Thinking About Moving To A New City?
Moving to a new city is a fun and exciting adventure, but take the time to get to know the area before you do it. Here are five tips to do before getting to know a new city.
1. Explore like a local.
This is the perfect way to become emersed in an area from the get-go. The tourist parts of town are always the best features for some, but to get a real feel for an area, you will want to visit the areas where residents live work, and play. A good way to get to know the area is from a local’s perspective. When in town, ask a local such as a barista, bartender, or concierge. An example would be to ask where do locals frequent on the weekends?
2. Gather info as you get around.
Having to travel through a city will get you familiar with the lay of the land. You figure out quickly if there is public transportation, and how accessible and well-connected the city is. Take the time to take public transit or see how easy it is to get a taxi or Lyft.
3. Find a connection.
You always know someone through six degrees of separation. Social media is an easy way to find someone who knows someone in the city you are interested in. It is much easier to find connections to almost any place with social media. A good idea is to get out on social media and let others know you are interested in moving to a certain city and ask if they know anyone who might live there.
4. Reach out to the experts for help.
Cities and chambers of commerce are finding creative ways to get people to move to their cities. Towns and cities across America are competing for new residents. A good idea is to contact the local chamber of commerce to see what assistance they might offer. For example, in Iowa City/Cedar Rapids, new residents can get connected with job opportunities and a local resident to help them make friends in the area.
5. Get lost.
What does this mean? Sometimes how a place makes you feel is more important than the black and white information and the pros and cons. Visit the area and just go with the flow and get lost in the city. This is a great way to see if the place feels like home.
