It sounds like the beginning of a typical romantic comedy. A young girl moves to the big city to find her dream job, falls in love, and then lives happily ever after. However, in the movies, you don’t actually have to experience the hassles that come with living downtown. Carrie Bradshaw made it look easy enough when she could afford to live in New York City with the income of a freelance writer. You think to yourself, I can do that! I mean, how hard could it be, right?
Sadly, for those of us who want to explore new territory in the city, some adjustments have to be made.
Be prepared to feel rushed.
Living in a city where humans typically flood the sidewalks can feel overwhelming at first just to make it down the street for coffee.
You will have to wait in line everywhere.
We are fortunate enough to be able to order things ahead of time and made reservations online. But when you live downtown, you will quickly find that having a reservation doesn’t really mean that you are guaranteed a seat. And yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds but it is the reality. Instead of making these mistakes, call and ask the right questions before you show up. Be the one person that will be seated right away. How do we do this? Ask the manager if you will have to wait, even if you have a reservation. Or pick a less busy time to go out, in order to guarantee yourself faster service and a seat.
You will smell and see things that can’t be unseen.
I won’t go into too much detail, but seeing people pee on buildings and witnessing outrageous fights in public becomes the norm of your morning commute.
Save your money and walk instead of cabbing.
Trust me, it adds up. Truth be told, if you are in a hurry, it will benefit you more to walk than to grab a cab. Why? Because cabs have to sit in traffic with every other person trying to get to work. This can sometimes feel like an eternity, while at the same time your money is going down the drain. However, if there isn’t enough time to walk, grab an Uber.
Don’t be tricked into buying a coffee every day.
Just because there are multiple Starbucks in your neighborhood doesn’t mean you have to get a drink every day. Make it a treat for yourself, then you will enjoy it even more. Also, it’ll save you some money that you can spend on something else more rewarding than your Starbucks points.
You can’t avoid the construction.
Whether it’s a new condo or road closures, you will always run into construction. Before you leave your home, tune into your local radio station. They can give you the information you need in a matter of seconds.
If you are a commuter, expect delays and always leave early.
Always. People are almost always late and it’s not because they slept through their alarm, but because situations often come up that will make you regret not leaving 10 minutes earlier.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Especially if you are walking a long distance. You will thank me later. Those new heels you just bought are not worth your pain. Save them for a night out on the town.
You can’t cheap out.
Be prepared to have a tiny apartment, which means your kitchen will be the same space as your bedroom. The fix? Live with someone you know in order to split the rent. This will allow you to have more room to yourself and helps you save for other expenses.
My point is: there are many factors that you have to take into consideration before moving to the city. It may seem glamorous when you live in the suburbs, but if you are someone who enjoys the sound of… well, absolute quiet – I advise you to stay put.
Featured Image via Unsplash.
