Many people feel they can only improve their lifestyle and career options by moving to the big smoke, and that’s likely why you’re here today.
Moving from the suburbs or the countryside to a new home in the middle of a bustling city center is an exciting thought, don’t you think? After all: you’ll soon experience the vibrant cultural scene and the fast-paced lifestyle that city living offers.
But, the only problem is that you’ve never lived in the middle of a busy city before, and you’re not quite sure what to expect – or even how to prepare for it!
Thankfully, this handy guide has got you covered. Check out these five important tips that you need to know if you’ve never lived in a city before:
1. Forget About Moving If You’re Broke
It’s unsurprising that you need a well-paid job before moving to the city. Even living on a shoestring budget and sharing a house with strangers might be beyond your means, so it’s a good idea to earn a higher salary.
You should research property rentals and home sales prices in your shortlisted areas to better help you understand what you’ll need to earn. Also include expenses like insurance, utility bills, and transport costs in your calculations to give you a realistic idea.
2. You Need Help Moving Your Stuff
It doesn’t matter if you’re only moving the contents of your bedroom or an entire house to your new city home. One thing’s for certain: you’ll need a moving company to help you safely transport your worldly goods! Here’s why:
- If anything breaks in transit, you won’t be responsible for the cost of repairs or replacements;
- They have the ability to temporarily park their branded vehicles on busy streets for unloading – a task often restricted for ordinary cars;
- Additionally, lifting heavy items by yourself can be challenging without help.
3. Check Out The Neighborhoods
Bustling cities are often divided into smaller neighborhoods. As you can imagine, some areas in a city are more desirable places to live than others, which is why it’s crucial to research the best neighborhoods within your budget.
Thankfully, the Internet makes this task easy; you can use websites like NeighborhoodScout and CrimeMapping.com to give you an indication of where you should live. Of course, also ask people you know for their experiences living in neighborhoods that you’ve shortlisted.
4. Car Or Public Transport?
City streets are typically much busier than what you might be used to where you live at the moment. The increased activity often leads to frequent traffic jams and a daily struggle to find parking spots!
You should think about how you’ll be commuting in the city. For many people, it makes sense to use public transport as bus and train connections are readily available. However, if you need to use a car, you’ll have to find a place where you can park it!
5. Don’t Move If You Hate Noise
One final point to consider is the noise levels in the city. In a bustling city, higher noise levels are a common occurrence.
This may not be a concern if you choose a home with excellent sound insulation. However, if you prefer a quieter lifestyle, it’s advisable to consider locations away from the busiest areas.