How to Move to a New City Alone: Tips

By Kaitlin Hurtado on August 16, 2022

Moving can be a stressful situation for just about anyone, and moving to a new city alone can take your stress to an entirely new level. Regardless of your reason for moving, the solo endeavor can be daunting and lonely, even for the most outgoing individuals. While it may not be your ideal situation, moving to a new city alone can bring so much into your life, from new friends to endless opportunities for self-growth. Keep reading for tips on moving to a new city alone.

Photo: Pexels

Research the area

If you are feeling anxious about your solo move, one way to make yourself feel more reassured is to take some time to research the area you are moving to. For many, a main source of anxiety is having so many unknown factors facing them in the future. Where will they grocery shop? Which local gyms can they visit? If public transportation is the main option, how can you navigate the area?

Taking the time to look into what your life is going to look like, from your new go-to cafes to your daily commute can help you shape up what you can expect. Of course, you are not going to be able to plan your new life down to the exact details, but you can set yourself up to feel more comfortable in a strange, new city by not going in blindly.

Don’t pack your entire life with you 

Moving to a new city can often mean moving across the state, or even the country. The move can be stressful, and expensive, depending on how much you are choosing to bring with you to your new city. The solution is pretty obvious — pack light. While you may not want to depart with all your belongings, stowing them away in a storage unit or selling them prior to your move can help you prepare for your new space and new experiences.

Leaving behind larger items like bed frames, dressers, and dining table sets can help you save the cost and trouble of moving them across state lines. You may also not realize how different your new living space is for your current one. Your current furniture may not fit in your new space, or you may want to buy new furniture to match your new space’s vibe.

Embrace being alone

Some people are perfectly okay to spend hours on end alone. Some thrive by spending extra time to themselves indoors, giving time back to themselves to destress. However, you don’t want to spend your entire time in a new city shut in indoors and hold yourself back from experiencing new things. While you may feel comfortable being alone in your living space, you may not feel so comfortable going out doing things on your own in a new city.

Things you would do with friends back home, like going out to eat or venturing out for some nightlife, can be a bit scary for some to try on their own. Whether you don’t feel comfortable being in an unknown area by yourself or you crave company, your initial outings in a new city are likely going to be on your own.

While you wish you can experience these things with a friend, embrace getting to learn a new routine on your own, without having another person’s influence on your decision.

Go to local events

If you aren’t sure about the best way to explore your new city and make new connections, look for ads for local events. Not only can you explore the area with things like street fairs, open mic nights, and pop-up shops, but you can also connect with others who live in the same area.

Sign up for some workout classes at a local gym, or join a book club at your local library or bookstore.

Do a trial period with a close friend 

Moving to a new city on your own can be lonely, and you never know how long it will take to build up a network of friends in a new area. If you are still studying in college or moving for a job, it can be easier to get instant connections in a new city, but if you are moving to a new city, you are likely going to be on your own for a while.

Invite a close friend with you to help you out with the move to a new city. Invite them to stay for a weekend or week and help you get settled. While they aren’t going to be with you forever, having them for those first few nights in a new city can help you alleviate some of that expected homesickness and give you someone to explore the area with.

Moving to a new city alone can be scary, but can be the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and grow. Good luck!

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format