learn the route to the office and a backup route
- Find the nearest pharmacy, hospital, grocery store and ATM
- Save emergency numbers and the contacts of two colleagues or friends in the city
- Set up your new home with only the essentials; you can add the rest slowly
A simple first-month budget
Write down your fixed costs first: rent, travel, phone and internet. Then estimate food and daily needs. Whatever is left is your buffer. Many people overspend in the first month on furniture, eating out and things they think they need straight away.
A useful rule is to wait two weeks before buying anything that is not essential. You will know much better by then what you actually need.
Settling in
The first few weeks in a new city can be lonely, even when work is going well. That is normal.
- Say yes to team lunches and small plans with colleagues
- Find one regular activity outside work: a gym, a sport, a class or a community group
- Explore one new part of the city each weekend
- Keep in touch with family and friends at home, but give yourself time to build a life here too
Staying safe
Share your address and office details with someone you trust. Use reputable transport options late at night, and share your trip with a friend. Keep a small amount of emergency money aside that you do not touch.
Within a few months, the new city will start to feel familiar. The routes become automatic, you will have a favourite place to eat and a few people to call. The first month is the hardest part, and with a plan, it is very manageable.