Moving for work is never just about the job. It’s about schools and partners, new routines, and old questions: Will we feel at home? Will it be worth it?

At Staffbase, relocation isn’t a checkbox – it’s a journey.
We spoke to two employees who packed up their lives in Amsterdam and Munich (families included) and moved to Chemnitz. Here’s what they shared about their decisions, challenges, and why they haven’t looked back.

Meet Regina and Ben.

Meet Regīna and Benjamin

Regīna: My name is Regīna Baļčūne and I have taken on a role of Senior Director, Group Financial Controller and look after four teams at Staffbase – Accounts Payable, Record to Report, Order to Cash and Payroll.  I was born in Latvia and have lived in Latvia, Sweden and the Netherlands. I moved to Chemnitz in February 2025 with my husband. My two kids (19 and 22 years old) stayed in the Netherlands.

Ben: My name is Ben and at Staffbase I take care of Corporate Development, which is about our strategic partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, international expansion and also investor relations. I joined the company in April 2022 in Munich and moved to Chemnitz in August 2024, together with my wife (who also works for Staffbase) and two kids (3 and 4 years old).

 

The Decision to Move

What sparked the idea to relocate?

Regīna:  Relocating for this role felt like the right decision for a combination of reasons. On a personal level, the timing aligned well with some changes in our family life, and we were open to exploring new environments. I’ve always had a love for nature and a preference for calmer, less crowded places.

But ultimately, what made the decision clear was the opportunity at Staffbase. The company’s vision, especially the chance to contribute to building a strong team in Chemnitz, was incredibly motivating. It’s not just a great role and one that I could see myself growing with, both personally and professionally.

What were your initial thoughts about Chemnitz?

Regīna: To be completely honest, I didn’t really know Chemnitz at all. I did know that there was once a town called Karl-Marx-Stadt, but I wasn’t exactly sure where it was. So learning about the town and its surroundings was and will definitely be a big part of our journey. 

Ben: I’m originally from Chemnitz and have family there – so it has always been somewhat of an option. But I never really considered it, until we became parents. It’s tough to raise two kids if both parents want to work full time – without any family around. Also, Munich is a great city, but also very crowded and expensive. Chemnitz offers a lot of possibilities when it comes to where you live and what you want to do.

Was your family immediately on board?

Ben: If your partner doesn’t have any relation to Chemnitz, they won’t love the idea right away. Moving to Chemnitz is not an emotional decision, it’s a rational decision. So as we planned out what our life post-relocation would look like, we as a family found many positive aspects in it. And ultimately, that did convince us.

The kids obviously loved the idea of being closer to the rest of the family.

What factors made you say “yes” in the end?

Regīna: In the end, I said yes because I truly believe this experience will bring a lot of good. Every time we’ve made a big move in the past, it’s been challenging—sometimes lonely, often difficult—but always deeply enriching. You grow, you learn, and you come out of it with new perspectives. This was a chance to get to know a new country, meet new people, explore new places—and at the same time, be part of Staffbase’s fascinating journey. That combination of personal growth and professional purpose felt really special. So even knowing it wouldn’t always be easy, it just felt like the right thing to do.

Ben: A combination of factors: the family, lower costs, but also proximity to the HQ of the company. It’s a gamechanger to move from being fully remote to building real personal connections with your co-workers. 

 

The Realities of Relocation

What were your biggest questions or worries before moving?

Regīna: The only real worry I had was being far from family and close friends. That’s always the hardest part – leaving the people who’ve been such a constant in your life. Everything else felt manageable, but that emotional distance is tough.
At the same time, I’ve learned that staying close doesn’t always mean being physically nearby. It just takes a bit more effort – more calls, more planned visits, more little check-ins.

Ben: Moving away from Munich felt like a downgrade – you think you’ll miss the alps, the beergardens, the airport and all the big city life. But ultimately, if your life is mostly about work and family, you’re not really missing any of these things on most days of the year. 

What kind of support did you receive from Staffbase during the transition?

Regīna: Aside from the relocation services, which were an amazing help, what really stood out to me was the support from the people at Staffbase. Everyone’s been incredibly kind and willing to help with just about anything – whether it was recommending the best German movies to watch, where to shop, a good dentist, or the nicest spots to visit nearby.
It’s those little things that made such a big difference during the transition. There are so many genuinely wonderful people in this company, and their openness and friendliness really made us feel welcomed and supported from the very beginning.

Ben: Everyone was very welcoming and also excited to have us come to the HQ. Many colleagues offered to help with all kinds of things around the move: tips for Kindergarten, activities, doctors, babysitters and so on. It was great to get all of this support.

 

Building a New Life

What surprised you about Chemnitz – good or bad?

Regīna:I was really pleasantly surprised by how kind and friendly people are in Chemnitz – and by how many speak excellent English. I wouldn’t say I expected something terrible, but there’s definitely a kind of prejudice that surrounds Chemnitz. Before coming here, all I had to go on was what others had told me.
Experiencing it firsthand has been completely different – and in the best way. I’m genuinely happy to see how welcoming it is, and if I can play even a small part in changing the perception by sharing my positive experience, I’ll gladly do it.

Ben: I’ve known Chemnitz very well from the time I was a child. I rediscovered some areas I haven’t been to in 20 years. And it’s exciting to see how things have changed – and improved in many ways.  

What has the move changed in your life, beyond your job?

Regīna: Beyond the job, the move has definitely added more adventure to our weekends! We’ve been traveling a lot, taking every chance to explore the surroundings – and there’s so much to see. Castles, lakes, little towns we’d never heard of… it’s become a bit of a hobby to just hop in the car and discover what’s out there.

Ben: Our whole family has become much more active. I started to play tennis and chess regularly, because I feel like I have more time now (and because it’s almost impossible to get a tennis coach in Munich). We do more things on the weekend, because there are so many new things to discover.

If someone else were considering relocating here for a role, what would you tell them?

Regīna: I’d say any move can go either way – it can be the best thing that ever happened to you, or the hardest. So it’s really important to take the time to think about what kind of lifestyle you want and whether Chemnitz fits that.
If it does, then this could turn out to be one of the best decisions you ever make. It’s all about knowing what you want and being open to the adventure.

Ben: Give it a try – chances are you’ll be positively surprised.

 

Relocation isn’t just a logistics project – it’s a leap of trust. And for many, it opens more than just doors to new jobs – it leads to better balance, purpose, and community.

Thinking about making a move of your own? We’re here to make it a meaningful one.