Traveling to a big city might be fun but moving to another city is even better. After all, that’s the best way to enjoy all the fun a new location has to offer. Whether you’re moving for work or for pleasure (and then work), there are countless reasons why moving to a big city might be the right choice for you.
Why moving to a city is a good idea
Have you ever thought about moving to a larger city? Learning how to move cities is a big step, especially if you’re from a smaller city to begin with. It might seem intimidating, but no one ever said you have to stay there forever. Even if you go to a bigger city for a short amount of time, you can grow in a multitude of ways and experience a slew of new experiences.
Are you thinking about how to move cities? Here’s why you should think about scaling up?
- It can inspire independence since you have to navigate a new place. This happens no matter where you move, but larger cities are a whole different ball game. You’ll likely have to live in a smaller space, navigate an enormous map, and learn how to use the subway for the first time. It’s tougher to live in a location like this which can inspire independence in just about everything you do. Even getting an AC repair service to come at a specific time might be hard, but it’s worth it unless you want to try it yourself.
- There are countless opportunities at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for a new job, new friends, or a new spot to eat every night, a larger city has everything you need to thrive. Get out of your comfort zone by experiencing something new almost every day. Odds are, you’ll never run out of spots to explore in a larger city.
- You’ll grow. Just like independence can be liberating, the challenges of moving to a big city can inspire growth in a multitude of ways. You’ll be exposed to countless different types of people which can broaden your world view. You’ll learn about religious neighborhoods and cultural hubs in certain parts of the city. If you come from a small town, the exposure you’ll get in a big city is priceless.
How to move cities: Step 1
Now that you’ve officially decided to move cities, you’ll have to prepare for the big move to come. Here’s how you can start making the transition:
First, you’re going to want to find an apartment. You can try finding a house in the suburbs, but unless you receive an enormous salary, odds are that you’ll have to start in an apartment to get your foot in the door.
You can find countless apartments on apartment hunting sites like Apartments.com, Curbed, ApartmentFinder, and more. But don’t be locked into sites like these. There are also community-driven options available in every corner of the internet. Check out some local city-based subreddits or see if there are any options listed on the Facebook Marketplace. Craigslist will also have some great options, but you should watch out when it comes to scammers. Never accept an apartment from a social site if you don’t know how to spot a fake deal. As such, you should get a few different people in on your apartment search.
Here are some things you might want to look for in a new apartment listing:
- Updated appliances. Living in an apartment is hard enough without modern amenities. If the apartment has an outdated stove or a moldy fridge, you should cross this option off of your checklist. Ask the landlord or property manager if the roof is in good shape and when the last time was that they updated the electrical. It never hurts to encourage a landlord to invest in residential roofing services.
- Is it pet friendly? If you’re moving with a pet or planning to get a dog since you will live alone, you’ll want to filter out any options that don’t allow pets. After all, pets can be an anchor in an otherwise crazy world. Once you’re done learning the things to know about puppy training, giving up Fido is simply out of the question. Just keep in mind that some apartments demand an additional fee to house a dog. Anything more than a couple hundred should be crossed off of your list, too.
- Consider the location. As mentioned earlier, navigating a city can be hard. If you’re a regular at a local coffee shop or need access to prompt medical care because of a preexisting condition, finding an apartment nearby is essential. Within walking distance is ideal, but you should also consider investing in a bike if you can. Making these appointments is key if you need to do it often. If you have a pet, living near local veterinary services can help make the trek easier if you have a nervous pet.
Finding an apartment is hard work. In fact, it’s not uncommon for many apartment hunters in big cities like New York City and Los Angeles to rely on a realtor to help them find a great option.
You’ll likely have to compromise on some things but you should remain hard on others that matter the most. For example, investing in a place with driveway gates might be key in making you feel safer at night. However, having a gardening space might be compromisable if there’s a local community garden nearby.
How to move cities: Step 2
Now it’s time to start packing. It’s recommended that you go room by room to make things easier. While grouping like items together in your entire home seems to make sense, it’s much easier to pack, store, and then unpack boxes that are organized by room. After all, who wants to stack a bunch of boxes in one corner of the room and play guessing games when you start to unpack? It’s far easier to go room by room and then place each box in their designated rooms when you finally move in. As such, you should start with this technique when you first begin packing.
Getting boxes might be your first step when it comes to apartment moving. You can typically get affordable moving boxes from your local hardware store or other moving supply company. But if you’re strapped for cash, local grocery stores and liquor stores are usually lush with boxes. Consider asking these locations if they have any boxes that they would be willing to spare.
While you’re packing, be sure to invest in other packing supplies. This includes the obvious (boxes), but also the less-than-obvious. These items include:
- Strong packing tape — masking tape simply doesn’t cut it.
- Plenty of bubble wrap and newspaper to keep fragile goods safe from the jostling of a moving truck. You can also invest in corrugated cardboard roles.
- Plastic wrap to keep various small items together. This is essential for jewelry, dishware, and more. Additionally, you can never go wrong with plastic baggies of various sizes.
- Markers to label your boxes. This will make unpacking all the easier when it’s finally time to move in.
The last item on your moving checklist should be the number of a great long distance moving company. These services will ensure that your move goes according to plan. They’ll even have all the aforementioned supplies to make your move all the easier. In some cases, they can also offer packing services for an additional fee. Regardless, having a team of strong movers with experience at your disposal is priceless when you’re learning how to move cities.
How to move cities: Step 3
One of the best things you can do is hire a moving company. As mentioned above, moving companies have all the necessary tools and experience to make your big transition to a new place all the easier. Not only are they used to doing this type of work, but they can also move those heavy items that might take two or three people to carry. No matter how much pizza you give your friends, the value of a moving company is nearly priceless.
Here are some of the top services a moving company can offer you:
- A moving truck: While you can always rent a moving truck on your own, you can ensure the quality is top-notch when you rely on moving services. You won’t have to worry about it breaking down halfway to your destination and you won’t waste time trying to figure out the controls of the car. More often than not, the movers operate the car. You can simply drive yours to your destination.
- Dollies and lifting straps: Also mentioned above, the heavy items in your home might need a little extra strength. Unfortunately, not everyone owns a dolly to cart around heavy goods or quality lifting straps to save your back pain. Better yet, most moving companies have a few different dollies to choose from: furniture dollies, appliance dollies, and utility dollies can streamline the process even more.
- Storage options: If you opt for a moving company that also offers storage, you’re in luck. When you move to a new city, you might have to sell your items or ditch them for a smaller space. By relying on quality storage solutions with sturdy garage floors, you can rest assured that your items will be protected until you need them. This is also vital for any decorations you have that you simply don’t have the space for. If your moving company doesn’t have storage solutions available, they likely know the name of local companies that you can contact from there. Just be sure that the company has invested in new garage door sales to ensure that your goods are better protected against the elements. The last thing you want is for your goods to get damaged by water, mold, or disasters.
- Insurance: Moving your own goods means that you might break a few things in the process. After all, moving fine china, gentle ceramic, and fragile glass is hard for anyone. Movers are adept at moving fragile items with care. But in the event that an accident does occur, you can rest easy knowing that your moving company has insurance. Keep in mind that these insurance claims vary from location to location. In some cases, a moving company will compensate the person only in the event of lost items or missed deadlines. Others will compensate for broken items, but only if they’re above a certain dollar amount. This insurance can help you when something goes awry, so it’s worth paying a little more. This goes double if you’re investing in a long-distance move where more issues could occur.
Moving companies are the best services when you want to learn how to move cities. It isn’t always easy to find the perfect option, but relying on online reviews, personal recommendations, and meeting them in person can help you make the right decision.
How to move cities
Moving is rarely an easy job, but these simple tips can help make it a little easier. At the end of the day, don’t be afraid to lean on friends, look up more tips online, and get the best advice from professionals. Odd are, you might cry with frustration here and there, especially when it comes to finding the perfect apartment. Regardless, these trials and tribulations will only make the move that much more satisfying when it’s finally done. You’re doing a great thing for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for help when it’s needed.
Whether you’re moving to a big city from a small town or just trying to see what the world has to offer, moving to a big city has the potential to change your life. When you’re trying to better your living situation, rely on these top tips for guidance.
