How To Acclimate Yourself to a New City
Let’s get real – moving to a new city can be tough. Even if you already know people who live there, and have an apartment, job, or family in your soon-to-be hometown, getting used to calling a new place home can be difficult. Looking for ways to speed up the process? We’ve got you covered. Here are some surefire ways to help make your new home feel like your old home.
Just Do It
If you want to move, just do it. On giving advice to young filmmakers, director Quentin Tarantino once said: “If you want to make a movie, make it. Don’t wait for a grant, don’t wait for the perfect circumstances, just make it.” That’s how moving should be. This is YOUR life, not your friends or your families. If something is holding you back from your true life’s calling related to your geographical location, just get the fuck out of dodge.
Via – Pinterest
Say Yes To Everything
By “everything” I obviously don’t mean the creepy stuff that raises your red flag. I mean the random happy hour invites from your cube-mates. You know, the ones full of awkward silences that you’ll look back on and try to forget ever happened. It won’t be your best new memory. But you’ll say yes to them so you can socialize with new people and not become a hermit that sells human hair dolls online for a living.
When you’ve moved to a new city, the good will you get from strangers and acquaintances has an expiration date. Because you’re a new resident, you’ll get invitations to events that you wouldn’t get otherwise, and people will be excited to invite you out because you could be their new best friend. So take complete advantage of it and say yes to everything, even if it’s a bit out of your comfort zone. Saying yes to these invites, even the slightly uncomfortable ones, will help you shape your new life. To be clear, “slightly uncomfortable” as in the midweek brunch date with your old college roommate, not the neighborhood orgy. Unless that’s the new life you’re looking for, I guess. This is a “no judgment” zone.
Riveting
Keep up with local news
Think that the local newspaper is too “townie” for you? Too bad – get a subscription and start reading. The fastest way to get acclimated to a new place is to keep up to date with what’s going on in the local newspaper. Yeah, I get it, you don’t give two shits about the local union strike but you don’t wanna sound like a dick if it comes up in conversation. Current events are good to have on the backburner for small talk, but you’ll also learn a lot about your new home. Shit, you might even end up knowing more than longtime residents. But don’t be *that* asshole. You know, the one who rubs their knowledge in other people’s faces. Nobody likes that guy. Nobody. That guy becomes Bill O’Reilly or Bill Maher and, if I’m being honest, one of them is enough.
Attend free community events
Commit to attending at least one neighborhood event a week for the first three months you’re living in a new place. Why? Because you may find out some cool shit about your new neighborhood. These can be anything – from a poetry open mic at a nearby coffee shop to a summer solstice beach festival, go to something that piques your interest. You’re also usually supporting local small businesses by doing this, which is solid human behavior in general. But be warned – attending these events doesn’t count unless you actually interact with people while you’re there. If you don’t interact, you’re the “weird guy” in the corner that everyone assumes scratches his ass and smells his finger! You aren’t that guy, damn it! You’re better than that! Unless it’s a weird “Sleep No More” thing. Then you can stay a wallflower.
Via – Pinterest
Like new stuff on social media
Yes, really, hitting the “Like” button on the Facebook page for your new city, a prominent business in the area and some local publications can make the world of difference. You’re new so get that social media on point. Do it according to your tastes, though, or your facebook page could get real weird. If you aren’t into sex toys or weed shops, don’t click “like” on those or you may get a surprise dildo or bong ad on your wall while browsing in a public place.
Find a new place for your favorite hobby
Just because you’re in a new place doesn’t mean you can’t practice your old favorites. Whether it’s tabletop gaming or hiking or something else altogether, find a local spot where you can practice your favorite past times. New places mean new people with shared interests means new friends. Get it? (Don’t worry – we’re sure you can find a place in your new home that fits all your cool hobbies like knitting, playing solitaire, and being anti-social.)
Via – Pinterest
Keep in touch with family and friends
Sure, it may sound a little counterintuitive, but odds are that regularly keeping in touch with your family and friends will inspire you to make new connections in your new home. Don’t be that person who falls off the map once they leave. Put in the effort to maintain old relationships while you’re making new ones, and you’ll be just fine. Those old relationships are necessary to transition into a new adventure. Just like sport-fucking an ex that was great in bed while getting to know your new partner helps the transition go smoothly.
You know how there’s the Freshmen 15 when you go to college for the first time? The exact opposite is going to happen when you move to a new place. You’ll drop a bunch of dead weight (in the form of negative people) and live your healthiest life in a long, long time.
Get moving, sheeple!
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