Taking a step and moving to a new city alone can be a scary and overwhelming experience. And even though nowadays jumping from one place to another has never been easier, it still has its challenges. Not everybody is capable of just jumping straight into adventure. But there are ways you can tackle this challenge and make this transition go smoothly and excitingly.
Is it scary moving to a new city alone? It’s like buying a driverless car. It can be difficult but yet exciting. It’s the same with every significant change in our life. But if we are well prepared and plan every step along the way, it can be a life-changing experience. And if you follow our tips for moving to a new city alone, we will ensure you have that and, most importantly, a stress-free relocation.
Once you have decided where you will move to and picked the perfect town and state, you should start looking for a place to live. First, you must decide whether you are going to rent or buy a place. As you probably know, both processes can last for some period. If you plan to rent an apartment or a house, it will last a minimum of one month. While purchasing a property, when everything is in order, it can last three months in the best-case scenario. One of the greatest relocation tips is to go to your town of choice, rent a place, and start home hunting from there. This way, you will manage the whole process in person, and best of all, you get to see the place before purchasing.
Relocating to another state alone can be intimidating. You don’t need to add up things to stoke your post-relocation depression by choosing the wrong neighborhood. And you’re probably thinking, “I will use auto transport anyway, so why does it matter in which neighborhood I end up when I can drive wherever I want?” Well, it does matter. For starters, it will change your general impression of the town and affect this whole experience. If you wake up every morning looking at depressive things, you will be depressed as well. And aside from safety, you should look at the neighborhood’s proximity to the major economic centers or your job.
So, go online on AreaVibes.com and see reviews of each neighborhood in your town of choice. Also, you can go on Niche and know the rent prices there, the overall score of the neighborhood, and people’s reviews.
Even if you’re relocating at the last minute, you should do some budgeting. Just create a relocation budget with pre- and post-relocation parts. The first one should include all the expenses you will have to arrange the actual move. Here are some of those:
Probably the most important part of your relocation is the financial plan for living. As you know, you will need money for a downpayment for accommodation. The common amount you must give your landlord is two months’ worth of rent. But it would be good if you could save money for rainy days as well. Go on Numbeo.com and see the cost of living in your town of choice. Calculate how much money you will need for one month to pay bills and food and then multiply that number by three.
As you can see when organizing a move, finances are a huge part of it, but there are ways you can save on relocation costs and living, too, if you’re relocating without a job. But you’ll have to save money before you move if you plan to look for a job once you settle in. On the other hand, the smart thing would be to get a job before relocating, or at least you could start the process before. Update your resume and start sending it to every company you find interesting.
To be fair, moving to a new city alone without a job can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. All you have to do is contact a car shipping company and ask them how much it costs to ship a car. Because your car is all the assets you need to earn some money – you can work for Uber and find a part-time job. For starters, if you are willing to take up any work, you’ll manage much easier. Check this video to see other experiences of other people when relocating without a job.
There are so many relocation hacks and tricks you can implement to have the most efficient move. And probably the most important one is to create a to-do list and stick to it. This list should contain everything you must do during this whole process, from budgeting to packing pots and pans. But as we mentioned above, there are other things you must do alone without anyone’s help, and you should put those things on your list as well. It would be advisable to put the following items, so you don’t forget to do them:
Before you head off to buy packing materials, it would be helpful to downsize for a move, and the best way to do so is to declutter and get rid of all the junk you have been piling up for years. Go in each room and label all the items you haven’t used in more than two years. Get them in a garage or basement and start categorizing them into piles: toss, sell, and donate. Light packing will help you settle in better, and you will avoid having to throw something away after the move. For example, a sofa that doesn’t fit.
After you book movers and set a relocation date, it would be good to book a car shipping company. The best car shipping advice is to pick a company with an option for enclosed auto transport aside from an open trailer. Even though most cars can fit open trailers, some larger sports cars can only be transported on an enclosed one. Also, ask about pick-up and delivery options. If your final destination is far from big cities, then terminal to terminal car shipping can be inconvenient – you don’t know how far the terminal where you are supposed to pick your car will be. Door-to-door auto transport is a better option if you plan to relocate to a small town.
Is moving to a new state alone a good idea? Well, aside from the fact you will have to say goodbye to friends and family, nothing can speak against making such a move. You will get to experience different and amazing things. Explore unusual sights and surroundings, and in time you will even meet friends. And best of all, living alone will bring some clarity in your life, you will become more self-reliant and independent. This experience will force you to rethink all the choices you made in life and make you see what missteps you have made and where you can start over.
A big part of learning how to move to a new city alone is learning how to live alone in the first place. First, you need to not let relocation depression run you over. If you are feeling sad and blue (which is perfectly normal,) fight those feelings. Force yourself to be around other people. Arrange a housewarming party and invite your neighbors over for a barbeque. They will love the gesture, and you will be more comfortable with small talk at your home. Ask them about the neighborhood, and don’t be shy to go alone for a walk every now and then around the block. Or if you are relocating with the dog, even better. Take the dog out and explore what your neighborhood has to offer.
Making friends is probably something you thought you were over with. But here you are, in a town you don’t know, with all your friends across the country. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts when it comes to making friends. All we can tell you is that you should keep an open mind and accept whatever company is remotely comfortable to you. Still, you will have to make an effort and expand your normal circle of people. For example, if you have never been a hunting guy and you relocate to an area where hunting is a way of living, you will have to learn and adjust and make some compromises. Also, you can sign up for some lessons and meet people there or join a local book club and try to meet some buddies there.
Last but not least, once you do meet other people, be a yes man. If your colleagues want to go out for a drink, say yes no matter how much you don’t feel like going. Force yourself into situations you’ve never been in before and be open for adventure. There is no better way to explore and truly embrace the town than being adventurous and willing to go out. Every day go to a different coffee house or a bar. Or you can check online what is trending at the moment and see it for yourself. If there is a concert or gallery opening, don’t hesitate to attend those events, and you’ll be meeting local folks in no time.
