Advice When Moving To A New City By Yourself

Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash

It's never simple to relocate to a new location, and going it alone always presents some unique difficulties. Moving to a new city is one of the most empowering and exciting things you can do as an independent person, whether it's for a study abroad semester in your 20s, a post-graduation getaway, or a job & lifestyle change in your 30s or 40s.

You might be relocating for a job or school, or you might just be looking for a change of scenery. 

No matter what your reason is for a long-distance move, it can be an overwhelming and daunting process. From finding a new home to packing up your current one, there are countless tasks to complete before the big move.

That's why it's important to have a solid plan in place, and consider seeking the help of professional movers to make the process easier.

Professional movers have the experience and resources necessary to handle all aspects of a long-distance move, from packing and loading to transport and unloading. This can free up your time and energy to focus on other important aspects of the move, such as preparing yourself and your family for the transition to a new place. For example, if you are planning a move to Louisiana, a local moving company like Mandeville Movers can provide valuable assistance in ensuring a smooth and efficient relocation process.

Here are some suggestions to make your solo move effective, no matter the cause.

First, check out the area

I've visited cities I was sure I'd fall in love with, only to realize they weren't quite what I expected. It's not that I didn't enjoy great activities, delicious food, or positive experiences—it just turned out that one visit was enough.

To truly get a feel for a city before deciding it's "the one," I recommend planning a trip—even if it's a short one! Explore the neighborhoods, soak in the local atmosphere, and imagine yourself living there. If you're in London, for instance, start your day at a cozy cafe like Black Penny to set the tone. Take in the vibe, watch how the locals interact, and let the little details speak to you. Sometimes, it's the small, everyday moments that reveal whether a place feels like home.

Recognize that feeling lonely is normal

One of my close pals assisted me in moving. So, after driving down together, she took a flight back to her native country. I'll never forget spending my first weekend alone at home, scrolling through Instagram and Snapchat stories of all of my pals from home having fun together.

I experienced loneliness along with Anxiety. But I was aware that it was inevitable and completely typical. In the end, I realized that just because I was currently alone did not necessarily indicate that I made the wrong choice.

I suppose it was just a feeling I was destined to experience after relocating to a new metropolis so removed from my previous surroundings.

You're likely to experience some of these emotions as well. So, set reasonable goals! What got me through these tough times? implementing the upcoming advice!

Leave your safe zone

This will be extremely important if you've never been alone. I recall how anxious I was on my first solo journey, going out to dinner alone and participating in activities by myself. But after I had done it a few times, I felt so free.

I came to the realization that I only need myself to complete any tasks I set for myself. Additionally, it made meeting new individuals so much simpler! Going alone can help you become much more accessible. Later, more on that.

Funny story: I went sightseeing by myself when I traveled alone to Tampa before relocating here. When calling names for roll call, the tour leader reportedly said, "Destiny Snyder, party of 1?" I recall it like it was yesterday. And as I raised my palm, everyone turned to face me. Although I was initially a little embarrassed, I ended up chatting to a lot of the travelers, and now I enjoy reflecting on the experience to see how far I've come!

Become sociable

Along with exploring, people play a significant role in making a location feel like home. Don't worry if it takes some time to locate your people; Rome wasn't built in a day!

Do lots of fun activities right now!

Whether or not you have someone coming with you, you should attempt to take advantage of your first few days in a new city by doing everything you possibly can. While it is perfectly normal to want to hold off going to that fascinating museum or fantastic park until you have visitors or meet new friends, it is preferable to go when you first arrive for a number of reasons.

 First off, you never know when "real" life will swoop in and you'll be saddled with obligations like employment, etc. The second is that you never know when you will no longer feel like a visitor (or at least want to stop feeling like a tourist).

This might entail spending a weekend visiting some of the museums you've been meaning to visit (check to see if there are "free" days; many of the biggest museums in the nation have at least one day per month when they are free to enter! ), checking out the neighborhood craft beer bar that looks really chill, or exploring different neighborhoods to see what adorable little cafes or boutiques you can find.

When you reside in a city like New York City, London, San Francisco, etc., you might find that being around tourists all the time wears you out. You might even start to avoid activities that you feel are a little too touristy. Being surrounded by a lot of people while attempting to enjoy your well-deserved weekend can really wear you out, so a lot of this is sort of self-preservation in a sense. The last thing you want is to suddenly feel like a tourist once a city begins to feel like home.