Oro y Plata

Gold & Silver. It's Montana's official state motto (translated from Spanish 'Oro y Plata') and its akin to the treasure I found in my inbox at work. The relocation benefits package I inquired about was an attachment in a recent email. It sat there while I was trapped in a meeting, flirting with my desire to migrate to the mountains.

When I finally was free, and my mental defenses prepped for disappointment, I opened the titillating document. The generosity astonished me. The relocation package would cover the packing, shipping, temporary storage, and unpacking of pretty much all our household goods with the exception of ammunition and plants. It would provide transit of two vehicles and pay for a week of house hunting (including travel, accommodations, meals, and incidentals), two months of temporary housing, airfare for a one-way ticket there, and even provide a realtor program for selling and buying. I have a little over a year to make things happen.

Previously, while saluting Saleforce for providing employees with relocation packages because of the RFRA, I mentioned how a relocation package could alleviate at least one of our four difficulties of long distance relocation. However, this package is generous enough to practically alleviate three of our concerns.

• Time off, travel, and accommodations are required during house hunting
• Remote house hunting is a dodgey affair, even with excellent sites like Zillow.
• Long-distance job hunting is difficult
• Especially when we are living in a two-income age
• Logistics with coordinating sale and purchases can be expensive
• Household storage is difficult and expensive or you have two mortgages
• Timing can be delicate
• Windows of opportunity for both good weat

The remaining concern is relegated to being half as potent as it would be for people with traditional jobs since I now work remotely anyways. My wife will begin searching for another gig once we narrow down exactly where we will be living. She is a social worker and she is interested in serving the needs of reservations, which Montana has in spades.

There is one more caveat, I will need a reliable internet connection for my work. I'm not familiar with the broadband services available in Montana, their coverage, or if satellite internet would suffice. These are all questions we will have to find answers for before we give real estate any real consideration.