Moving to a big city is exciting, especially if you’re moving from a small town to a big city for the first time. You’ll probably feel a range of emotions, from anticipation to nervousness. Whether you’re moving across the country or moving a short distance, follow these tips for moving to a big city to make the most out of your move!
Before you move to a city, it’s important to know all you can about your different options. Not all big cities are the same—for example, Austin, Denver, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. each offer unique experiences when it comes to outdoor recreation, jobs, the cost of living, and entertainment. Beyond researching the best big cities for you, it’s also essential to find a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle. To help you narrow down the best big city and neighborhood for you, research the following on local blogs, forums, and social media, or seek insights from people you know:
If you’re not already moving to a big city for work, you’ll need to find a job. One of the great benefits of living in a big city is there’s likely to be a wide variety of jobs available! Getting a job locally when you’re moving to the city can also help you make friends and expand your social network. To avoid an overwhelming number of results, you may want to refine your job search to focus on options that have shorter commutes, or that have specific job titles or descriptions. Use local or field-specific job boards, local networking events, or online job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, or ZipRecruiter to determine your options.
Searching for an apartment or house in a big city can be a different experience, especially if you’re moving from a small town to a big city. You’ll likely have more options spread across a larger area, but the higher housing costs in big cities can make the process feel overwhelming—especially if you’re planning to live alone. Start by assessing how many square feet you’ll need, while being mindful of the average rent or home price in your ideal area. Then consider the different amenities and features you’d like in your new home. To help with your search, here are some of the best methods for finding a house or apartment in a big city:
With high rent and home prices, having one or more roommates can help you save money when moving to a big city. However, figuring out how to look for a roommate in a big city may feel overwhelming if you’ve never done it before. You can search for roommates online through local social media groups, such as those on Facebook, or through listing sites like Craigslist—some people may even already have a living space and simply need someone to move in! There are also plenty of specialized platforms designed to help you find a roommate, including Roommates.com, Roomiematch, Diggz, and Roomster. Just be sure you’re following common safety tips for finding a roommate and not sharing sensitive personal information online.
When you’re moving to a big city, the logistics of the move itself might be a challenge. Big cities usually have differing moving truck laws—like where large moving trucks or trailers can be parked, truck size restrictions, and the length of time you can legally keep a moving truck parked on the street. Research these laws well in advance so you can plan accordingly and minimize stress on moving day. If you’re facing several of these limitations, there are a few things you can do to streamline your big-city moving logistics:
In many big cities, especially those in New England or major metros like New York City, space comes at a premium—so living in the city might mean you’ll need to downsize. Living in a small apartment or house will help you save money, but might be a tight squeeze if you don’t properly declutter and maximize space. Donate or sell furniture and extra belongings you won’t need anymore. If you don’t want to part with items but don’t have room for them in your city apartment, consider using self storage when downsizing. Once you’ve downsized to fit your new space, invest in space-saving solutions like multifunctional furniture, vertical storage, and other smart organization hacks!
Living in a big city is an exciting experience, but it can get a little overwhelming if you don’t have a quiet spot to rest, relax, and recharge. Make your new home or apartment your sanctuary so you have a comfortable home base where you can decompress at the end of the day. Whether it’s your bedroom, a meditation room, or your whole home, design your relaxation area with your well-being in mind. Here are some tips for making your home a great place to relax and unwind after moving to the city:
While there are plenty of things you can do to prepare for moving from a small town to a big city, keep in mind that there could still be unexpected differences when you first experience big-city life. Culture shock is inevitable as you adjust to a new normal, but these are some things you can stay mindful of when you move to the city:
Big cities often have higher crime rates, so one aspect of city life you’ll want to focus on is safety. However, with a few simple safety tips and some proactive research, you can significantly reduce risks and feel more secure. Start by researching crime rates across your city to familiarize yourself with which neighborhoods to be cautious of—especially if you’re planning on walking or biking a lot. And once you’re living in the city, listen to the advice of new friends and coworkers to help you stay safe and navigate the city with confidence.
If you’re moving from a small town to a big city, you may not be accustomed to using public transit, especially if you’ve primarily relied on walking or driving to get to work and social activities in the past. However, in a big city, driving and parking can be more challenging, making public transportation a better option for daily commutes. For cities like Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Chicago, many residents go without a car due to higher walkability, bikeability, and accessibility to bus or subway systems. Before you move to a big city, research your public transportation options and decide whether you should keep your car with you, sell it, find a long-term parking garage, or put it in secure vehicle storage.
When you move to a new city, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the area. However, this might look different than what you’re used to, since big cities—especially older ones—can have confusing layouts (like Boston’s lack of grid system) or be so large that navigating often requires the use of a map. Download map apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, or MapQuest to help guide you. Start by exploring your immediate surroundings when you move to the city—locating important amenities like grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations, as well as local parks, gyms, or restaurants you’d like to try. You can also spend a day exploring well-defined, iconic neighborhoods like Greektown, Chinatown, or Little Italy! Regardless of how you plan to take in your surroundings after moving to a big city, embrace and enjoy the process.
When moving to a new city, finding fun things to do in your free time can help you feel at home. Try to avoid staying in too much so can get the most out of your new environment. Even if you’re doing things solo, exploring early on when you move to a big city can help you get to know the area! You can search for options on social media, or use one of the following platforms to find things to do nearby:
If you don’t know anyone before moving—or even if you do know a few people already—making new friends is a great way to quickly feel comfortable and settle in to life in a big city. One of the best ways to meet new people is by joining groups or engaging in hobbies so you can find others with similar interests! Here are some options for how to make friends in a big city to get you started:
***
Moving to a big city soon? Whether you need secure vehicle storage or self storage to help you move or downsize, Extra Space Storage has thousands of storage facilities across the U.S. that can help. Find cheap storage near you!
Thinking about renting storage for the summer? Whether you’re storing seasonal gear, protecting items sensitive…
Creating a list of your self storage items is beneficial for both home and business…
Trailer and motorhome sizes often vary due to their make, model, and year of manufacture.…
When renting a storage unit, one of the first choices you’ll need to make is…
At Extra Space Storage, we know our success is driven by the dedicated individuals who…
At Extra Space Storage, we know our success is driven by the dedicated individuals who…
This website uses cookies.
