Moving to a big city can be a lot of fun, but it can also be pretty stressful. If this is your first time living on your own, it can get a bit scary and lonely, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few tips to help you adjust to your new life in a new neighborhood.
Get Settled In Your New Space
Moving to a new city is stressful enough. But you’d be surprised how many people add to that stress by moving into their new home and only unpacking a little at a time. The result is that they never feel fully at home in the new space. And then they waste time searching through half-filled boxes to find misplaced items. With everything unpacked and put away, you won’t have a messy home to make you feel nervous about inviting new friends or coworkers over to hang out on your day off.
This is also a good time to make repairs or upgrades to your new home. Big cities are notorious for being noisy at all hours, but soundproof window installation can cut the noise levels way down. This can help with the transition to your new home if you aren’t used to living on a busy street. Installing some additional weatherstripping around your doors can also help.
Explore Your New Neighborhood
If you have a car, start exploring the streets and shopping centers near your home. Figure out the routes to your workplace, the nearest grocery stores, restaurants, shopping mall, gas stations, and hospital. Download apps like Yelp! or GrubHub to find the best places to eat. If you’ll be on foot, download the local bus transit app, purchase a bus pass and start learning the routes you’ll need to take to get to all these places.
Go Make Some New Friends
If you already have a job lined up in your new city, your coworkers will likely be some of the first locals you get to know. Don’t be shy if invited to go out for drinks after work or to get lunch together. Just say, “Yes” and go have a good time. If you’re working remotely, or if you just aren’t clicking with the new coworkers yet, try searching online for local meetups and classes based on hobbies or other shared interests. If you’re a regular church-goer, find a local church to attend.
Stay Connected Back Home
As you move into this new phase of your life, keeping in touch with family and friends back home can help you stay grounded. A quick phone call on the weekend or after work will only take a few minutes, but it’ll be good for you to hear their voice. They’ll also appreciate not being forgotten. Also be sure to share pics and videos on social media of your new home, new friends, and favorite spots around town.
Adjusting to your new neighborhood can be smooth and stress-free. Just follow these simple tips, make some new friends, and have fun exploring your new city.
About the author:
Emma is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2