Moving to a new city is difficult, especially if you’re alone. From meeting new people and finding a new place to live to organizing transport and learning to find your way around, there is no shortage of challenges. There is also much to look forward to. Here are some ideas on what to consider before you move.
Your new place
If you are considering sharing a place, you can look for listings online. If you have the budget for it, a real estate broker can help you find your own place. Before you actually move, consider your daily budget and the budget you have available to move.
Moving companies are costly if you’re planning to move very far away. Renting a truck is a more affordable option. Consider the new living and housing costs when setting the budget.
Explore your new neighborhood
Before you move, you can explore it online. Once you’re there, don’t give in to the temptation to stay in all day or come home right after work if you don’t work from home. Explore the best areas in the city and get a place to live there, ideally. You can have lunch outside in a park at the very least. Look for local amenities or join a local gym.
After you move, find the local dry cleaners and the closest mall and grocery store, and check out the local eateries and bars. Community groups’ social events are worth trying if you don’t know how to make new friends. What’s more, being outdoors and socially active can help you feel less homesick.
Consider the crime rate
Don’t consider moving to an area where you won’t feel safe unless you have absolutely no other choice. A short drive around the area won’t necessarily tell you everything – appearances can lie. Look for things like protective cages around windows – this is a sign of frequent breaking and entering. Talk to friends, locals, or coworkers who know the area well. They’ll be able to tell you what living there is like and if anyone they know or they themselves have ever had any problems.
Check the local amenities
Local amenities are important depending on one’s individual situation. If you don’t have a car, you need a decent-sized supermarket in the area. If you have children, you’ll need a school nearby. Before you move, make a list of all the local amenities that are important to you. They might include a drugstore, a post office, or a doctor’s or dentist’s office nearby. Having a checklist is helpful to ensure you don’t miss anything.
How to meet new people
You can use some mobile apps to meet locals. They can be very helpful because meeting new people takes planning and effort. You need to be sociable and personable.
Apps like Meetup will help you meet people with your hobbies and interests. It is available nationwide and will probably be accessible in your new city.
To find other great apps for meeting new people, you can do a simple Google search. The mother of all search engines will lead you to countless ways to meet people in your new city.
Set a routine
Setting a routine will help you cope with the move more easily. It can be difficult to be in a new place where everything is unfamiliar. Starting every day the same way can feel soothing. You don’t need any elaborate plans – just walk your dog or go to a yoga class at the same time every day. A morning routine, in particular, will add much-needed predictability and comfort.
Introduce yourself to the neighbors
It almost always pays off to be on good terms with the neighbors, so don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to them. You might even end up making friends with one or more. It would be helpful to get at least one neighbor’s phone number so you can contact them in case of an emergency and vice versa.
Hope for the best
Don’t expect to get used to everything at once. Especially at the beginning, you might feel lonely and even a little frustrated. Don’t despair – life will get better with persistence and patience.
