Image creditMoving to a new city is such an exciting time, but while so many get busy with the pre-move planning, not a massive amount of thought goes into what happens once there.
Before you even decided to move, you’ve probably taken into consideration the important issues like work opportunities, schooling, crime rates, and cost of living, but there are other things to consider that can make your time in a new city enjoyable or miserable.
Depending on how familiar you are with your new home, you may already know some places around to get you started, but you’ll still want to get to know the local neighborhood as much as possible and explore all that this new city has to offer you so you can make the most out of your time there.
Here are some things you should consider when moving to a new city that will make life easier once there.
The Language:
Obviously this only applies if the place you’re moving to is in another country where another language is spoken. Although most big cities around the world do have a good majority of people who speak English, and you can generally find the things you need by asking in English, if you’re going to be living there for any period of time longer than 6 months, learning at least some basics in the local language will always serve you well and help you feel more at home and actually get to truly know your new city.
Food & Drink:
One of the best things about being in a new city for any length of time, is that you get to try different types of food that you may not get at home. So, taking some time to, not only learn where the trendy places are, but actually get out and find some local delights that may become your favorites is always recommended – you never know what you may stumble onto. You could end up finding the best coffee you’ve ever tasted, or discover a seafood dish you’ve never tried before.
Health & Emergency Services:
As much as no one likes to think that they may need to call the emergency services for anything, it’s better to be safe and prepared for every eventuality. It takes just a few minutes to jot down the local numbers you need in case anything goes wrong – and it doesn’t even have to be anything major; you may just need a locksmith, or a dentist who’s open 24hrs and you don’t want to suffer from toothache all weekend, but it’s still better than not having the numbers when you need them most.
Friends & Social Life:
If you’re moving to a new city as a younger single person, it may prove easier to meet other people simply by going out to bars or arranging meet ups through groups you find online. If you’re moving with a family or are just past the party days, then you can still have a booming social life, but you may just have to put a bit more effort into it than simply showing up. You can check out local and expat groups in your area and narrow down by interests to see what’s going on. Parenting groups, sports, cooking, book clubs, and even craft groups are all just a few ideas you can try out. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and look for things you’re truly interested in, then you’ll find it easier to meet people and will actually start enjoying your new home.
