Moving to the city can be very exciting. There is always something going on, always something to see or do, and always someone awake. There are so many benefits to having this right on your doorstep, but it can also be a little overwhelming.
Different cities will have different cultures, but the one thing that they all have in common is that they are always on the go and ready for fun. This can be quite an adjustment for those who have lived exclusively in rural life, so this piece has been designed to help offer some top tips for both surviving and enjoying city life.
Read on to find out more!
1) Get Yourself a Trusted Map App
Long gone are the days when you would have to get your hands on a trusty A-Z map to make your way around. Of course, that is still an option, but for those who enjoy technology-based help, an app will be much more convenient and quicker to get you where you need to be – especially if you get lost. Other apps such as tube or bus apps are also extremely useful in a pinch when you need to know where your next bus is coming from or what stops are coming up next, which can help reduce some of the anxiety some can feel when they are on an unfamiliar route.
Getting lost in the city is just a given right, so get it downloaded on your phone before it happens, so you are prepared.
2) Travel Off Peak
If you think rush hour in the countryside is something to be tolerated, then just wait until you are in the city. You will quickly learn that being able to travel at off-peak times will help you avoid being squashed like sardines on a tube or stuck in traffic on a bus. Avoid rush hour the best you can because everything transport-wise is busy. If you do have to travel at a peak time, try leaving earlier than normal so you can allow for delays.
3) Get to Know the Locals
If you are moving to a city for the first time you are going to feel like a tourist. The best way to make this a little easier is to get in with the locals as soon as possible. Chat to them at the pub, find out the local little secrets, and get yourself some inside scoop. If you are moving to Bristol for example, then be sure to take a look at a guide to Bristol culture so you can give yourself an overview of the essence of the city, and find out what you have to look forward to. Once you have this basic information, you will be able to check out the things that excite and inspire you and start to make friends and form connections from there.
4) Keep an Eye on Your Finances
It may come as no surprise that your finances can start to take a battering the moment you move to a city. The cost of living is higher than in more rural areas, and pair that with the fact that there is much more to spend your money on, and you can have a bit of a money sink pit on your hands. Keeping a diligent eye on your finances will make sure there are no nasty surprises, apart from that one night out that you just don’t remember, and this will help you keep your spending in check. The good news is there are a lot of deals to be found in cities, so you do not always have to sacrifice eating out or skipping an exercise class to keep the pennies in the bank.
5) Keep Yourself Safe and Aware
Wherever you are you must stay vigilant of your surroundings and make the safest choices, as the world is not always a kind place. However, there are different things to consider in a city. You are more likely to be wandering around the streets at night in a city coming from a club or having a late dinner than you are in a rural area where everything is closed past 8 pm. Because of this, developing some additional street smarts will keep you safe in your new surroundings. Keep your belongings on you, don’t go anywhere you are unfamiliar with alone if it isn’t a public place, and meet up with people in crowds if they are new to you.