What to Do the First Week You Move to a New City
Moving to a new city is a chance to reinvent yourself, but before you dive into building a community or finding your new favorite hangouts, the first week is about something much simpler: setting up your daily routines. This is the foundation for your new life, and it’s essential to get it right. Here’s how to approach this pivotal settling-in period.
Unpack and Make Your Space Your Own
First things first: unpack. Don’t procrastinate on this step. Your space is your sanctuary, and you can’t fully settle into your life until your environment feels like home.
Arrange your furniture, hang up your clothes, and put out the little things that make you happy, whether that’s a cozy throw blanket or a favorite piece of art. Once your home is ready, you’re no longer just “arriving”—you’re living.
Establish Your Daily Routines
Think about what your ideal day looks like. Are you someone who loves starting the day at a coffee shop? Spend the week exploring the local options near your new place. Try a different one each morning until you find your favorite. If you prefer making your coffee at home, scout out the best grocery stores to stock your kitchen with your go-to ingredients. Take note of the best routes to get there and make it part of your routine.
Are you a gym-goer? Use this week to find a gym that fits your style, whether that’s a boutique fitness studio, a sprawling gym with all the amenities, or a local park for outdoor workouts. Invest in gym clothes that make you feel good and ready to tackle your fitness goals.
Reflect on Your Intentions
This is also a time for reflection. Ask yourself:
What do I want out of life in this new city?
Am I looking to maintain who I was before, or is this an opportunity to step into a truer version of myself?
One of the most exciting parts of moving to a new city is that no one knows who you were. You have a blank slate to build your life exactly the way you want it. This is your time to think deeply about what you value and who you want to be—and start aligning your habits and routines accordingly.
Explore and Experiment
Part of settling in is figuring out the places and activities that will define your life here. Are you someone who thrives on social interaction? Look into local coffee shops, hotel lobbies, or coworking spaces where you can work and meet new people. Prefer hobbies or sports? Research teams, book clubs, or recreational leagues in your area. You don’t have to decide everything now, but laying the groundwork is key.
Remember, you can have different people and places for different aspects of your life. A gym buddy doesn’t have to be the same person you discuss books with. The beauty of this fresh start is that you get to design your life and relationships intentionally, rather than falling into routines by default.
Commit to Ambition
For me, moving to Boston has been about stepping fully into my career ambitions. In the past, I’ve downplayed how much I cared about success, afraid it might come across as trying too hard. But here, I’m embracing my drive unapologetically. This is the time for me to focus on meeting like-minded, ambitious people and letting my goals guide me without hesitation.
The first week is about laying the groundwork for this vision. It’s about creating the environment and routines that will support my growth over the next few months. Whether it’s deciding to work from inspiring coffee shops, join a professional group, or prioritize fitness, every small choice contributes to the bigger picture.
Take Ownership of Your Life
Ultimately, this first week is about you. You get to decide how you’ll live, where you’ll go, and who you’ll become. Use this time to establish your routines and think intentionally about the life you want to build. This isn’t just about surviving the move; it’s about thriving in your new environment.
And don’t worry—there’s plenty of time to dive into community-building and making connections. For now, focus on settling into your daily life and mapping out the next chapter of your story. Reinvention starts with action, and there’s no better time to begin than now.