Moving to a big city from a small town is a challenging but rewarding task. Jobs, school, family, a fresh start: people change locations for a long list of valid reasons. Whether you’re moving to a new city alone, with friends, or with family, life in the big city will be an adjustment. Here are some moving musts to keep in mind before you bid adieu to small town charm in favor of the bright lights of a big city!
Research the Area
Before you make the big move, research the new city. Moving from a small town to a big city means immersing yourself in a whole new landscape. If you’re moving before you find a job, see what types of jobs are available and where you want to apply. Look at crime maps and local laws to get a general idea of where you would like to live. It’s also a good idea to look at personal accounts of the city as well. If you know someone in the area, ask them about different neighborhoods, amenities, and the general dos and don'ts of the area. If you don’t know anyone from the area, look at blogs, internet forums, or groups on social media.
Narrow Your Apartment Search
After you have a good feel for the area, think about things you want and need to be nearby. Public transportation, work, and grocery stores as well as restaurants, shops, and entertainment options should be easily accessible to your new apartment. Figure out which neighborhoods fit your location and atmosphere requirements. Then, search for apartments within these parameters.
If you can, visit each neighborhood you’re considering before settling on your new place. Some initial safety steps when checking out apartments might be to survey the area for safety measures, check the lighting, research local crime, and make sure your potential building has a fire escape. Also, take note of proximity to public transit locations, grocery stores, and entertainment venues. Most importantly, can you get to work in a reasonable amount of time?
Pack the Essentials
A little goes a long way in small towns, so be prepared for the transition to renting in a much smaller space by only packing the essentials. Moving to a big city is the perfect time to declutter your life and keep to the basics. Pack only what you need. This doesn’t mean you can’t buy more stuff later. Sticking to the essentials allows you to adjust to the new space and not overcrowd it on day one. Plus, fewer items to move means it’ll be a quicker and cheaper moving process.
Make Moving Day Easy
Start out on the right foot by making sure moving day is seamless. If you can swing it, hire movers. Big cities are typically difficult to navigate. The streets are narrow, there’s not a lot of parking, traffic is heavy, and your new apartment could only have stairs rather than an elevator and be quite small. All these things are the perfect recipe for a stressful moving day. Save yourself the aggravation and budget for movers. They’re professionals, so navigating through the city and getting you into your new place will be quick and easy for them.
Budget for Big City Costs
Life in the big city will likely be more costly than life in a small town. Rent prices aren’t the only bill that will be higher; the day-to-day will be more expensive as well. Your budget will need to be adjusted for things like groceries, utilities, gas, taxes, etc. Research average prices for essential items in your new area and try to adjust your budget accordingly. Don’t forget to include the actual cost of moving your belongings to your new city with you. You still might be a bit shocked when you get that first credit card bill, but once you get a feel for prices in your area, you’ll be able to perfect your budget.
Consider a Roommate
Moving to a new city alone is a big leap and might feel lonely in the beginning. A roommate may make this process go smoother. A roommate could introduce you to a new group of friends, be a buddy for new adventures, or just someone to help cut costs. You just need to be very cautious because a bad roommate could make life a lot harder. If you won’t be rooming with someone you know, make sure that you have spent a lot of time getting to know the potential roommate before you sign a lease with them.
Find a Niche
The best way to get acclimated to a new city is to be a part of the community. Try out new things and find your niche. The best part about big cities is all the opportunities. Volunteer groups, exercise classes, art centers, book clubs, etc. are more than likely all at your fingertips. Try stuff out and see what sticks. You might even make some new friends along the way.
Connect With People
It’s easy to fall into the mindset that you’ll arrive in the big city and make dozens of friends your first week. But that may not be the case, as it can be challenging to make friends in a new area, despite the increase in surrounding population. However, there are ways to make it easier. Reach out to people and make connections. Find alumni groups, get together with coworkers, make plans with people from a class you took, get in touch with that friend of a friend. Try your hardest to not turn down plans. It’s important to find your group of people to make the city truly feel like home.
Get Lost on Purpose
Get lost (safely) in your new city. Switching off your maps and finding your way around is the best way to get acclimated to your surroundings. Of course, keep safety in mind. Don’t do this at night or in questionable areas. Wandering around during the day in a safe part of town is a great way to adjust to your new surroundings.
Have a Safe Space
Find a place outside of your house where you feel like you can go to decompress. Quiet and relaxing places like a park, library, or coffee shop can make you feel at home. Your safe space should be a spot where you can sit and feel completely comfortable. It will get you through the adjustment period as well as become your favorite place for relaxing and destressing in the future.
Take Advantage of Your City's Amenities
The best part about life in the big city is all the perks that come with. If your city allows it, rely on your car less and use public transportation, bike shares, and pedestrian walkways.
Big cities are also full of diversity and new experiences. Try things you could never do in your old town. Eat different foods, take a class you never thought you would, learn a new hobby, etc. Hit the ground running and spend time enjoying all the big city has to offer. Before moving, set aside some extra cash to spend on entertainment so you can get a taste of why you moved there in the first place. Doing so could make you a happier person and confirm your decision to make such a big move.
Make Your Rental Feel Like Home
Moving to a new place puts you out of your comfort zone. Your home should be set up as a cozy and welcoming spot where you can relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle. Even the most seasoned city dweller needs to step away and be in the peace and quiet of their own space. While renting doesn’t allow you to make major design changes, you can still decorate your apartment to make the place your own. To cure your homesickness, add personal touches like pictures and art that remind you of home.
Give Yourself a Break
Lastly, give yourself a break. Moving to a new place is hard for most people. In the beginning, you’re going to have good days and bad days. But that’s okay and completely normal, just be patient with yourself. Future you will thank you and tell you it’s all worth it.
Advantages of moving to a big city
If you’re still on the fence about making the jump into city life, it will be helpful to consider the advantages and disadvantages of life in the big city. Even if you’re certain you are ready to make the move, it’s still good to take some time to think about advantages and disadvantages to set up realistic expectations.
Large cities are filled with a large population, meaning people from different backgrounds and cultures will be your friends, coworkers, and neighbors, opening you up to a whole new world. Make the most of it and be adventurous by immersing yourself in new experiences.
Opportunities often abound in big cities. Jobs, new hobbies, and education opportunities are all plentiful in large metro areas. On that same note, cities come with countless options. In a small town, there might be one place to get pizza. In a big city, there could be 20 pizzerias in a 10-mile radius. Once you’re practically a native, you’ll still find things you’ve never tried before, so don’t be worried about getting stuck in a rut when you’re living in a big city.
Moving to a new city doesn’t only mean that your surroundings will change; your entire outlook on life will be changed. Big cities expose you to so many new experiences and challenge you in ways you’ve never considered.
Disadvantages of moving to a big city
Disadvantages should be considered as well. Like every place, big cities come with pros and cons. Listing out potential issues seems a bit negative, but it’s essential to understand the negatives of a city to be able to adjust to your new life.
The biggest downside to city life is the cost of living. There’s really no way around the changing prices other than completely redesigning your budget and adjusting to a new lifestyle. There will be a transition period, but once you perfect your budget it will become second nature.
Another con of city living is the heavy traffic. Traveling around town is easy thanks to walkable streets and public transportation. If you’re going somewhere out of town, you’ll likely have to deal with traffic and busy roads. Similarly, adjusting to the busyness of everyday life will take time as well. Life in small towns moves slower and is more laid back. In the big city, life is fast paced and can get intense. Getting used to the everyday hustle and bustle will take some time.
The main downside to moving to any new place is missing the people you left behind. New experiences are great, but sometimes you just want to be comfortable and surrounded by the people you love. It’s normal to miss your friends and family back home. Plan visits to go back home and invite friends and family to show them around your new town.
Moving puts people out of their comfort zone, but it’s especially difficult for those moving to a big city from a small town. You’ll be thrown into an environment you’re not used to, but that’s part of the experience. It takes time to adjust. Life in the big city is not for the faint of heart, but if you make it a point to focus on the positives, you’re bound to enjoy it.
