Moving to Palo Alto For Work? 4 Tips for Making it a Success

Moving to Palo Alto for work is great for two reasons. First, this city is home to some of the world’s biggest businesses, which means that you’ll likely be receiving a significant pay increase. Second, Palo Alto is simply an awesome place to live. While it’s a little more intense than most other places in the United States, it’s one of those cities that can be highly rewarding if you go in with the right attitude and a healthy dose of enthusiasm.

In this post, we’ll guide you through some handy tips that should help to ensure that your move to Palo Alto gets off to the best possible start. 

Figure Out Your Finances

If you know anything about Palo Alto, then you’ll know it’s not a cheap place to live. It routinely ranks highly on the list of most expensive cities in the US. You’ll likely take things in your stride if you’re moving from New York or other cities with an eye wateringly high cost of living, but it can be a little jarring if you’re moving from anywhere else. Your new job will likely come with a Palo Alto-worthy salary, but still, it’s best to do some research and create a budget before moving to avoid any nasty surprises.

Find a Short-Term Rental Before Committing to a Neighborhood

Palo Alto is a relatively small city that seems bigger than it really is. There’s a lot of traffic here (more on that below), and also plenty of distinct neighborhoods that have their own look, feel, and energy. Choosing which part of Palo Alto to live in permanently will have a big impact on your overall experience, so it’s best to take your time before making the decision. Staying in Palo Alto short term housing will allow you to slowly discover the city’s neighborhoods before finding a place to stay in the long term. Also, keep in mind that, yep, traffic can be bad here, so factoring in the location of your new workplace before selecting a property can be worth its weight in gold. 

Get Comfortable on a Bike

There are two common complaints about Palo Alto: it’s expensive, and there’s a lot of traffic. There are solutions for both of these issues. One is to get a job in Palo Alto, which you’ve already done. That’ll take care of the expense issue. The traffic problem is solved by buying a bike and using it. Palo Alto is extremely bike-friendly, and since the city is so small, it’s a highly effective way to get around. Throw in the fact that cycling can do wonders for your physical and mental health, and getting a bike becomes a no-brainer.

Start Building Connections

Palo Alto is a city that rewards enthusiasm and open minds, so don’t hesitate to start throwing yourself into the city’s rich social life. From professional meetups to sports clubs, there are a million and one ways to connect with others — and those connections might just have a big impact on your overall experience while living here.