3 Easy Ways to Make the Most of Your New City

Moving to a new city can be hard, especially if it’s in an unfamiliar state or far away from friends and family. Considering that moving houses is one of the most stressful things that someone can do, making the jump might seem daunting. Once the hard part – physically moving – is over, then comes the lesser-considered problem that comes with moving: being in a new city with a limited social circle. However, since moving cities is a new beginning and not an ending, here are three easy ways to make the most of your new city.

Get out and explore

One of my favorite things to do in a new place is take public transport (some cities are better for this than others) and see what there is to see. Hop on a bus and ride it around for a little while, and get off whenever something seems like your cup of tea. If the city you’ve moved to is on the smaller side, opt instead for a self-guided walking or biking tour of the main streets in the downtown area. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the layout of your new locale, and in doing some exploring by yourself, you get to discover what could be your new favorite coffeeshop, bookstore, or restaurant.

 

Try something new (or keep up with something old)

A great way to meet new people in a city is to try new hobbies or stick with old ones. Most cities have recreation centers that offer free (or low-cost) classes if you’re wanting to try something new. If fitness is your thing, you could sign up to participate in a 5k (check here if your city made the “best” list), join a rec league sports team, or check out a yoga, zumba, or spin class in your area. If fitness isn’t your cup of tea, you can always pop into a restaurant for happy hour, scan the stacks at the library, or attend an art walk or local concert.

 

Do some social networking

Instead of pining over Instagram pics of your friends out on the town back home, use social media’s omnipresence to expand your circle in your new city! There are lots of options for growing your social network. If you’re nervous about exploring on your own, Foursquare is a great way to check out places that locals love. If you want more interaction, Meetup lets you join groups based on your interests and attend fun events with people who share those same interests. Facebook also always has tons of location-based groups that you can join to see what’s going on and what people recommend checking out in your new home.

 

Sometimes, getting involved is as easy as logging into a social network, but be prepared for it to take a little leg work as well. No matter how you decide to get connected to your new city, moving is a great opportunity to grow as a person and expand your social circle.