I think providers sometimes underestimate the complexity of relocating from one side of the country to the other. Over the past few months, I’ve noticed an uptick in providers making significant cross-country moves or even shifting to entirely new cities. The common mindset seems to be that things will improve in their new location compared to their previous one. These moves are often made to explore new opportunities or to be closer to their most profitable clients. However, many overlook the financial and logistical challenges such drastic changes entail. Ultimately, these moves can end up affecting both providers and clients in unexpected ways.
Take, for example, two providers currently making waves in New York:
Eva Loren and
Axelle Rod. Eva is preparing to move from San Francisco, while Axelle recently relocated to the city. Both are making bold transitions, but I’m not sure the results will align with their expectations.
Eva’s decision to leave San Francisco isn’t shocking—after all, the city’s cost of living crisis is among the worst in the nation. While New York may offer a better situation in some respects, it comes with its own set of challenges: safety concerns, building a new client base, reestablishing herself, and, most importantly, adapting to increased costs.
Currently, Eva’s rates are $2,000 for two hours and $2,500 for three hours—on the higher end, but still reasonable compared to others. However, it’s hard to imagine those rates remaining stable for long. Between the financial pressures of living in New York and the challenges of reestablishing herself in a new city, I wouldn’t be surprised if Eva raises her rates by $500 or more within the next year.
Axelle’s situation feels like the opposite. She’s already made the move, but I believe the realities of living and working in New York are hitting her quickly. Axelle’s rates are steep: $3,000 for one to two hours and $3,500 for three hours, as listed on her website. While such rates might work for a small, exclusive clientele, it’s hard to imagine them being sustainable in the long run.
I anticipate Axelle will likely adjust her rates downward to maintain her lifestyle and attract a broader client base. While this could benefit clients, it might also lead to Axelle seeing more clients than she’s accustomed to in order to balance her finances. Over time, this could result in burnout or impact the quality of her services.
Some providers thrive when relocating or traveling, leveraging new markets and diverse clientele. Success in such moves often depends on a provider’s strategy, adaptability, and ability to build relationships quickly. I don’t know Eva or Axelle well enough to make definitive predictions about their trajectories in New York. They may already have a strong following here that ensures their success.
However, history shows us that relocating isn’t always as simple as it seems. Time will reveal whether these moves were the right call. For now, both providers—and their clients—will need to navigate the adjustments that come with big changes.
