Alright guys, let’s be honest.. moving can be tough! After I graduated last year I was super excited to start my new life in NYC, move into a new apartment, and start a new job. I had interned in New York City the two summers before graduating, was going to have my best friends with me, and thought I had it all figured out. But, as things tend to happen, it didn’t exactly turn out as expected.
My best friends all ended up going to other cities, including my roommate. Then I found myself living in the city alone for three months until my other roommate would move in. Work also wasn’t as expected and I was often working late nights thinking what the heck did I get myself into. There were really two options moving forward: 1- stay in my little apartment and watch Netflix all the time (so sad), or 2- get out there and do things that I love.
Obviously, I went with the second choice. Don’t stress out if you’re moving to a new city or don’t know anyone, because it WILL get better. Here are some things that I did to help make NYC, my new city, feel like home and I’m hopeful that they will help you too!
How to Make a New City Feel like Home:
- Get out and explore your neighborhood– I had lived in NYC before, but never in my current neighborhood. There are always so many spots to explore and try out! I love those weekends with no plans where I can just walk around and discover cute places in my neighborhood.
- Sign up for a gym or take workout classes- I decided not to join a gym my first few months here until I knew which location would be best for me, so I opted to do ClassPass instead. If you haven’t heard of ClassPass before… it’s amazing! You pay for credits each month, and then you can sign up for different classes around your city. It’s such a better deal than paying for walk-in classes and a great way to meet new people! I also like to try out studios and see the different atmospheres, too.
- Decorate your apartment– This might seem like a little one, but making your apartment look like a home helps it to feel like a home. For me, this includes lots of photos, cute throw pillows, and cozy blankets! If you want to see more about how I decorated my NYC apartment, check out this post!
- Consider joining a social club in your area– This wasn’t one of my first thoughts, but I’ve been a part of Ollie Social here in NYC for almost a year now and it’s the best! We do group workout classes, see shows, go to happy hours, and even volunteer in the community. It’s a great way to meet new people and try things that get you out of your comfort zone. The best part is that you don’t even have to plan out logistics. Another option is recreational and intramural sports leagues. My office does soccer, kickball, etc., and a lot of young adults sign up for these teams!
- Attend events around your city– Moving to a city means you’re a lot closer to exciting things like concerts, pop-up shops, openings, galleries, etc. Take advantage of this and go, go, go! I think I go to at least 3-4 events per week. Whether it’s a product launch, store opening, or happy hour, just get out there!
6. Don’t forget about friends and family in other places– Even though you’re living in a new city, you can’t forget about your old connections 🙂 I talk to my family at least every other day, and try to text in my group chats daily. When you first move it can be easy to get sucked into a new bubble. Staying connected with your other loved ones definitely makes everything easier.
So, congrats on your recent move and just remember YOU GOT THIS! I’d love to hear where you guys moved to or live, so be sure to leave a comment and let me know! You can also pin the image above to save this article anytime you need some guidance.
Hopefully these tips will help you seamlessly transition to your new home!
