If you haven't made a major move that wasn't because your parents got a new job or bought a new house, let me tell you: it is equally as terrifying as it is thrilling to go someplace new. Major shoutout to Brandon for suggesting this topic for the week! Thanks, Brandon! My experience moving isn't going to be the same as yours. However, I can lay out what mine has been like and give general suggestions on how to prepare and what to expect. So, let's get into it:
How to prepare: -Find a place of living and start looking early for both housing and work. Even if there doesn't seem to be anything available yet, at least try scoping out where you want to live. -Do your research. This should include (but is not limited to): travel costs, shipping, logistics of the city (public transportation, accessibility, etc.), and what the locals do for fun! (Research doesn't have to be boring). -Think within reason. If you don't have the means to make an across-the-country move, then budget so you can within a certain amount of time. It's super exciting to pick up and leave, but make yourself the #1 priority and make sure you can at least meet the minimum for stability. -Find good people who will support you along the way. Whether it's help with packing, emotional support, advice, or even financial support, it always helps to have people in your corner. When we moved, we began our search for housing in late January and didn't find anything available until mid-April. It also took a couple of months for employers to get back to us and to even get a single interview. Be prepared for a grind and to wade through some intense moments of panic. We also had to spend some time researching and figuring out how we were going to get our stuff all the way from Tucson to Chicago. The answer was: Cut down on things you can afford to lose, and ship what you need. It was a crazy process for a couple of months, but (believe it or not) it's possible to accomplish! Now let's talk about what it's like to be in a new city: I feel extremely fortunate and I've been able to slip into Chicago with incredible ease. Not only has the weather been kind and gorgeous, but navigating the city is simple. There is so much to do here that I have to continuously remind myself that I have at least a year to experience everything I want to do. It's both a blessing and a curse to be surrounded by constant activity from sports to theatre because that means there's never a dull moment but it's also impossible to experience everything that the city has to offer. When you move somewhere new, here are my top 5 pieces of advice for you: 1) Find things that fit in your regular routine. If you went to the gym a lot, find a gym that you can become a member at. If you went to go get a pizza for dinner at the end of every month, seek out a new pizza place. Just because you've moved doesn't mean that you have to give up the habits you've developed that you enjoyed. 2) Say "yes" to accessible opportunities. Sometimes moving means you don't know too many people in the area. If there's an event going on in your neighborhood or close to you, don't miss it! We're social beings (yes, even introverts need some social time), so make an effort to find people to put in your circle, even for just 5 minutes. 3) Don't worry about getting lost. Especially in big cities, it's so easy to get off at the wrong bus stop or to get turned around. Don't sweat it. Take the opportunity to appreciate that you ended up somewhere you might not have. Just make sure you leave enough room for error in your travel time next time! 4) Engage with the community. Explore, see what's going on around you, and don't be scared to try new things. 5) Remember that it's ok to not fit immediately. Give yourself some breathing room and remind yourself that it takes time to get used to new places. If you're truly not happy, then don't be miserable. Pay your dues, learn from the experience, and make plans for your next steps. If you've done a major move recently, feel free to leave a comment and let me know where you moved to and from, and how you did it! If you have any other tips and tricks or questions, I'd also love to hear them as well! Thank you so much for reading this blog post, and I hope you have a happy, healthy, and adventurous week!
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AuthorElena B. Archives
June 2020
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