Moving to a New City Can be a Life Changing Experience if You Have the Right Attitude

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Moving to a new city can be an exciting adventure, full of new possibilities and experiences. It can also be unsettling, lonely and disorienting. When you leave your home, whether it be your college town, hometown, or just a place you have called home for a length of time, there are a mix of emotions at play. There is a feeling of excitement at moving to a new place, starting a new phase of your life, and meeting new people. But there can also be a feeling of sadness at the friends and familiar places you are leaving behind, and worry about how you will like the new environment. So how can you ease the transition to a new city or town, and make yourself feel more comfortable with the change, while also opening yourself up for new experiences?

First, try to do as much research as you can about your new home. Go to the city website or the convention and visitor’s bureau site or talk to people who are familiar with your new city. If you know what part of town you will be living in, find out what restaurants, stores, parks, recreation areas, museums, etc. are near you. Something as simple as locating your nearest Starbucks or favorite store can make you feel slightly more at home with your new neighborhood.

Once you have a little feeling of home to ease your fears of leaving behind everything familiar, open your mind to what makes your new city different than where you came from. Is there a distinctive regional cuisine or culture that you want to explore, or is the natural environment unique? For instance, if you are moving to the Northwest from the dessert, you might want to find out about hiking trails through ancient redwood forests or drives along the coast. If you are moving from a warm climate to a cold climate, find out about activities you may not have had easy access to before, like skiing, snowshoeing or outdoor ice skating. If you are moving from the Midwest to the coast, find out about surfing lessons or sailing classes.

Next, become an amateur anthropologist and find out about the natives. What makes the people in the area unique? How are they different than people where you came from? If you are moving from the South to the North, from a small town to a large city, or from one coast to the other, the culture may be quite different than what you are used to. The key is to have an open mind, and to not judge people before you meet them. Be open to their ideas, even if you don’t always agree with them, and see this as a learning experience, and a way to see life from a different perspective.

When you get to your new city, don’t just go to work and go home to a microwave dinner just because you don’t know anyone. Find ways to meet new people. If you are interested in art or history, many museums are open late on Friday or Saturday nights and have cocktail hours or special exhibits. Or you can check out the local university for lectures or cultural events. If you like to cook, take a class—you will learn some new ways to spice up your meals, and meet people who share your passion. You can also join a professional organization to network with others in your field and have fun at the same time. Most organizations host parties and cocktail hours on a regular basis. If you are single, there are many churches that have singles groups, and there are activity-based groups that host parties, trips, outdoor adventures and classes. Since everyone else will be single, you won’t feel strange coming alone.

If you have an open mind and open heart, and are willing to embrace the unique spirit of your new city, moving can be a life-changing event. It can give you a different perspective and can help you to understand new cultures and lifestyles. It can also boost your confidence, and your sense of adventure and ability to adapt and grow.

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