Moving from a small town or suburb to a large city can be an intimidating proposition. Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible.
Research Before You Move
It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about:
- School systems
- Neighborhoods
- Parking
- Weather
- Public transportation
- Laws that are native to that area.
If you can, visit a city before moving and connect with someone who’s lived there before.
Have a Plan
There are a lot of steps to go through before you start packing the moving truck:
- Find housing before you leave, or at least know where you’ll stay while you look for a home. Never sign a lease on an apartment that you haven’t seen. If you can’t get there, find a friend or an employer to check for you.
- Have a job waiting for you, or if that’s not possible, know what you’ll do for money in the first few weeks of living there.
- Try to line up things like driver’s licenses, car insurance, renter’s insurance, and parking passes ahead of time as well. [Image of apartment rental checklist]
Get Involved
Meeting people in a big city can be daunting.
- Don’t expect the neighbors to knock your door down with a casserole when you arrive: city life is often too noisy and hectic. Take the initiative.
- If there are things you liked to do in your town, find ways to do those things in the city.
- Try new things. Volunteer.
- Big cities offer so many opportunities to engage other people, so find what you like.
Mind Your Wallet
City life is expensive.
- Everything costs more: food, insurance, clothes, rent.
- There are also a lot more ways to get ripped off, whether legally or criminally.
- Be careful how you spend, and know where your money is going.
Would you like tips on how to specifically budget for a move to a new city?
