When you move to a new city, one of the most important things to do is get familiar with it. Once you develop the familiarity, and knowledge of the closest supermarket, shortest way home, and how to get from any one place to another without looking at a map, it goes a long way towards feeling at home in that place. There's something comforting about knowing neighborhood restaurants, and where to go for anything you need, without having to look for directions or ask for a reference.
Here are a few tips and ideas to help you navigate a new city:
1. Get a map and a guide book. Ideally, do this before you leave. This way, if you love a particular brand, say Fodor's or Lonely Planet, you are guaranteed to find it in the language you're most comfortable with. Take a look at the local points of interest, areas considered highly touristy (i.e. shopping centers), and parks and monuments.
2. Plot out and points of interest to you on the map. Using the map with the guide book, you might want to highlight any areas on the map that you want to visit, or consider living close by. If you are moving someplace with a subway/metro, you may want to try and figure out which stations match up to these points of interest.
3. Seek out people from your host city before you move. Ask them for any tips about places to see, places to eat, and, especially, any areas considered dangerous. Again, highlight these on your map.
4. Become a regular. If you find a restaurant, news shop, bookstore, or cafe, for example, that you absolutely love. Make a point to go there at least a few times a week. Before you know it, the waiters or owner will be asking you how you are, and get into small talk with you. It's an added bonus to feel recognized in a new city - takes away from that feeling of "anonymity" that can haunt us at the beginning.
5. Bring good shoes. I know this may sound funny, but if you're moving someplace with lots of cobblestone streets that you plan to walk on, make sure you bring comfortable, flat shoes, with a strong sole. If you only bring heels, or thin-bottomed shoes, you'll wear through them in a week!
6. Be a Tourist. Yes, be a tourist with pride! Dare yourself to take every double-decker bus trip in the city, boat trips, city guided tours. This is such a great way to learn tips about the city, hot spots, you might not otherwise have found, and, if your tour guide is nice, you could tell them you recently moved to the city, and ask them for local tips on where to eat, drink, shop, etc.
7. Research nearby destinations. Sometimes, you may want to get out of the city for a break, or change of pace. Your guide book is one source of easily reachable day trips. You could also go to the nearest train station and pick up some schedules to see what's within a one-hour train ride, and then research those cities online if your guide book doesn't list them.
8. Connect with nature. Sometimes the best way to "zone out", see how the locals relax, and enjoy some downtime is to go to a nearby park. See if your guide book mentions any, or this is one of those tips you could ask for, from your tour guide, if you follow tip 6, or a new friend, if you've followed tip 4.
If you enjoyed these tips, feel free to download my free report with additional tips and strategies about successfully transitioning to a new culture.
To access the free report, visit http://www.culturetransition.com, where you can sign up for my free newsletter.
For more in-depth information about learning to feel at home after relocating, visit http://www.relocationsuccessguide.com where you'll have access to a core set of strategies to help you love your new life!
From Heather Markel, The Culture Transition Gal. Helping you learn to feel at home anywhere in the world.
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