Acclimating to a New Apartment and Community in a New City – Making Yourself Feel at Home
Moving can be stressful. You’re contending with an overwhelming amount of things to do within a short time frame and adjusting to a new place. It’s not always easy. Add that to the fact that you are moving to a new city, and a big move can be emotionally stressful. Moving is often considered one of the top five most stressful life situations.
Your community is just as much a part of your home and identity as the walls that surround you. That’s why it’s essential to get acquainted with your new city as quickly as possible.
Remember a few useful tips to acclimate to a new city to feel more at home after a move.
1. Explore your new neighborhood on foot.
One of the best things about moving to a new city is discovering the local spots you will enjoy walking to daily. The best way to find these local businesses is by getting out and investigating your new city neighborhood yourself from the coffee shop next door to the pizza place down the street. Take the time to walk around town. Check out the local stores. Try an interesting-looking restaurant. Get acclimated to your new city neighborhood streets, and you will soon feel like you are “home.”
2. Visit a spot within the city that has a familiar feel to it.
Scoping out a place in your new community that feels like home helps you feel a bit more settled. The area doesn’t have to be exact; familiar attributes may be enough. For example, maybe the city has one of the same chain coffee shops you would have frequented at your prior home city. You can perhaps find a city park with a similar layout or a local library with a familiar design.
3. Commit to a local class or visiting a local event.
The quicker you can form bonds with others in your new home, the more the city will feel like home. Getting into area events that locals likely take part in is an excellent way to do that. You may consider:
- Signing up for yoga or fitness classes at a local gym
- Visiting a hometown festival, concert, or show
- Checking out events at the local library
- Signing up for a class through the local college or extension office
You can gain a lot of insight by looking at local events listings in the newspaper, checking community groups on social media, and searching for festivals by the city on websites like Festivals.com.
4. Maintain your usual routines.
If you feel homesick, professionals claim you’re feeling is a longing for consistency, predictability, and familiarity. Routines are familiar, even if you are in a different place. Sticking to routines is tough during the first days after your move. But try to get back to your routine as quickly as possible. If you are still getting up, having dinner, and going grocery shopping at the same times as before, your life will feel familiar even if your surroundings don’t.
5. Invite family and friends for a visit.
A new city often means being immersed in a place full of strangers. Once you get your belongings unpacked, consider inviting some visitors over from your previous hometown. Having people you know in a new home with you can help you feel more comfortable, despite the new surroundings. If you happen to know people in the new city that are not close friends but perhaps friends of friends, reach out to them as well.
Trust the Professionals
Trust professional movers for the heavy lifting so that you can focus on settling in.
Relocating to a new city may be challenging, but the more you can focus o getting acclimated, the faster you will feel at home. Make sure you reach out to us to help you with the physical labor of the move so you can get to know your new hometown.
