Relocating for your new job or internship can be a strain on your personal life, and can also cost a ton of money. One of the benefits that most companies that are known for recruiting college graduates offer is relocation assistance. Be sure to look at the amount offered, and what types of expenses are acceptable to claim as part of your relocation. For most, they will cover the transportation and gas only. The better relocation assistance plans cover your gas, transportation, hotel for you and your family if needed, food while traveling, and the security deposit at your new apartment or rental property. I'm honestly not sure what they cover, if anything, if you have bought a new house.
Coming out of college, you may have some low bank account balances, credit card debt, and looming student loans which you usually won't have to start paying for several months. My student loan payments started a little over six months after graduation which was plenty of time to settle in, and recoup some of the losses incurred in college. Not having to pay anything to move to your new location is huge.
If you are moving to a completely new city where you know very few people, hopefully you start working with other recent graduates because it is hard to meet new people outside of work unless you are a member of a church, local club, or have a pub/sports bar that you go to all of the time. You may or may not have sociable neighbors who are your age, but that all depends on where you live. It's hard to know which apartment complex would have a high density of young professionals, but the easiest way to find one is to look for bars or "hot" nightlife districts. There are always tons of young people that choose to live near these areas in any city. Keep in mind, though, that by living in these areas you have a greater chance of dealing with the pumping bass of your neighbor's stereo just like in the dorm, and that is the last thing you want to hear on a week night trying to get enough sleep to make it through an entire work day.
Relocation is surely a big deciding factor for most people, and it is important to find out the details of how much of your relocation expense balance will be covered. If everything is fully covered and you can cope with moving to a new city, the relocation factor may not be an issue at all letting you focus on the quality of the company. You want to live in a city where you will be happy, and in an area of the city that matches your lifestyle. After the dust settles and the new job smell wears off you are going to experience some dissatisfaction, but that feeling can be exaggerated if you are not content with your living situation, either. Both where you live and where you work will play a big role into your impression and personal review of your first job a couple of months into your new position.
