Making the Move to a New City

You got the new job, your spouse or partner got a promotion or maybe you’re just looking for fresh scenery. Congratulations! You’re moving to a new city, and let’s face it—this can be a daunting but exhilarating life change.

The first 30 days of moving to a new city really provide a chance for renewal. “Think of moving as a reset button for your life,” says Laura Ramos, a life coach who helps clients through moves. “How often are we presented with an opportunity to truly start over and make everyday things in life feel new and fresh? Moving is the chance!”

Though this renewal may be intimidating, don’t fret. With some planning and perseverance, you’ll use this first month to lay the foundation for building your new life in a different city.

The biggest question is: where do you start?

Planning Your New City Life

The key to making it through the first 30 days of moving to a new city is planning. Among the first three things you need to plan for are finding a place to live, arranging your finances and finding new friends.

Start researching your new city. Look up the local traditions or hot spots and get a feel for what it’s like to live there. Find out vital information about your new town—the crime rate, the unemployment rate, the location of schools and food markets. Use the internet or go to your local library to search for this information.

With your research completed, you’ll be better equipped to figure out your living situation. Before you start looking at apartments or homes, think about what you really need. Do you need a backyard for the kids to play in? Do you need an apartment that is close to public transportation? Do you need a lease for two years instead of being tied down by a mortgage? Answer questions like these for yourself and make these needs a part of your home search.

This helped Robbie Zer find his new residence when he moved from Florida to Texas. “I always went for a run on the boardwalk after work when I lived in Miami, so I knew that I wanted to somehow find a good place to run at the end of my day when I moved to a new place,” says Robbie. “When I was looking at places in Austin I ended up choosing a neighborhood that was convenient to a nice path where I could run.”