7 Tips for Moving to a City After Living in a Small Town

By Mya Burns

After living in Erie, PA my entire life, moving to Pittsburgh was a big adjustment for me. Although Erie isn’t that small, and Pittsburgh isn’t that large compared to other cities, they felt like different worlds coming from a community where everyone knew each other. My first year in Pittsburgh, I wanted to leave so badly because it was such a culture shock for me. However, I found some ways to cope and now I love it here. Here are some tips on how to get over the transition between a small town and a big city.

1. Find places to get away from the hustle and bustle

When I first got to Pittsburgh, I was overwhelmed by the noise. There were so many people, so much traffic, and even more noise. It was very different from what I was used to at home and it really overwhelmed me and stressed me out. However, once I started to find places outside of downtown Pittsburgh that were a little more quiet and had some trees and smaller streets, I was finally able to relax. Finding places where you can get away from the busyness of the city will help you unwind when you need it.

2. Stay in touch with things you loved from your hometown...

I know one of the hardest things to adjust to when I was moving from Erie to Pittsburgh was leaving my family. I loved spending time with my parents and extended family, as well as my friends from high school. I also was going to miss the atmosphere of Erie; I loved driving around the lake with my friends and all of the small local businesses that made Erie so unique. It was hard to find those things in Pittsburgh until I made a conscious effort to. Now I have good friends here, I walk to the Point to be near the water, and I’ve found small shops that make me feel at home. Whatever those things are in your hometown, like art spaces, parks, gyms, or even certain kinds of restaurants, try to find similar things in your new home.

3. ...And also find the things that are different that make you love this new place more

Once I felt a little more comfortable in my new city, I was able to explore and find small things about Pittsburgh that made it unique and won my heart. I love the art scene in Pittsburgh and the public artwork scattered on unassuming side streets make every walk interesting. After you get a little more adjusted, find some things that align with your interests. Some of those things might be public concerts, historical sites, or sports stadiums.

4. Take time to recharge

Getting used to an entirely new place can not only be scary, but it can be exhausting. If you don’t give your mind time to process everything that’s happening, you can burn out really fast. Schedule time for yourself in your schedule to hide away from the world and do something peaceful that lets your brain slow down. That way, you’ll have time to physically recharge, and you’ll give your brain some time to chill out in the process.

5. Talk to locals about places they love

It might sound cliche, but people that have lived somewhere for their entire life usually know great places to eat and visit that you wouldn’t think to go. I’ve found some great places that I visit regularly from talking to people from the area. Don’t discount tourist attractions; sometimes the most popular places are popular for a reason. But finding hidden gems can endear you to a city while getting you away from the crowds.

6. Ask for help

Sometimes it’s hard to adjust to big life changes on your own. If you feel like you need outside help to process the change or find ways to get through it, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Ask a friend, family member, or set up counseling. Having someone to talk to and genuinely listen to you is priceless, and it’ll feel really good to get your feelings out of your head and into the world. Maybe the person that you talk to will have gone through the same thing, and you won’t feel as alone.

7. Give it a chance

When you’re put out of your comfort zone, your first instinct may be to get out of that situation as soon as you can. It’s very tempting to retreat back to the comfort of your hometown, especially if you had a good experience there. But give your new location a chance before you quit. Try to explore other neighborhoods and find places you love using the tips above, and maybe you’ll find that you love it. Getting new experiences in other places will open up your worldview and you’ll learn about another place. Even if it truly ends up not being for you and you find a different place that’s more suited to your preferences, you’ll come away from your time in the big city with a wider scope on the world around you.