How to relocate while working remotely

For the 35.5 million people who teleworked in early 2024, one of the primary benefits of working remotely is the ability to relocate as necessary. As long as you have a computer with internet access—and your employer's permission—you can pick up and move as many times as you want. With that comes a greater amount of freedom to pursue the work-life balance you've been seeking.

Whether you're a new or experienced remote worker, dive into Oyster's Global Employment Pass to find resources on how to boost your candidacy and land the job of your dreams.

What to consider for remote work relocation

Remote work relocation requires careful planning around three core areas: employer approval, financial impact, and practical logistics. You choose a new location, but success depends on addressing these key considerations first:

• Cost of living: You don't want to move to an area that's overly expensive based on your earnings, especially with data from 2023 showing that over 21 million renter households spent more than 30% of their income on housing. Do you want a comparable cost of living or an opportunity to save money?
• Time zone: Think about how essential it may be to communicate with coworkers in real time. Does your employer have requirements about being in a specific time zone for synchronous communication?
• Internet reliability: Given the prevalence of videoconferencing and cloud-based file sharing, a high-speed internet connection is a necessity. Will you have access to a connection that allows you to be efficient and productive?

Internationally or nationally?

This is a major point of consideration. Do you need to remain in the same country as your employer? If not, do they have time zone requirements?

These are questions to discuss with your supervisor before deciding. Even if your employer sees that you can maintain communication and productivity, having workers in multiple countries could present compliance and tax-related challenges they're not familiar with yet.

Office policy

Here's the thing—your company's remote work policy is your roadmap, and it's important to know the details as trends shift; for example, the share of teleworkers working all their hours from home decreased by 6.1 percentage points between early 2023 and early 2024. Talk to your People Ops team about these guidelines and ask these critical questions:

• Will your employer allow you to relocate to any location without permission?
• Will your employer cover any costs associated with your relocation?
• What information must you provide the HR department in advance and after relocating?

Even if the written policy seems clear, avoid making assumptions and keep your employer in the loop. The People Ops team can answer your questions, provide feedback, and follow up on details they can't provide right away.

Financial implications of relocating

1. Tax regulations

Tax implications vary dramatically based on your destination:

• Domestic moves: Your state and local tax obligations change, but federal taxes remain consistent
• International moves: Your entire tax situation gets complex—you may owe taxes to both your home country and new country of residence

If you're relocating to another country, will you pay income taxes in both places?

Consult with a tax professional before deciding where to relocate.

2. Cost of living

Cost of living varies dramatically by location. Consider these factors:

• Housing costs: A townhouse in a Midwestern state is more affordable than a condo in a major coastal city
• Daily expenses: Food, fuel, and utilities fluctuate significantly
• Budget-friendly countries: Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Bulgaria offer excellent value

3. Renting vs. owning a home

If you're the type of person who likes to relocate often, renting is almost always better than buying real estate. However, if you plan on staying in a location for a longer period—think five years or longer—purchasing might make more financial sense.

Compare the pros and cons of renting and owning based on your financial circumstances and the area you want to move to. If you're able to relocate internationally, you might find that long-term rentals are more common than home purchases in some countries.

If you're not sure whether you want to move periodically or put down roots in a new place, create a short list of destinations and visit each one on a workcation. There's nothing like first-hand experience to make your decision easier.

Choosing Your Destination as a Remote Worker

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Here's what you can't compromise on—reliable infrastructure. Confirm high-speed, stable internet access before committing to any location. Video calls and cloud-based tools make this non-negotiable.

Legal and Visa Requirements

If you're planning to move internationally, understanding your right to work is the most critical step. Some countries offer digital nomad visas, while others may require your employer to sponsor a work permit. This process can be complex and time-consuming, so research the requirements for your top locations well in advance.

Community and Lifestyle

A successful relocation is about more than just work. Consider whether a new city or country aligns with your personal life. Look into the availability of co-working spaces, social groups, schools if you have a family, and general lifestyle pace to ensure it's a place where you can thrive both professionally and personally.

Maintaining Productivity During Your Move

Moving is disruptive, but it doesn't have to derail your productivity. A little planning can help you manage the chaos.

• Communicate proactively: Let your manager and team know your moving schedule. Block off your calendar for packing and travel days to prevent meeting conflicts.
• Pack a 'work essentials' box: Keep your laptop, chargers, monitor, keyboard, and headset in a separate, clearly labeled box that you can access immediately.
• Set up your workspace first: Before you unpack your kitchen, set up a temporary but functional workspace. Having a dedicated spot to work from will help you stay focused amid the boxes.

Making Remote Relocation Work for Your Career

Relocating while working remotely is more than a change of scenery—it's an opportunity to gain new perspectives and experiences that can enrich your career. While this freedom is a powerful benefit for you, it creates real complexity for your employer around compliance, payroll, and benefits.

When companies have the right partner, they can confidently support their team's ambitions to live and work anywhere. Oyster provides the platform and expertise to make global employment work for everyone. If your company is looking to build or manage a distributed team, see how you can start hiring globally.

About Oyster

Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.

Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.