7 Ways to Acclimate to a New City

As y’all know, I recently moved from Austin, TX to Charleston, SC. I lived in Central Texas since junior high, went to the University of Texas at Austin, then worked in Austin for 3 years after school, so you can definitely say that Texas is my home. I had never really “moved away” because Austin was so close to my hometown and I was visiting my family at least once a month, so my move to Charleston was the biggest move I’ve had on my own.

I’m not going to lie, it was scary at first. I have absolutely incredible friends and family I was leaving behind and didn’t know anyone in Charleston, but I just didn’t see myself settling down and making Texas my forever home. I don’t like routine. I like every day to look different (which is one of the reasons I love working for myself and being in the blogging industry) and kept thinking about what a big world it was out there, so I decided to take hold of my life and do something for myself, i.e. move to one of the most beautiful cities in the US.

Most of y’all know that I did meet my boyfriend on one of my trips to Charleston before I officially moved, which made my transition a LOT easier. He helped me find my apartment and it was great being there that first weekend and already knowing someone, so I know my transition was a lot easier than most people’s because of that. However, I still learned a lot and hope this post can help those who are making a big move like I did acclimate to their new homes.

 #1 Meet Friends on Instagram

I’m a blogger, so obviously it was a lot easier to make connections on Instagram because bloggers are always looking for blogger friends and tribes, but I’ve also met great non-bloggers through Instagram who have become some of my closest friends! Find people in your same industry through hashtags and geo-location searches on Insta and shoot them a DM. A creative meet-up can turn into a friendship if things click, and then there’s the plus of having someone in your new city who is in your professional field. People are much more open to meeting people (dates or friends) online now, and sliding into someone’s DM isn’t exclusively a creepy guy thing anymore.

#2 Make Your House a Home…

I personally moved into an apartment that I’m not in love with. I was on a tight budget from all the moving expenses and had to choose a pretty inexpensive place to live, so at first I didn’t feel like settling in. I knew I would move to a different place after a year, so I had the mindset of keeping my place a temporary spot until that time came, but I knew that wasn’t a good idea almost immediately. If you’re new to a city, the truth is, you’re going to be spending a lot of time at home because it will take time to make new friends, and it will make you so much happier to come back to a place that feels like home. So, decorate your walls, put up curtains, string lights, buy good groceries, make your bed, and do whatever you can to make your home a place where you want to spend time.

#3 …But Don’t be a Homebody

Definitely make your place feel like home, but don’t hole up there and never leave. Living in a new city is an adventure, so make sure you’re out there experiencing all the new things! There’s a reason you moved there, and it’s important to get out there on your own and see the sights, try the food, and do the touristy stuff, even if you don’t have anyone to go with you. Even though I had a boyfriend here who I could have brought with me to do my exploring, I made an effort to go by myself so the experiences could be purely my own. I think those memories are an important part of shaping your new self and life you’ve started.

#4 Join In

I personally have slacked on this, but I know a lot of people in Charleston who joined alumni groups, intramural sports leagues, and creative happy hour groups to help them get involved and meet people. These kinds of groups have increased in popularity big time! I never would have considered joining in on something like that before I moved to a new city, but there are so many options for young professionals these days. While it’s good to get out and explore on your own, it’s also a great idea to join actual organizations that will get you meeting people.

#5 Focus on Your Job

Most people make big moves because of their job, so if you’re ever feeling lost, burying yourself in your work can help you rediscover your purpose. It’s a great way to remind yourself why you’re there and keep you motivated.

#6 Say Yes

It’s so important to get out of your comfort zone and say yes to opportunities that will get you involved and trying new things. If co-workers ask you to happy hour, say yes! Get on dating apps even if they’re not really your thing. Go work at a trendy coffee shop alone. You never know what could come of it! I know our generation is all about the joy of cancelling plans, but when you’re trying to make a new fun life for yourself and acclimate to a new environment, you have have HAVE to say yes to things that might make you uncomfortable.

#7 Don’t Forget Your Roots

Even though it’s important to be independent when you make a move like this, reminding yourself that you still have a solid support system is really important. Regular chats with your loved ones back home will give you more confidence and help if you’re ever feeling lonely, which is bound to happen every now and then. They’re the ones who supported you through this big change in your life, after all! Give them a call, plan trips to visit each other, and stay updated on what’s going on in their lives, too. I love the new friends I’ve made in Charleston, but I’m not trying to replace the incredible relationships I’ve made before my move.

I hope these tips will help anyone who has recently moved or is planning a big move!