How To Move to a Big City

This post is long overdue! Many of you may know that I’m originally from the suburbs outside of Kansas City and moved up to Chicago in 2016. Now that I’m going on year three here, I feel like I can actually give advice on how to transition into big city life. This should be useful for some of you who are A) graduating college soon and looking for work or B) just planning a move to a larger city in the near future for whatever reason. Chicago, LA, and New York are the big three, but I hear Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta, and countless others have the big city feel, and rich culture to boot.

There area SO many great things about living in a larger city including, but not limited to: considerable professional opportunity, so many things to do, fabulous restaurants, and cheap public transportation. That seems to be like all we think of when moving; it’s the thrill of it all. We romanticize the skyline, the rooftop parties, and the fabulous shopping. It’s all of that and more, but there are some serious learning curves, especially when you live alone. My top tips and tricks on conquering the big move are below. 

• When searching for apartments location and comfort are going to be the most important. I live where I do now, because it’s in the middle of my company’s two offices and close to public transportation to get me there. Also, I have plenty of room in a warm remodeled apartment building. Ask people who currently live there where the best places to live are and why. Locals know best!
• Public transportation is wonderful, but also confusing. I advise practicing your route to work a few times before your first day. Before you head out, download the Google Maps app. It’s a life saver! Put in any address and there are several options for public transportation. Keep it simple and minimize transfers until you feel comfortable.
• Not everyone is welcoming. If you’re moving here alone, be prepared to put yourself out there and eventually the right friends will find their way to you! It takes time. I didn’t make good friends until half way through my first year.
• On the same friendly note, stay in contact with your best friends from home and school. Those are the relationships that will keep you sane when it seems like you’re all alone.
• Create a budget and stick to it! Just starting out you’re going to forced to maximize your cash flow through saving money and getting crafty with how you spend it. Put all your bills in an excel spreadsheet and then add on 25% to allow for any fluctuations.
• When decorating your apartment, keep in mind it won’t all be perfect day one. You’ve got to live in the space for a bit to know where everything goes and what you still need. Don’t stress about it! My apartment wasn’t fully done until less than a year ago.
• Be safe! When you’re walking home alone from work be aware of your surroundings and when you feel unsafe, duck into a shop or restaurant.