Moving to a new city alone to make a fresh start is an exciting time. A new location gives you a chance to discover more about yourself and truly spread your wings. However, making the move on your own can make it much more stressful.
That’s understandable. Moving to a new city can seem intimidating. Living somewhere far from familiar sights, family and friends can also feel like taking a big risk. But it can lead to some of the most memorable times of your life.
Making it work in a new city requires a good attitude. You want to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. It’s impossible to know where your new adventure will take you. But being open to new experiences will make your new city feel like home much faster.
11 Tips For Living Alone in a New City
If you’re getting ready to move to a new city alone, then these tips can help make the transition to your new home much smoother. Most of these revolve around two main ideas: staying open to new experiences and setting aside time for yourself.
Tie Up Loose Ends In Old City
First things first. Nothing kills the fun of moving to a new city quite like still dealing with business back in the old one. Make a checklist for moving to a new city and ensure that you take care of issues such as disconnecting utilities, forwarding mail, and taking steps to not lose your deposit.
Don’t Leave Old Relationships
You want to settle all your business in your old city, but not leave behind your friends there. Thanks to FaceTime, Skype, and social media, it’s possible to stay connected with old friends no matter where you live. Keeping in touch with old friends ensures that you won’t feel lonely as you start your new life in a new city.
Research Your City and Neighborhood
When you chose a new place to live, you probably did so with your commute to work in mind. You may have already mapped out where you plan to grocery shop, get gas, go to the gym or go for a run. But it’s also important to research what restaurants, museums, parks, and other local attractions. The more you get out and see, the more at home you will feel.
Take Sunday Drives (Or Walks)
On your free days without work or school, plan to get around a bit without anything specific in mind. Just driving or walking around your new city can lead you to finding places you did not expect to find. And when you’re hanging out in the cool cafe you stumbled across, don’t bury yourself in your phone! Stay open to interacting with the people around you.
Be a Tourist
Don’t skip well-known landmarks or attractions in your new city just because they are well-known. For at least the first few months, act like a tourist and check out the places that make your new city famous. It’s another way of having fun while you learn about your new surroundings.
Create New Relationships
If you came to the new city for a job, then co-workers can quickly become new friends. The same goes for classmates if you came to the city for school. While it’s easy to settle in with a streaming service every night, it’s far better to hang out with new friends who can make the new city special.
Save Some Cash
Sitting around broke in your new city is not going to be a lot of fun. In the months before moving to a new city alone, try to set aside as much cash as possible. Doing without for a while will pay off once you arrive in your new city, where having extra cash can allow you to make the most of what your new city has to offer.
Leave Stuff Behind
Getting rid of stuff you don’t need is one of the best ways to save money on your move. Once you have the mentality that you can cut down on what you take with you, it becomes very easy to move to your new city with a light load. A junk removal service can make the job that much easier.
Roommates Can Help – Maybe
Having a roommate in your new city can make it easier to pay bills and leave you with extra cash in your pocket. However, you have to be careful in choosing a roommate. They don’t necessarily have to become your best friend, but you want someone you can live with comfortably. Social media, community bulletin boards, alumni networks, and friends of a friend are some of the most common ways to find a roommate.
Pursue New Interests
Maybe you’ve always wanted to play guitar, cook like a chef or study classic literature. Now is the perfect time to do the things you always wanted to do. New cities afford the opportunity to take a class, join a club or take up a hobby. All can provide a great way to meet new people.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
This takes having a great attitude. But doing something that usually scares or intimidates you can lead to some interesting places. For example, go to an event on your own, but be ready to meet and talk to new people. It can not only lead to new friendships but also boost your confidence.
These 11 ideas for moving to a new city can get you started on the right foot in your new hometown. You don’t have to do them all. But try a few. It can take something that seems fraught with risk and turn it into one of the most memorable adventures of your life.
