To move or not to move?

Jobs are increasingly hard to come by in this slumping economy, so packing up boxes and moving for a job also is increasingly appealing. In 2009, job relocation numbers hit a three-year high, according to Consumer Affairs.

However, because of dire market and jobs reports, many companies are reducing or freezing their paid-relocation programs. So before relocating, consider these factors from U.S. News & World Report.

The first - and most obvious - piece of advice is to figure out whether your finances can take the hit. Many online moving calculators can help potential movers figure out the price of getting personal belongings in a moving truck and shipping it. According to Worldwide ERC, the average cost of shipping household items in 2010 was more than $12,000.

Other key factors are the local cost of living, whether or not the new employer is stable, and if telecommuting a possibility. Figuring out who would need to relocate - kids, spouses, pets - and what effect a move would have on them also is key. More important things to factor are a spouse's career, kids' ages and how intertwined into a local community the family is. 

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