5 Things To Do When You Move Into A City
When you’re ready to move out and move forward to the next big part of your life, it can often be stressful and exhilarating at once. If you are someone who is coming from another country, out of state, or moving out of the suburban life, you could be thinking about trying out city life. Living in higher populated locations can be quite intimidating. There are several factors you must consider and plans to lay out to ensure better living. In that case, every place you go has its highs and lows.
The smartest thing to do is to associate yourself in the new environment and adapt to changes. Culture and human behaviors will be quite different. With careful planning in mind, here are 5 Things To Do When You Move Into a City.
1. Be Familiar With Transportation
Transportation is the number one thing to keep track of when you move into a city. Are there taxi cabs available? Where do buses drive to? Different states also have different rules of the road. You will need to know how to get to school or work safely and effectively. Another option would be to use a rideshare app. Being the new person in a city, this option could be saved for when you are past the novice scale for safety reasons. Get comfortable walking around parks and streets. This will allow you to remember where buildings and stops are. Tour the busy streets and find transportation in pairs or groups if possible. The downside to moving into a city is the heavy traffic and unusual bus times.
2. Prepare For The Weather
Weather change in cities within the Northern Hemisphere, stepping away from warmer climates can be challenging. Moving from the Northern to Southern Hemisphere would be the same way. Once you become familiar with shopping centers and malls in the city, take the time to shop for necessary clothing. Check the weather app often to know what to wear for the day. Bring an umbrella for those pouring days and a hat for the heat. When a city is filled with coniferous trees, beaches, and tall buildings, the weather would most likely be colder.
3. Do Research and Tour the City
You cannot move to urban areas without getting to know its pros and cons first. Before there were cellphones and satellite maps, people have used telephone booths and paper maps. It would take hours to find the five-star restaurants your friends have raved about. Technological advances have now become beneficial. Make use of the internet and find out more about the city you will be in. Use the maps app on your phone to pinpoint yourself to the right directions, and of course, don’t be afraid to ask for help. In large cities such as Seattle for example, tourists and newcomers become lost all the time. They eagerly want to see what the city has to offer, but don’t know how to start and where. Know where to go and ask along the way.
4. Visit a Local Coffee Shop
Even if you don’t drink coffee or tea, a coffee shop will usually make you feel at home. People from all around the city are craving for some type of beverage. This is also an excellent place to start conversations with someone new. Greet the barista, make small talk with the person next to you. Of course, there are introverts and extroverts all around the country, when you move into a city, do not be discouraged when someone does not want to talk to you. Spend your time enjoying a latte. While you are there, see if there are free newspapers to read. Local newspapers with be old-fashioned but readily available to tell you about city occurrences.
5. Be Aware of Surroundings
Contradicting to the last point, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Moving into a city can be tempting and unpredictable. You will not just come across locals, but people who are visiting just as you are moving in. It isn’t safe to assume all people will be welcoming with open arms. Coming from a small town, city life can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In many cases, Urban areas will always have their crime rates and noise. As you become used to public transportation, there will be noise. Nightlife is a common activity, neighbors across the street will have their weekend parties.
