No two relocations are the same. Sometimes we move for jobs or very personal reasons, and sometimes we urge to change scenery. But moving to a big city differs from all the other relocations. And you shouldn’t venture into an urban core unprepared.
According to the United Nations, the urban population has risen to 4.2 billion in 2018 from 746 million in 1950. Research also shows that by 2030, it’s projected that there will be 43 megacities in the world with more than 10 million inhabitants. Those numbers may seem overwhelming to some, but others want to be a part of that urban buzz. We may have different reasons to move to a metropolitan area – some move for love, while others choose to move to a metropolis alone. Whatever drives you, there are many benefits of relocating to an urban core. But, it’s better to take that leap of faith while following a few good tips.
Be Honest to Yourself and Decide if You Feel Like Living There Is Something You Want
Deciding to move to another state alone or find the best coastal cities to raise a family usually isn’t something you do on a whim. While it may sound romantic just thinking about it – there you are, with a suitcase full of dreams in one hand and some cash and a credit card in the other. You sit on the train and move on into the lights of a metropolis. But if you are stepping out alone before you plan anything, you should know what awaits you:
- You will grow up fast because this is a time where you’ll be indeed on your own. Sometimes you’ll feel like you are drowning and start to wonder, “should I move back home?” But on the other hand, all the hard-earned success and connections will be your own and help you grow as a person.
- Independent living will get a new dimension in an urban area. You won’t be able to move quickly between destinations, and you’ll learn new levels of patience. Life there will be drastically different than the one you’ve had before, and you’ll have to deal with it by yourself.
- Opportunities are just around the corner. And we don’t mean simply career options, but every opportunity can help you grow and learn and practice. If you are relocating after college, this will be a perfect time to grab some fresh experiences you couldn’t have while in a small town.
- Accepting diversities is one more thing that will help you grow. You’ll be exposed to many different cultures and languages and other points of view on life. It may change your political and religious perspective or simply teach you to appreciate the differences. For example, there are almost 20 million residents of the New York metro area, and they speak over 800 languages. And each culture has its foods, so foodies can rejoice, even before they move.
- This is the moment in life when you’ll be alone and learn to appreciate personal time and space while realizing that being alone is not the same as being lonely. Be comfortable with yourself, and let your inner weirdness shine because you’ll blend right in nevertheless.
This experience will be both liberating and empowering for you. You’ll cope with all the struggles and enjoy everyday accomplishments in a new way. If it seems like all that you’ve ever wanted, and it doesn’t cause you any anxiety about moving out, it’s time for you to leap into a metropolitan area and find your path. Need a little advice on how to move to a big city alone and your first time dwelling in a metropolis area? Check out the following video and have a laugh.
Doing Your Research Before Moving to a Big City Is a Wise Thing to Do
It is true that if you set your mind on something, you are already halfway there. But life isn’t as easy as picking up the phone and calling state-to-state movers to take you to your life in the big city. Wherever your next step leads you, it’s always better to be prepared. But, how do you move to a big city alone? While paying for a packing service will take a load of tasks off your plate, some other preparations are due before you head out toward metropolitan living. After all, if you do your research of the desired destination properly, you may avoid depression after relocating.
The Housing Prices and Rent May Leave You Wondering: Should You Live In a Big City?
When we move, it’s essential to understand the costs of interstate moving services, but it’s crucial to grasp just how much you should expect to pay for housing expenses. Suppose you originate from a small town where the real estate prices are fairly reasonable. In that case, you’ll find that buying a home and relocating to the suburbs differs significantly in terms of the property market.
You can expect to pay a larger down payment for a home than ever before, while your monthly mortgage payments can increase as well. If you’re planning to rent, and want to be nearer the urban core, expect higher prices. But there’s a way around it – you can find yourself a roommate and share the expenses. Although residing in a tighter space means you’ll bring less of your stuff, so consider investing in storage service for a while.
The Cost of Living in a New Place Is a Decisive Factor
It’s not a decisive factor that will convince you to give up on your goal, but the cost of living in the desired area can shape your choice of jobs. You can check sites like Numbeo to see the prices for almost anything that interests you – from utilities to groceries. If you’re relocating without a job and the costs of making it through the day are high, make sure you have enough savings to pull you through the first few months. Also, don’t shy away from grabbing every opportunity to work until you land the position of your dreams.
Discover Endless Employment Opportunities
Finding a new work position is never easy and is, above all, a stressful process. But what a metropolitan area has and a smaller job market lacks is a wide array of positions in many fields and industries. It may indeed be a bit more challenging to find a job after college because of your lack of experience. But the best advice is to look for entry-level positions in the area of your interest.
If you want to move before finding employment, you can work part-time jobs to support yourself until you find something more suitable. If you are already employed, you probably would like to get a job in a new place before you inquire about the cost of interstate relocating, pack up your stuff, and move. The process is quite simple – spruce up your CV and widen your search for employment in that geographic area. Sooner or later, a specific position may turn on your radar.
Bringing Your Family Into the Hustle and Bustle? You Should Know the Education Opportunities in the New Area
Among people that are on the move, a significant percent are following their career path. Deciding to move for a job means that you are bringing your family with you. The natural course of events is to look for good schools in the area and form your choice of neighborhoods around them. But, even if you’re alone but would love to settle in the suburbs that have a short commute to your workplace, picking a neighborhood with good schools in it only means that the property prices in that district will rise.
The Healthcare System Might Not Be Important to You Right Now, but Don’t Neglect Looking at It
It might not seem like an important piece of information, especially if you’re relocating alone, but having a good healthcare system nearby is relevant. If you have kids, when you look at the best cities in America to raise a family, most of them have great health systems and hospitals or research centers in their vicinity. Those with serious medical issues probably find this as the most decisive factor before they move, and the proximity of good hospitals may be one of their reasons to live in a big city.
Public Transportation Options vs. Parking Spots
One of the biggest differences that await you when you move from a small town to a metropolis is that you should be ready for several things if you plan to ship your car with auto transport services. First of all, finding empty parking spaces is one hell of a job, and it may happen that you’ll spend plenty of time just going around in circles, trying to park to go to a grocery store.
If you are certain that you don’t want to part with your vehicle, take into consideration the parking lots and garages in the district you will spend the most time in. Bigger cities offer an alternative to driving around and getting stuck in traffic jams, and that is public transportation. The subway, trains, and buses will be the better option and much cheaper once you get the hang of it.
If You Know People in the Area That Interests You, Reach Out to Them for Guidance
Whatever info you may need on your desired destination, the best way to learn something firsthand is to contact someone you may know in that place. Whether it’s a friend, a relative, an acquaintance, or a friend of a friend, reach out and ask away anything that interests you. This is especially significant if you are moving out for the first time and venturing out into your independence.
You’ll Have Privacy, but a Lot of Options to Meet New People, Too
Wondering is it better to live in a big or small city? If you value your privacy, one of the biggest perks of urban areas is that no one knows you. Unlike a small town, where everyone knows everybody else and all about their lives, you’ll learn to appreciate moments you have for yourself. But, as we’ve mentioned before, being alone doesn’t necessarily mean lonely.
Making friends in a new metropolis is not that hard at all. You can go out and grab a drink with your coworkers or start to make connections by meeting neighbors just down the hall. The options are limitless, and knowing this makes saying bye to friends in your last place a bit easier.
Running Out of Options to Eat and Drink or Just Hang Out Is Out of the Question
The Corona pandemic has somewhat changed our social interactions in the previous period, but some things have been slowly going back to normal. It means that checking out your options for maintaining an active lifestyle is still relevant. Whether you are a foodie, a lover of craft beer, or you enjoy visiting museums and galleries – bigger cities are rich with opportunities. So, while you check what you need to rent an apartment, look for nearby places that may interest you, and make it your priority to visit them.
Why Is It Better to Live In a Big City?
No formula will magically answer this question. If you are among those people who are relocating to another state because they want to take the next step in their long-distance relationship, you are having no second thoughts. But, look at it this way – every place offers something unique. It can be the peace and sense of community of a small town or the limitless possibilities that all cities provide. If you decide to become an urban dweller, seize all the opportunities that come your way, and look at the invaluable experiences of urban life as the most considerable benefits.
