14 Tips on Moving from a Small Town to a Big City

Moving from a small town to a big city conjures up made-for-TV movies of a fish-out-of-water hero trying to find their way. In reality, making the move could empower you to live out your dreams, find new career opportunities, and enjoy new experiences you're unlikely to find anywhere else. Despite all the adventure of moving from a small town to a big city, it still requires some planning. Here, we researched it all for you to make the best choice for you.

1. Find the Best Neighborhood for You

Choosing the best neighborhood in your new city can make or make or break your experience. Whether you want to live in the heart of the urban core or a quiet area on the outskirts of your new city, you can find what you're looking for with a bit of research.

Read Blogs

Blogs are your BFFs when it comes to making a big move. Scour blogs, websites, and sites like Medium and Huffington Post to find writers talking about their neighborhoods and communities. Try reaching out to your favorite content creators to pick their brains about their local community.

Watch Local YouTube Content

YouTubers can also offer a wealth of information before you make a move. Queue up some videos to watch when you're unwinding or making dinner. Pay attention to content that talks about your new city from a local's perspective and all the best haunts and neighborhoods.

Read the News

You can get a sense of what a city is really like by reading their local news outlets. From politics to upcoming events to opinion pieces, brushing up on the news helps you get in the local mindset and better understand what to expect.

Visit the property in-person

Whenever possible, visit an apartment or rental in-person. Virtual tours are also helpful but are often designed to make the property look more desirable. It's also tricky to figure out what the space really looks like and whether or not there are issues with noise or odors.

Visit the property virtually

Virtual apartment tours aren't the only way to get more intel on your new city. Use Google Maps to view the property from the 'street view' perspective. Check out potential apartment complexes, your dream neighborhood, local hang-outs, potential work areas, and parks.

2. Learn about the Cost of Living

With few exceptions, the cost of living in your small town is probably much lower than in the big city. Moving to areas like New York City and Los Angeles feels like sticker shock compared to what you might be used to. Regardless of where you're relocating, it's essential to check out how much more expensive the area is and what to consider. For example, a city like Cleveland, known for its low cost of living, has higher grocery costs than other areas. If you're moving somewhere hot and humid, you'll likely need a healthier utilities budget for air conditioning in the summer. Get a breakdown of your cost of living here.

3. Try the Local Transportation System

One of the best parts about living in a big city is access to public transportation. While not every city has a robust subway system or light rail, most offer access by bus or a combination of bus and rail. Take time to learn the system and how it benefits your daily life. If you can catch the train to work, you'll save on parking costs and free up your attention to get some work done or read a book. How the local transportation works could also impact the neighborhood you choose to live in and where you want to work.

4. Look Into Selling Your Car

Your car may have been your main form of transportation in your small town, but you may not need it in a big city. In fact, owning a car in a city will likely drive up your costs and create stress over parking, insurance, and traffic. If your new city is well-connected with public transportation, consider selling your car and stashing the money in an emergency fund instead. Make sure Uber, Lyft, and rental cars are readily available in your area to fill in any transportation gaps.

5. Follow Local Influencers

Local influencers are never short on suggestions for what to see and where to be seen. Scour Instagram, Tik Tok, and rising influencers to learn more about your new city and upcoming events. Or send a DM and ask about their favorite pubs, music venues, and outdoor pursuits.

6. Experience the Local Food

Culinary delights are a significant draw for city newcomers. Put yourself out there to savor the best restaurants, hole-in-the-wall gems, and food trucks to find your new favorites. Most cities also have historic neighborhoods with mouth-watering ethnic eateries and authentic restaurants.

7. Meet People Online

Putting yourself out there is often easier said than done. Sure, you can hang out at the most popular venues and pubs in town, but it's not always easy to make connections. Try using Bumble BFF, dating apps, and MeetUp.com to meet other like-minded people who share your passion for exploring your new city.

Facebook groups can be goldmines for finding locals. Look for groups catering to newcomers to team up with people going through the same experience. You can trade tips and knowledge and hit the ground running with a new group of friends.

8. Consider Living with Roommates

City living is notoriously expensive, especially relative to a small town. Consider living with roommates to reduce your rent and share expenses like utilities. Beyond finances, living with roommates also immediately expands your social circle, where you suddenly have access to new friends and acquaintances.

9. Rethink Your Savings Strategy

When you live in a small town, it's usually easier to save money and live comfortably. Living in a big city, such as Seattle or New York City, is often expensive and sometimes requires spending more than the 30% rule on rent. Make sure your salary aligns with the lifestyle and neighborhood you want to live in. You may need to make some compromises, especially if you want to travel or save for an emergency fund or retirement. Looking for apartment move-in specials can help, or you may need a side hustle to supplement your income.

10. Plan for New Activities and Hobbies

There's never a shortage of things going on when you live in a big city. The norm is annual festivals, live music, art walks, gallery openings, and bar hopping. You may want to invest in a yearly museum pass or sign up for new classes that weren't available to you in your small town. Determining a budget for your hobbies and activities is also a savvy step to living comfortably in your new city. Jot down a list of your interests and passions and research what's available and how to make the most of your time and money.

11. Maximize Your Time

City dwellers know time is precious and limited. Learn to maximize your time by time-blocking your work, social commitments, and things like cleaning your apartment. Relying on apps to schedule your time also helps keep you focused on what's next. When you can account for your time, you can prioritize the things important to you, like dinner with friends or long bike rides on urban pathways.

12. Reframe Your Quality of Life

Small town locals and city dwellers usually think of the term "quality of life" differently. For the most part, small towns offer peace and quiet, less expensive lifestyles, more time for hobbies, and access to the great outdoors. Cities are known for their cultural offerings and endless opportunities whether you want a new job or indulge in the nightlife. However, the expense is significant and is usually a more stressful place to live. Make sure your idea of the quality of life aligns with the lifestyle you're planning to lead in your new city.

13. Adjust to a Fast-Paced Lifestyle

Whether you live in a small town or a big city, life gets busy. However, living in the heart of a metropolis brings a whole new definition to the words "hustle and bustle." It's easy to get caught up in the energy and find yourself over-committing to everything or staying out too late. It's also normal to feel some anxiety from the rapid-fire pace as you adjust to your new environment. Make sure to schedule downtime to take a quiet walk in a park, watch a movie on Netflix by yourself, or take up a yoga class.

14. Understand the Changes

Some of the best advice about moving from a small town to a big city is understanding and embracing your changes. Life, friendships, work, transportation, eating, and everything else in between are different when you live in a city. Here are a few areas to consider before you make your move.

Less Personal Space

Apartments are smaller in the city, and you're unlikely to enjoy as much personal space. You'll also feel the squeeze if you live with roommates or like throwing parties for friends and neighbors.

Less Quiet

Despite the leaf blowers and lawnmowers tidying up manicured lawns, small towns are known for their peace and quiet. The city brings a cacophony of noise with cabs, buses, people, music, and construction. Invest in a white noise machine, quality earplugs, and noise-canceling headphones if you're sensitive to noise.

People are Less Friendly

There's a stereotype that people in the city are less friendly, which can sometimes hold true. If you're a people person, you'll need a thicker skin for interaction and trying to foster friendships. But here's a pro tip: People in the city are busy and wrapped up in their own world, but that doesn't mean they won't stop to give you directions or lend a hand if you need it.

Shopping for Necessities Is Challenging

Not all cities have Targets and Walmarts readily available with everything you need, from home decor to groceries. Getting everything you need is doable in the city but comes with its challenges and may require some creativity. Some urban areas only have small bodegas and shops without hopping on public transportation or owning a car. It's possible to order online, but if you live in an apartment without a door attendant to receive them, you will likely need to deliver your items to work or a friend who works from home.

Rent is Expensive

Even if you understand the cost of living in your new city, getting past the rent spike isn't always easy. A tiny studio in your new city may cost three times more in rent than what you're accustomed to. Remember, it's a trade-off and to focus on what you're gaining, like new career and cultural opportunities.

FOMO is Real

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is very real in densely populated cities. Even when you have a plan for a Saturday night, you'll wonder if you're at the wrong club or if the pub in the neighborhood across town is better. There's always a sense you should be seeing and doing more in a fast-paced city with endless possibilities.

Final Thoughts

Big city living comes with big wins, like hot restaurants, pubs, and museums. There are some compromises to make, but they are often worth the added expense of access to so many amenities. Start looking towards your new lifestyle and think about downsizing, renting a storage unit, and deciding to bike more to make the most of your time and skip some of the hustle and bustle of city living.