How many times have you relocated for a game job?
polycounter lvl 17
Just wondering how many times you guys in the industry have relocated. I'm happy to live in an area with a large array of game companies but it looks like when I start applying soon, I might as well start applying out of state as well. Is it best to cover a large amount of game companies all over the world or is it best to start as local as possible? And do game jobs often help with relocation benefits?
Replies
For my first job i got a $500 check for moving expenses... hehe i managed to fly from NY to Dallas 3 times for that ammount of money and bring my stuff with me hehe
For my first job i got a $500 check for moving expenses... hehe i managed to fly from NY to Dallas 3 times for that ammount of money and bring my stuff with me hehe
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I think you forgot a zero there ... or you know something about buying plane tickets that I don't...
I didn't move when I changed jobs here in Dallas four years ago and am very near my "commute tolerance" limit.
Roughly 30 years since I started working on games. 27.5 if you count when I took my first full time game-making job (which, though located in another state, I did not move to take and instead, worked out of my home). With the exception of my move from Connecticut back to Michigan, all interstate moves were paid for by my employer.
I'm actually fairly astounded to hear that many of you are taking jobs in other states where your employer is NOT paying to move you. That's a fair and reasonable thing to expect as part of the hiring process (at least in the US).
Some do help, sometimes with a deposit, sometimes with moving costs, sometimes with both.
i've been in for about 2 years, 3 if you count freelance, and only had to move once so far. Thats kind of the reason why i suggested moving to an area where theres alot of companies since if you do end up getting laid off or quitting or losing ur job for whatever reason you don't have to move to a different city or state, you can get a job in the same area. Being local is also a big plus when looking for a job, its alot less of a hassle for a company to hire you if you already live in the area.
AZ: a two way trip from NY to Dallas and back was like $97 at the time (2 years ago), i guess it also depends on time of the year, i just looked it up now its like $150-200 could still do it with those prices
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I guess that sounds about right, actually. I just expected a flight going that distance to be a bit more. It would cost me around that much to fly from Portland to SF.
When you said you moved your stuff with you, I guess was also thinking that you paid to ship a bunch of stuff (furniture,etc.). Sounds like you didn't have a lot of big, heavy stuff to take with you though.
One move is atypical though, I was real lucky with that first job.
Threewave paid for my flight, Gail's flight, and all our moving expenses. Aswell they took care of a place for me to live.
I think you forgot a zero there ... or you know something about buying plane tickets that I don't...
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UPS ground is pretty cheap.
been working fulltime for 1 year 8 months, + 1 1/2 years of freelance work
Tirol, Austria - Hannover Germany and then Tirol - Vienna
Four years in games, before that did 3d for video/TV for about three years.
Austin, TX and now Madison, WI
-Vancouver
-Seattle
-Montreal
-back to Vancouver
-Now in California
scotland>england.belgium>germany>scotland>england>america
I'm staying put as long as they let me.
r.
Portsmouth UK to Leeds UK- 250 miles in all but it could have been worse.
It's quite ironic though, most of the games industry is based in the South of England, where I'm from yet I had to move to get work :P
how many were mandatory (got laid off, studio closed) and how many where voluntary (better opportunity somewhere else)?
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Laid off. But thankfully so, I was stagnating there in the company's last throes, and I knew for 6 months the axe was coming. Best thing that could have happened to me, so happy here now.
I guess it's obvious, but relocating is generally easier for those without wives and/or kids. Once you get a posse going, they get their own momentum.
i like the job best in DC, but giant hells i miss the city of portland,, best fuckin place ever to live
Depends on who is hiring.
Scott
i like the job best in DC, but giant hells i miss the city of portland,, best fuckin place ever to live
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We really need some more game companies here
never had any help moving, although a relocation package is offered at my current place these days
The first 2 moves were for the same company, the last one for personal reasons but I got a job pretty much right away.