Moving across the country to be with the one you love seems like something out of a movie. On screen, you watch characters give up everything they know and uproot their lives to be with their significant other. In reality, however, this romantic situation comes with many issues. When deciding whether or not to move, a major worry for both parties could be work-related. Do they want a new job? Will they be able to find a new job in their new city? You might think these logistics would make people think twice before taking the plunge, but nearly one in five people have relocated in the name of love at least once.
So, who are these people willing to risk everything? A new study from tech-forward moving company Bellhops shows that female city-dwellers in their mid-thirties are the most likely demographic to move for love. Additionally, the study, which was conducted by analyzing millions of social media conversations around moving, shares some good news: a majority of these relationships end up working out in the long run.
When examining why people “move for love” it just might, perhaps, have something to do with the flexibility of the modern workplace. Job-related problems around moving are solved by today’s technology and the freedom it allows. Here are the top three reasons moving for love is easier than ever before.
Remote Teams Are Growing in Popularity
In a study from social media management software company Buffer, 99 percent of respondents said they would like to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. This trend, which allows employees to work without physically being in the office, is catching on for many reasons. Employees save time and money when they don’t have to commute for work, and employers save money on office space and in-office perks like free snacks. Additionally, a work-life balance is easier to achieve for remote teams. They have flexibility in their schedule, and can make time for family, friends and hobbies as needed.
In the past, when remote working was not as popular, moving across the country for a relationship would mean having to find a completely new job. Now, modern employees are more likely to have the option to work remotely – meaning they can move to be with their partner without worrying about transitioning into a new role.
A Low Unemployment Rate
This year, the unemployment rate in the United States was at a 50-year low, according to WhiteHouse.Gov. In past times, moving to a new city and having to find work could be met with uncertainty about the economy. Now, a strong job market might be giving people the confidence they need to make the leap of faith and move cities with their partner.
Smarter Digital Job Boards
Sifting through jobs online can be tedious, but lately career-finding sites have implemented new technology to improve user experience. Artificial intelligence, for example, is now being used to help job seekers find positions more closely tailored to their wants and needs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 20 percent to 24 percent of Americans change jobs every year, so there is a lucrative opportunity for tech companies to create smarter digital job boards. Implementing AI means the process is faster, easier and more productive. When the job-finding process is optimized, it makes “moving for love” a less daunting task for people who do need to find a new role in their new city.
In conclusion, a push for remote teams, a strong job market and ever-efficient digital job boards allows for more flexibility and freedom than ever before when it comes to changing jobs. Without this work-related fear standing in the way, moving cities in the name of love becomes an easier, more enjoyable process. And because the Bellhops study found that over 60 percent of move-for-love relationships workout, the odds are in your favor to take the chance.