Dear Local Opportunity:

Considering relocation is a complicated set of issues. If you can seriously consider living and working in other areas of the country, start doing some research on communities that would fit you well. Few people would be equally comfortably everywhere in the nation.

Because of the recession and the layoffs from public accounting firms, there are people readily available in most major metropolitan areas, and employers would prefer to hire locally whenever possible. Sometimes employers in smaller metro areas will still consider relocating people, but don't be expecting any company to buy your home in this marketplace; it's happening very rarely -- more often companies will offer a small hire-on bonus of $3 to 8K in lieu of paying for relocation expenses.

Executive relocation packages are reserved now for executive level positions.