Whether you are striking out to your first job after college, or moving your whole family for a job relocation; moving is hard. Here are a few helpful tips to successfully begin adjusting to your new surroundings.

Plan Your New Commute

Think ahead, and plan the routes you’ll eventually need to follow. Knowing the quickest way to work, schools, and local centers will make you feel more confident about starting a new routine. As you map out your regular routes, make note of surroundings and landmarks. Having a general understanding of the city layout makes it seem less foreign.

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Discovering local places can help give you a good idea of your new neighborhood’s personality. Gainin an understanding of your community’s identity can put you in a better position to settle in. Shopping and dining locally is also a great way to integrate into your new community.

Keep Your Relationships

Staying connected with friends from your previous city requires some effort, but it’s worth it. Long distance friendships have a way of making you feel balanced and grounded when you experience change. New relationships can take time to develop when you move to a new city, but you’ll appreciate knowing you have support from your friends.

Remember that People are Mirrors

People tend to reflect the energy that they see and feel around them. If you don’t feel that your new city has a friendly environment, look to yourself first, and think of the way strangers see you. If you appear closed off and sullen, they’ll interact with you the same way. Making the conscious decision to be kind and warm toward everyone around you can make your new city feel that way to you, too.

Understand that Adjustment Takes Time

Moving to a new city is difficult. Don’t doubt yourself if your new place or your new city doesn’t feel like home right away. Be patient as you undergo this major change, and eventually, you will feel like your new home is, well… home.