Relocating: what's the best way to do it??

[Jasnaa]

So I'm currently living with my partner at her parents house so we are able to save to buy our first house! 😁
However we have decided that when we buy we are going to move closer to my family.
We currently live in Cambridgeshire and will be moving just over 100 miles away.
The only way I see this happening is once we have saved enough, is to get a mortgage and buy a house in the area we are moving to. Once the house has been purchased we would continue to stay at her parents until we have both found jobs in the local area we are moving to and then move into our new home.
My question really is if this is the best way to do this? I've seen some advice which says to get a job, then rent for 6 months then buy, however we have a dog which would make renting more difficult.
Would we be able to get a mortgage of we are buying a house over 100 miles away?
Just a bit confused on the situation and am looking for some much needed advice!

[JoJoSM2]

My friend tried to do that and was refused a residential mortgage as the property very obviously wasn’t commutable to work. It was clear to the lender that she either rent it out or be out of work if she moved.

However, some people seem to manage so hopefully they’ll share how they’ve done it.

[JeffreysWorkTrousers]

Having relocated myself over 100 miles I would absolutely rent first. Local knowledge of an area and testing out the commute is essential.

I would scout areas for rent and considering how many people do rent there must be places that accept dogs. Secure the job first, then the rented house then you can browse at leisure for buying.

[Ragwort]

I would have thought it was more important to get the jobs first, we relocated to the other side of the country, but only after one of us had secured a permanent job offer. We then rented for a few months before deciding the exact location to buy in.

Could you go ahead and live temporarily with your family?

[Magstermay]

Agree with PP the mortgage company will want your job to be easily commutable to the new area, or for you to be working locally depending what your job is. When we relocated we had to make sure I had another job before we could get a mortgage. We rented first so we could wait for the right house to come up to buy.

[Jasnaa]

Thank you everyone for you advice!
The area that we would be moving too I've lived in most of my life so I know the area quite well.
It all makes sense though, at least now I have more of an idea of the steps I should take.
@ragwort living with my family is something I've considered, however I don't want to be a burden if I don't have to.
Thank you!

[Ragwort]

If you don’t want to be a burden why are you living at your partner’s parents’ home?