February 7, 2018 Posted in Coping with Relocation

Moving to a Big City

There are not many things in life that are so scary as relocation to the unknown, but moving to a big city is a challenge that everyone should go through during their lifetime. Why, you might wonder. You already have everything you need in your small hometown oasis. Well, it will test your nerves, patience, survival instincts, social skills, and kick you out of your comfort zone.

The Statue of Liberty overlay
Settling in the metropolis will bring you many changes

And that is not even the fun part of it, because it is actually exciting. The difference between living in small and big communities is huge, and these two barely have any similarities. And the reality is that it is tough, we are not going to lie, but it will change you for the better. So if you are considering your reasons to move and whether or not you should do it, we say: just go for it. Meanwhile, take a look at some of our long-distance moving tips for relocating to a metropolis.

Move With Confidence Get Free Quote

6 Things That Will Make Moving and Living in a Big City Easier

If you’re planning to relocate to the capital or a metropolis, you are probably worried about everything that could go wrong. Will you fit in? Will people make fun of your accent? Will you be able to make friends in a new state? For some reason, people always tend to think about bad things, instead of focusing on the good ones.

For example, you’ll get a better salary, experience something different, challenge yourself, and gain more confidence. Forget the anxiety about moving out, or getting relocation depression, the advantages of moving alone are numerous and you’ll gain more confidence if you do it without friends or family. Here are some moving tips that will make the transition easier and help you feel more like a local in the concrete jungle.

1. Before Moving, Research the City Properly

When you travel, you probably Google the best restaurants, sightseeing spots, ticket prices, etc. Well, when relocating, you should research and Google even more. And not just about the fun stuff. Some of the most important things to consider when relocating to a new state are housing costs, house-hunting tips, how to reduce costs when moving, prices, job opportunities, legal stuff, the safety of your future neighborhood, public transportation – and don’t forget about the weather.

Relocating to one of five boroughs of New York City or relocating to the suburbs of sunny LA can be a completely different experience. That’s why it’s always wise to learn everything you can about the new environment before changing the address. Additionally, having all the facts will make adjusting to the new state and the city quick and easy once you’re living in one of the safe neighborhoods in Los Angeles for example.

Take your time to do it right and make a household inventory list to avoid common moving mistakes. The best option would be to visit the place first, if possible, to feel the vibe and the energy, explore its streets, and see if you can imagine yourself there. Ask your friends if they know someone who knows someone who lives there. It is always better if you can hear personal experiences and tips from someone you can trust.

2. If You Don’t Have a Job, Find One ASAP

There are jobs that require relocation because they simply do not exist where you live, so better opportunities are certainly a great motivation to move. Have you thought about getting a job before you relocate? If you managed to find a job before moving to another state and have it waiting for you, consider the most important relocation question to ask your employer. In case you do not have something planned, start searching.

One of the main reasons why people move to bigger cities is because there are more jobs, so if you are ready to jump into that adventure, polish your CV and start applying. The market in cities is very competitive, and sometimes hundreds of people apply for a single position. So don’t get discouraged if you get rejected or if no one responds to your emails at first. When relocating for a job, it’s important to believe that the right opportunity will come.

3. You Don’t Have to Pack Your Entire Life

Relocating is a great occasion to get rid of the stuff you no longer need or use, especially since you’ll likely be living in a smaller apartment, rather than a large house. And sometimes, it is much easier to repurchase certain items than to hassle with packing them and putting them in storage. One option is to estimate the value of your household goods and organize a garage sale.

Before packing furniture, electronics, books, clothes, and other belongings, explore the list of packing materials, and check if you have any boxing and packing supplies at home, or if you can get some from a local store. Seriously consider planning your moving budget and hiring movers in order to get professional moving services.

Reputable and highly recommended cross country movers who know all packing tips and tricks will help you reduce moving stress and stay focused, but know that it won’t be the cheapest way to move out of state unless you choose the cheapest time of the year to relocate.

4. Prepare for Public Transportation

Unless you get lucky enough to move close to your job, you can forget about walking there, and driving a car can turn into a nightmare since. If you’re thinking about transporting your car across the country, know that in big cities, rush hour lasts pretty much constantly between 8 AM and 5 PM. That is one of many significant differences in comparison to smaller towns.

You’ll probably have to use buses, trams, or subway, so prepare for crowds, pushing, standing and squeezing, unpleasant smells, and the overall madness of public transportation. It is the price you sometimes have to pay daily when you live in large cities. But on the other hand, at least it’s cheap.

5. Go Outside and Explore

Just because you are relocating to a new city alone, that does not mean you should stay alone at the apartment all day long. When you unpack after the move, go out, find new places, have some me-time, and get used to doing certain things by yourself, such as grocery shopping, finding the best laundry detergent, and all the other stuff your parents used to do for you.

If you are relocating with your pet, it will help you go out and explore your neighborhood, find pet shops, parks, etc. The point is, you need to start feeling like you belong there, and that cannot happen overnight or if you don’t go out at all.

6. Meeting New People and (Not) Neglecting Old Friends

Telling your friends you’re moving and leaving them is not easy, but making friends is not easy either. It can be an uncomfortable situation, especially if you’re shy. Everyday life in urban communities is so different, and people are too. So if you’re not working yet, start with your neighbors: they will be curious and chatty anyway. If you are moving with your dog, go to the park and meet some other pet owners. At the same time, do not forget to stay in touch with your hometown friends, even when you manage to meet new ones.

beverly neighborhoods are great option for long distance moving overlay
Getting around large cities can be hard if you don't know anyone.

Reasons Why You Should Make the Decision to Move to a New, Bigger City

Although as with everything, living in large cities has its ups and downs, there are usually more positive aspects of it. That is why so many people strive to move away from their small hometowns. If you are one of those who dream about a fresh start and expanding their horizons, good for you. It means that you are aware not only of your potential but of all the life potentials in general. However, we know that it is not easy to decide, so here are some reasons that will convince you you’re not wrong about making that decision:

  • Finding yourself – do you ever feel like you don’t know who you are or what you want to do, like you have not found your passion yet? While everyone else in your hometown is already working, getting married, or having kids? That can put a lot of unnecessary pressure, and you need to learn how to deal with it. It is different in cities. You can be as authentic as you want, do what you want, and nobody will question that.
  • Growing up – no matter if you are in your twenties or thirties, as long as you are staying at your parents’ home, they will treat you like a child. You don’t have to cook, do laundry, or pay bills. Perfect, right? Well, yes, for the first several years, because at some point, you should start doing all these errands on your own. Maybe you decided to move in together with your partner and embrace the growing up together.  Although it will be hard at the beginning, it will feel very liberating at the same time.
  • Sea of opportunities – we mentioned it before, but we have to point it out one more time. You can create your own opportunities. If you are doing something that does not attract much attention in your hometown or is just not paid enough, you can sell it for more in bigger cities. Every small town has its limitations, and once you feel you can achieve more and go big, you have to raise the anchor and sail away. Remember, metropolises will have so much to offer to you no matter if you are moving during holidays or in summer.
  • Education – a lot of young adults and even teens move from their hometowns for education – to learn and grow. And not a lot of them are willing to go back after graduation. Because once they experience the lifestyle and learn how everything works, they do not want to return home. It is the reality, and unfortunately, smaller towns do not have much to offer to younger generations; they cannot compete with urban cities. Also, parents with kids relocate to some of the best cities to raise a family in the US because of various top-rated educational institutions.
  • Shopping and entertainment – do you want to go to the movie theatre and watch the latest hits, or you want to go dancing, karaoke singing, shopping, ice skating, swimming, or doing God knows what? Because you can do all that, every single day. So it is another area where the countryside cannot compete with bigger cities: it is a completely different lifestyle.
new york city is worth of every effort when moving cross country overlay
Large metropolises offer numerous job and entertainment opportunities so it's no wonder that everyone wants to move there.

How Living in a Big City Can Cost Less Money

When relocating from a little town, the cost of living suddenly increases significantly, because everything is more expensive in cities. So unless you have a job waiting for you, the first few months can be tricky in terms of budgeting and learning how to save money. In case you want to understand how car shipping works because you’re using car transport services, or you’re shipping internationally, the cost of your relocation goes up significantly. So here are some ways to cut costs while and after relocating:

  • Find a roommate – rents are high, and since a lot of your money will go on that, why not share it with someone? And not just the rent: bills, groceries, Netflix, and all other subscriptions and fees can be shared.
  • Learn how to cook – eating out is expensive, especially if you don’t know how to cook, but the good thing is that all you need is Youtube and Google, and you can become your own chef. Plus, there are so many cheap and easy recipes for delicious food, and not to mention how buying groceries and preparing food is significantly cheaper than eating in bars and restaurants on a daily level.
  • The outskirts are okay, too – although it can be more convenient to be situated in a central location, everything is more expensive there. From rent to food and coffee, and all the other services. Relocating slightly further will not take much of your time, but it will help you save some bucks, especially if you move into a smaller home and sell or donate unwanted items before relocating.
  • Public transportation – cars are expensive. They are expensive to maintain, and you’ll have to buy gas every other day. And not to mention parking tickets, fees, tolls, etc. Public transportation is usually not the most pleasant experience, but it is more affordable and can take you anywhere you want.
calculate your costs when moving cross country overlay
Large cities are more expensive, but there's always a way to save some money and cut costs.

Explore Your Options And Move

Stop making excuses and wondering what the best time of the year to move is: every day is the best day to move. Make that decision today; there is nothing to be afraid about no matter if you are moving for a relationship or in pursuit of dreams. If you are wondering where to move, take our where should I move quiz and get inspired. Listen to the tips of your friends and people who have already done it they might know how you can reduce moving expenses and so much more. There are so many countries and big cities that it is a shame to spend your days in only one small corner of the world.

QUICK MOVING ESTIMATE

    Download as PDF Moving Checklist
    Get a Free Estimate 877-888-0708