Coming from a small town to a big city can be a task. As I mentioned in the other article, (Beware Of These Challenges When You Shift To A City) the change can be a big hurdle one needs to cross before finally, one settles down in their new life. There are a lot of challenges you face when you shift to a metropolitan city after having lived in a small town your whole life. You’re leaving a city that you know like the back of your hand, every other house on the street is like home because you know everyone in the town and YOUR OWN HOUSE! You’re going to be far away from family and that’s got to be tough.
But as they say, change is the only constant. When you find yourself getting homesick and want to run back, remind yourself why you moved to the city in the first place. Remind yourself of your purpose, goals and ambitions in life that have landed you in the city. However, sometimes that doesn’t work either. So here’s a list of ways you can get over the challenges of shifting to a new city and hopefully feel less homesick:
Get a roommate
Getting a roommate is the closest and the best way to feel like living with a family. They remind you of the support system you had back home. When you’re coming back from a tired day of college or work and don’t want to come back to an empty apartment, a roommate will always be there for you. As the years’ pass, they become one of your closest friends, confidant and like a family member.
It is not just emotionally beneficial, it helps in a lot of other ways too. It is very economical. You can split the rent, the cost of living and other expenses. As far as big cities are concerned, most people prefer living at hostels or in rented apartments because cities have a lot of those to offer.
Even if you’re the kind of person who likes living alone, having a roommate is a different experience in itself. We definitely don’t see much of a downside to it. Let’s face it, there is no way on Earth parents will ever put up something like this or even think of allowing you to do it:
Develop a travel routine
Unlike small towns, major cities are always crowded which means, there is always traffic. Most people who relocate find it very difficult to dodge traffic thus end up being late to college or work. One of the best solutions is to obviously get a place close to your destination but more often than not, that is not possible for multiple reasons (no available apartments, the ones available are too expensive, etc).
So what can you do in a situation like this? Thank God for Google Maps! All you need to do is, put your current location, put your desired destination and Maps will show you the exact time you will take to reach there, not only time, it will also show you the shortest and fastest route. However, to be on the safe side, if you’re living in a city like Mumbai, Bangalore or Delhi, it’s best to take a buffer time of 10 minutes more than what Maps is showing. Do this and we can assure that you will not be late.
Find solace in nature
Don’t underestimate the power of nature! When everything around us is being swept up, people are hustling and bustling to live their lives, nature is the best place to get some peace of mind. City life is fast and mostly, unforgiving. People who move from small towns find it very hard to cope and adjust to the rapid pace as a result find themselves feeling homesick. The only place one can find a little peace of mind is nature. Most cities have exorbitant parks and gardens while some have large beaches. Get out of your house, take a long walk, go for a run or just go to a nearby park and read. It is instant therapy. And if you don’t believe us, you’ve got to believe Anne Frank:
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the Heavens, Nature and God.”
Become more accepting
You can’t always live in your personal bubble. You’ll meet a variety of people who will be far different than the ones you’ve lived with or grown up with. It can get tough initially but you need to accept the change and learn to find the right company. People in big cities live a very fast life which does not necessarily mean that they’re self-involved, most of the times they’re just really caught up with their own lives. This does not mean that you will never make friendships that last a lifetime, you will. You just need to be a little more adjusting and accepting of the way people are. In cities, there is no discrimination where you come from and you need to remember that. So be more accepting, don’t categorise people on the smallest of things, socialise, join different clubs like a reading club or trekking or acting, whatever suits you best. Remember what, Audre Lorde said,
Take help from locals
I’m sure you have a few friends who are locals (people who live there and have settled there). They know the place inside out since they’ve been there for a long time. Taking help from them to adjust to this new environment can be the best option for you. You can ask them to guide you through cheaper ways to sustain in the city. Ask them about cheap fruit and vegetable markets to stock your refrigerator. You can ask them to help you out with finding apartments, cheap places to eat, best hangout spots and even in finding maids or domestic help.
You can also opt for carpooling or public transportation to avoid extra travelling expenses. One other way to keep a track of and curb all your expenses is to note down all your spendings. Plan a monthly budget and try to stick to it.
Family resides in your heart
Shifting to a city is nothing new. People do it on a daily basis but not everyone moves with their entire family, most of the times, you move alone leaving your loved ones back home. It’s a very tough thing to be on your own suddenly after years of having lived with them and relying on them. But we must all know that at one point we have to break free from the sheltered and loving environment and face the world.
One way to make sure that you’re always in touch with them is to keep them updated on things as and when you get time. You can simply message them or send them photos or give them a small phone call. One more solution is, start saving money. Once you have enough money to take a round trip to your hometown, you’ll be at ease knowing that if you ever get super homesick, you can always use that money and fly back home. Remind yourself each day why you chose to relocate in the first place. Keep that goal in your mind and focus on it. Convert all your frustration about being away from the family into dedication towards your work. Think of your family visits as the reward for working hard.
We all have to one day leave our beloved hometown to someplace bigger and better for our growth. It might seem tough in the beginning, but it will only get better. Just remember one thing- change is the only constant. So welcome all those obstacles with open arms but be prepared to face them in the correct way and you’ll welcome something beautiful.
Check out what could be the challenges of shifting to a new city could be: Beware Of These Challenges When You Shift To A City
