Stop Saying Yes to Relocation Without Doing This First — OPT STEM OPT Candidates

When a recruiter asks "are you willing to relocate" most candidates say yes immediately without thinking it through — and that is a mistake that can leave you struggling financially in a new city. Before you agree to anything the first thing you need to do is look up the cost of living in that location because a 60 dollar an hour rate in Austin and a 60 dollar an hour rate in San Francisco are two completely different realities. San Francisco and New York have state income taxes that will take a significant chunk of your paycheck before it even hits your account, while states like Texas and Florida have no state income tax which means you actually take home more of what you earn. Housing is the next thing to check — a one bedroom apartment in Seattle can cost double what the same apartment costs in Dallas and that difference alone can wipe out any advantage the higher pay rate seemed to offer. Look up the average rent in the city, check the state tax rate, and then do the actual math on what you will take home every month after taxes and rent before you tell a recruiter the pay rate works for you. A job offer only makes sense if the number in your pocket at the end of the month actually covers your life in that city — saying yes to relocation without doing this homework first is one of the most common and costly mistakes OPT and STEM OPT candidates make.