Moving to a Big City: Tips and Advice

Moving to a big city can be exciting and daunting at the same time. On one hand, it can be an adventure that offers endless entertainment and opportunities for personal growth. Alternatively, you might be concerned about higher living costs, job opportunities, or making new friends. Relax, follow these tips, and enjoy the ride.

Do Your Research

Find out as much as you can about your destination before you move. Investigate local job opportunities and housing options. If you have limited funds but have friends or family living in the city you’re moving to, arrange to stay with them for a few days. This allows you to do your research at your own pace. Also, find out where local physicians and hospitals are located. Additionally, if you’re moving from a small town to a big city, your living costs are likely to be higher, so determine what they are beforehand. When you’ve figured out where you want to relocate to, real estate professional Rick Weiss can help you find the perfect home that suits your and your family’s needs.

Find Employment

It’s one less thing for you to worry about if you already have a job in your chosen city. But if you don’t, keep in mind that although there may be more opportunities, there will also be a greater number of applicants. Consider having your resume updated by a professional to stand out from the crowd. Use it to apply for jobs online, and take it with you when visiting your local job fair.

Instead of working for someone else, you may have decided to start your own business. In this case, create a business plan. Include company description, service selling techniques, business structure, funding ideas, and financial projections.

Explore and Make New Friends

You can only get to know your adopted city and make new friends by exploring it. Examine your immediate neighborhood before moving on to the big city. You’ll soon discover the city’s most popular go-to places where you can meet new friends. If bars and clubs aren’t your scenes, there are several other ways of meeting new people.

• Facebook groups. Simply type into Facebook the name of your city followed by terms such as newbie, and once you’ve found a local group, introduce yourself.

• Friends of friends. If any of your current friends have friends living in the city you’re moving to, ask them to introduce you.

• Join a class. If you’re looking for new friends who share your interests, join a local class you’re interested in, such as yoga, dance, or art.

• Say yes. Organizing everything after a move can be tiresome. Don’t let this stop you from saying yes when someone invites you out. It could be the start of a whole new network of friends.

• Join a book club. Whether you’re an avid reader or not, book clubs are an excellent way of introducing yourself to new people. • Join a hiking group. Joining a hiking group is a great way to meet new people in a more relaxed environment than going to bars and cafes.

A Smooth Transition

It may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Being aware of the costs, your work and housing options, and how to make new friends in a big city can make the transition from a small town to a big city easier.