So you’ve packed your moving truck and hit the road for the big city. Maybe you’re moving for work, a significant other, or to start a completely new adventure. Maybe your new city is The Big Apple, Los Angeles, Toronto, or even Houston. Whatever city you’re moving to or what your path looks like, there’s no reason to be overwhelmed! City living is much different than living in the suburbs! These tips below can help you learn how to adjust to city living!
Make the Most of Your Space
Most times, city living means sacrificing space. You’ll most likely find an apartment that’s smaller square footage than the home you lived in before. Be aware that less is always more in your city home! Before you move, try to consolidate what you have by donating what you don’t really need! This blog post can help you get creative with your apartment of loft ling space. If the space you have to work with isn’t’ sufficient, opt to store your off-season or bulkier items at a storage location nearby.
Noises
Not all the noises here are things that go bump in the night! What I learned when I moved to the city was that the sounds of the city were much different than what I was used to living in a suburban area. Things like neighbors, public transit bells, sirens, cars, and so on were things that kept me up at night. The one things I have to say is that for the most part, you will get used to the city sounds. They won’t go away, but you’ll become so accustom them that you won’t even pay attention to them! If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, try turning on a fan or maybe some ambient noises to soften the surrounding noise.
Master Public Transportation
Unlike living in a suburban area where you’re more likely to get from A to B in your car, city dwellers rely on public transit. There are two key tips for understanding public transportation:
- understanding the rates and
- mapping your route
Knowing the transit rates beforehand can give you confidence in knowing that you need to pay for and what’s the best method of payment. Mapping your route is crucial! This will help you plan on what train, bus, rail, etc. you need to be and any transfers you need to connect to. A further tip is also important: TEST YOUR ROUTE! You don’t want to start your first day of work at your new job late because you couldn’t remember to connect to the C train. Note: be sure to give yourself extra travel time while you’re getting the hang of your route. This post can give you more information on the topic.
Take Safety Precaution
Big city living has some additional precautions to consider. Some guidelines to implement are to make sure your doors and windows are locked at your home. When you’re out in the city, especially by yourself, text a friend a family member that you’re going out so someone knows where you are. One big tip for safety in the city is to NOT look like you don’t belong or like a tourist. You don’t want to be marked as a target for someone to take advantage of you.
Explore
One of the best parts about living in a big city is enjoying the variety of things to do! While it’s important to take the safety precautions listed about, you’ve gotta get out and explore! If you’re anything like me, you might get lost while you’re still adjusting yourself to the new city. Program your home address in your phone or drop a pin so know how to easily get back. Things you’ll want to find while exploring are your go-tos, like grocery stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, etc. When you’re out and about be friendly- you never know when you’ll meet a new friend! You can also ask locals their recommendation on things to do and places to go!
Have you lived in a big city? Share your tips on how you adjusted in the comments section below!
