5 Steps to Establish a Country Sanctuary in Your Urban Lifestyle
Relocating from a rural setting to a new, fresh urban area can be super exciting – and super terrifying. After all, if you’ve spent your whole life on a first-name basis with everyone in your town, you could quickly feel lost in a city of any size.
You may be surrounded by the unfamiliar, but there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t bring a bit of the country feel uptown with you. Things like cozy surroundings and a few dependable friends can help your new home resemble the security of the antique farmhouse where you grew up. When you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the new sights and sounds and smells, help yourself keep it all together by concentrating on these five steps:
Unless you have been a frequent visitor or already have friends in the area, you’re not likely to be familiar with the city neighborhoods. Finding a place that makes you feel secure should be a priority.
It could mean spending a little more money, but an area with an attractive reputation might be an excellent place to start. Remember, it doesn’t have to be long term, and a comfortable home could make the big city seem a lot less scary.
Spend some time researching housing in the city before you move, and make a trip or two so you can visit different areas in person. A neighborhood may look perfect on paper, but if it doesn’t feel quite right, you might be best moving on.
Too much new can throw you off balance and make critical decisions like job selection more complicated than it has to be. Establishing a “home base” that reminds you of your childhood surroundings can be a vital step during this change.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to get away from your musty old life. Still, a familiar decorating style can have a powerful effect on your sanity when you need to recharge. Fill your new apartment with at least a few pieces of rustic decor that remind you of home. Something as simple as an old-fashioned lantern like the one your grandparents had on their porch could be enough to give you a taste of the security you felt when you were a kid.
Back home, you probably made your friends when all you needed to have in common was being the same size in a world full of grown-ups. However, now that you’re the adult, it’s time to branch out and try out your friend-making skills. Social interaction is often valuable to happiness, and you could start by attending neighborhood or building-wide events. Find new friends by participating in neighborhood sports organizations or volunteering. If there’s an activity that you’ve always wanted to try, now could be a great time.
Plus, networking is often the best way to discover new places and opportunities. No one knows how to find fun in the city better than the people who already live there. You might stumble into that fantastic hidden gem on your own, but chances are the neighbor across the hall has already been there and would love to tell you about it.
You may not be smitten with your new home at first. But, it’s probably not the city’s fault. A move anywhere will usually upset your stability and routine. Coupled with a new job and unfamiliarity, you could logically feel overwhelmed. Often, those who are experienced with relocating suggest that you allow yourself a full year to adapt before you throw up your hands and call it quits. Remember that adjusting to change takes time, and if you're not thrilled with your first home, you could always transition to a more suitable one.
Lastly, it is often vital that you don’t forget your roots. Stay in touch with your friends and family and go home for the holidays whenever possible. Invite them to the city and show them all of the cool places you never imagined could exist. Entertaining guests is also an excellent way to explore museums and tours that you might not consider visiting on your own.
You may be living in a strange new world, but it doesn’t have to stay unfamiliar for long. If you keep a healthy support system and an open mind to new experiences, your move to the big city could change your life.
You may be surrounded by the unfamiliar, but there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t bring a bit of the country feel uptown with you. Things like cozy surroundings and a few dependable friends can help your new home resemble the security of the antique farmhouse where you grew up. When you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the new sights and sounds and smells, help yourself keep it all together by concentrating on these five steps:
- Find a Comfortable Home
Unless you have been a frequent visitor or already have friends in the area, you’re not likely to be familiar with the city neighborhoods. Finding a place that makes you feel secure should be a priority.
It could mean spending a little more money, but an area with an attractive reputation might be an excellent place to start. Remember, it doesn’t have to be long term, and a comfortable home could make the big city seem a lot less scary.
Spend some time researching housing in the city before you move, and make a trip or two so you can visit different areas in person. A neighborhood may look perfect on paper, but if it doesn’t feel quite right, you might be best moving on.
- Find a Familiar Style
Too much new can throw you off balance and make critical decisions like job selection more complicated than it has to be. Establishing a “home base” that reminds you of your childhood surroundings can be a vital step during this change.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to get away from your musty old life. Still, a familiar decorating style can have a powerful effect on your sanity when you need to recharge. Fill your new apartment with at least a few pieces of rustic decor that remind you of home. Something as simple as an old-fashioned lantern like the one your grandparents had on their porch could be enough to give you a taste of the security you felt when you were a kid.
- Find Friends
Back home, you probably made your friends when all you needed to have in common was being the same size in a world full of grown-ups. However, now that you’re the adult, it’s time to branch out and try out your friend-making skills. Social interaction is often valuable to happiness, and you could start by attending neighborhood or building-wide events. Find new friends by participating in neighborhood sports organizations or volunteering. If there’s an activity that you’ve always wanted to try, now could be a great time.
Plus, networking is often the best way to discover new places and opportunities. No one knows how to find fun in the city better than the people who already live there. You might stumble into that fantastic hidden gem on your own, but chances are the neighbor across the hall has already been there and would love to tell you about it.
- Find Perseverance
You may not be smitten with your new home at first. But, it’s probably not the city’s fault. A move anywhere will usually upset your stability and routine. Coupled with a new job and unfamiliarity, you could logically feel overwhelmed. Often, those who are experienced with relocating suggest that you allow yourself a full year to adapt before you throw up your hands and call it quits. Remember that adjusting to change takes time, and if you're not thrilled with your first home, you could always transition to a more suitable one.
- Find Revitalization
Lastly, it is often vital that you don’t forget your roots. Stay in touch with your friends and family and go home for the holidays whenever possible. Invite them to the city and show them all of the cool places you never imagined could exist. Entertaining guests is also an excellent way to explore museums and tours that you might not consider visiting on your own.
You may be living in a strange new world, but it doesn’t have to stay unfamiliar for long. If you keep a healthy support system and an open mind to new experiences, your move to the big city could change your life.
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