Moving to a new city is a thrilling adventure. You pack your life into cardboard boxes, load them into the back of a Uhaul, hug your loved ones goodbye for now, and trade the familiar feelings of home for the opportunity to venture into the unknown.
You save every penny you have. You sell things on Craiglist. You spend hours apartment hunting, hoping the internet pictures aren’t as bad as they seem. You make plans for the immediate future, and are excited, hopeful and terrified all at the same time.
Moving, whether you drive an hour away from home or fly 2,000 miles across the country, gives you the opportunity to start fresh. It’s a journey, in every sense of the word. And while there are so many things to consider before making the move, sometimes, you have to trust your instincts and go.
Sure, when you move, you’re faced with a whole set of challenges, including meeting new people, learning to navigate in unfamiliar territory and starting a new job.
Everything is relatively unknown. But, these moments of not knowing and feeling out of place don’t last forever. It gets better. Your new city will eventually become your new home. You just have to give it time.
And when you’re feeling lost, follow these tips to find yourself in a new city:
1. Explore
Starting your new life in a new city is filled with endless possibilities. There are restaurants to try, neighborhoods to venture to, boutiques to shop — the list goes on.
Research your new city and make a list of the spots you want to visit. Make it a personal goal to go to at least one (two or three if you’re feeling up to it!) each week.
When you don’t know a soul in a new environment, it can be tempting to hide out in your apartment. But getting out and exploring will help you feel at home faster than you may think.
2. Focus on your career.
If you moved for a job, now is the time to really focus on going the extra mile to stand out at work and make positive strides professionally.
Attend networking events in your area and connect with like-minded people in your field. Building relationships with other professionals in the city will help to grow your personal network and give you a better understanding of the market.
3. Get involved.
Volunteering for charitable causes in your community is a great way to give back, explore your interests, meet more people, and get to know your neighborhood better.
If you don’t know what you’re interested in just yet, here are some tips for figuring it out.
4. Start a blog.
Are you a certified foodie who loves to try new restaurants? Maybe you have a strong interest in fashion. Or, maybe you want to keep your family and friends back home up-to-date on your new life. Use your personal hobbies and interests as motivation to start a blog.
Not only will this give you something creative to do in your down time, but it will also lead you to meet new people in your area and learn more about yourself in the process.
5. Be patient.
Things won’t feel perfect over night. It may take weeks, months or even a full year to feel like you’ve found yourself in a new city. It takes time. Be patient and let everything fall into place the way it’s supposed to.
Your twenties are the period in your life where you try new things to see what works. And if things don’t go as planned? Just remember, you can always move back home. If you do end up moving back, don’t feel like you failed. Trying is so much better than wondering “what if” 20 years from now.
Have you moved to a new city? What are some pieces of advice you’d give to those considering it?
About the Author
Natalie graduated from Xavier University in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations. She works at a PR agency in Columbus, Ohio and currently manages PR efforts for a major restaurant brand. She loves photography, blogging, and traveling to new places, whether it's to a restaurant up the street or 2,000 miles across the country. She hopes to continue to surround herself with inspiring people and firmly believes you can learn so much from those around you--their passion is contagious. She also wants to make it a goal to pay it forward, and give her time and resources to those who are just starting out. She believes networking is the true key to success!
Website: nataliewashere.com/