Tips for Adjusting to Life in a New City

While making a move to a new city can be exciting, especially when you’ve just purchased one of the Colorado Springs houses for sale or a new place in any destination you’ve always wanted to live, it’s also considered one of life’s most stressful events. In fact when UK energy company E.ON conducted a survey, six out of 10 participants cited moving as more stressful than a breakup or divorce. When moving to a city that’s across the country, or to a whole new country altogether, it can be even more stressful, so how do you adjust so that it doesn’t break you?

Make Connections

If possible, before you even make the move try to find out if anyone you know might have a connection in the new city. Talk to co-workers, friends and family members – even a friend of a friend of a friend can be a good place to start. If you find someone, it can be a great opportunity to get more of an insider’s look at the destination as well as offering the potential to make a new friend.

Get to Know the City on Foot

One of the first things you should do when you arrive is to get to know the layout of the city by exploring on foot. Driving provides a distorted picture – the only real way to get to know the ins and outs of your neighborhood is to walk. Wander down any road that looks interesting, you don’t have to have a plan, and if you get lost you can always use GPS to get you back home.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

Once you’ve arrived, make it a point to get to know your neighbors by becoming a regular at local establishments like a coffee house, bookstore, restaurant or bar. This not only offers the opportunity to chat with locals, but by talking to servers, baristas, bartenders and/or retail clerks, you can learn more about the city, including some fun hangouts that only the locals know about. Don’t be afraid to go out alone, it not only builds confidence and can be empowering, if you’re naturally curious people are likely to be intrigued as to who you might be, sparking all sorts of conversations.

Sign Up for Meetups and Activities

In most cities there are lots of groups and activities through sites like Meetup.com that you can join providing a great way to get to know more like-minded people. What did you dream about doing in your new city? Going for scenic hikes, biking along the waterfront, wine tasting? Do a search to find out what groups and activities are available in your area – if what you’re looking for isn’t out there you might want to start your own.

Say ‘Yes’

Be open to as many new experiences and new people as you can to help grow your network of local friends. The more people you meet, the more likely at least a few will stick. Whenever someone invites you to any get-together, from happy hour after work with coworkers to a neighborhood pot luck, say “yes.”

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Emma

Emma covers dating and relationships for Unfinished Man, bringing a witty woman's perspective to her writing. She empowers independent women to pursue fulfillment in life and love. Emma draws on her adventures in modern romance and passion for self-improvement to deliver relatable advice.

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