standard relocation package, clarified for a steady move

As a returning candidate who's used benefits before, I read a package like a stability checklist. It should reduce uncertainty, not add shiny extras I won't use.

What a stable fit looks like

• Household move: carrier, packing, insurance, and a cap you can actually meet.
• Temporary housing: 30 - 60 days near the office; utilities included.
• Travel: airfare for start and a rental or mileage for the first month.
• Lease/home exit: fees, minor repairs, and sale support if applicable.
• Family support: partner job aid, school search, and one childcare consult.
• Settling-in: DMV fees, licenses, and small goods stipend.
• Tax gross-up: the quiet hero; without it, costs swell.

Last spring, my package covered three weeks of short-term housing while we waited for a daycare slot. That buffer kept me focused through onboarding.

Signals of real-world fit

1. Numbers first: caps in writing, not "manager discretion."
2. Timing: benefits start well before move day, and end after day 90.
3. Vendors: pre-vetted movers and a single point of contact.
4. Flex: a modest cash alternative for edge cases.

Pause. Does this feel livable?

If not, ask for small, high-impact tweaks: extend housing to 45 days, add a gross-up, or convert unused airfare to childcare credit. Short requests, clear rationale, and a start date tied to readiness - these nudge approvals.

I buy on stability: simple language, predictable timelines, and support that mirrors how people actually move. That's the standard worth accepting.