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How to feel at home in a new city

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So you moved to a new city. Everything’s unfamiliar, and you’re feeling both excited and nervous at the same time. You’ve accepted the fact that moving is hard and that it’ll probably take a couple months or even years to feel completely at home. But you’ve moved, and you’re ready for this new chapter in your life.

These 5 action items can get you started on integrating into your community and feeling out the social scene. Here’s how to feel at home in a new city.

Become a regular at a local business.

One of the easiest ways you can start feeling more comfortable in your new environment is to patronize local businesses in the area. Find a coffee shop or pharmacy or restaurant in your neighborhood, and introduce yourself to the owner. Once you build a sense of familiarity with the neighborhood and local people, it’ll be easier to navigate the city and walk around with confidence.

Meet your neighbors.

After moving in, make some effort into getting to know your neighbors. They probably know a lot about the area, the landlord, and the city, especially if they’ve lived there for a few years. Knock on their door, ask them when they moved in, and learn what you can from them. They’ll be a convenient resource and can even play a big role in your mental and physical health in your new home.

Get involved in community activities and volunteering.

In a similar sense, meet new people at social gatherings and volunteer opportunities. There are a lot of different ways you can start doing this, from joining a community sports club to attending Happy Hour with your coworkers. You can more easily put yourself out there and meet people when the focus is on a social activity or you share similar values with the group. Can’t find a community? Start a book club, learn a new skill, reach out to old friends. Knowing more people is key to making moving to a big city a lot less foreign and lonely.

Continue to explore the city.

Explore all you can. In every city, there are different areas, neighborhoods, crowds, and qualities. Make sure to get around and get a sense of it all, especially before you get jaded by the beauty of it all and avoid the tourist hotspots. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from just walking around, so take every opportunity to get out and explore every part of your new home.

Personalize your home.

Making your home more personal can change the way you feel in it. Plan out how you’re going to decorate your space and focus on making it completely your own. Hang up some pictures, put your favorite plants by the window, or display artists you love to listen to. Surround yourself with whatever makes you most happy and comfortable, and you’ll feel at ease.

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…or just move into Common.

Common makes moving to a new city easy, affordable, and convenient. Not only can you get started on all these action items right away, but you can also expect a fully furnished home, free household essentials (like free laundry and free detergent), exclusive discounts at popular brands, and exciting community events.

Feel completely at home on your first day in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Find your next home today.

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