As an incoming transfer student to Emerson College, I can’t help but think about what moving to Boston is going to be like. Will I make friends? How’s this city’s environment and culture? What does this city have to offer? Moving to a brand new city can be incredibly daunting. I lived in Philadelphia for the past five years, and I still don’t know if I ever would’ve/could’ve called that city “home.” Moving to Boston, I don’t want to make those same mistakes. So from someone who has done it before and is doing it again, here are six valuable tips to make an adjustment to a new city more fulfilling and easy.
1. Eat, or at least try, all of the local food options.
Food is an incredibly important aspect of a city’s culture. Philadelphia, for example, was famous and prideful for their cheesesteak sandwiches; you simply cannot go into the city of Philadelphia without chomping down a cheesesteak from Pat’s or Geno’s. When I move to Boston, I plan on indulging in seafood and baked beans for a couple reasons. Even though I’m not a huge fan of seafood or baked beans, both are huge staples in Boston. It’s important to try a wide variety of the local food options in your new city, so you can get a taste of what the city really has to offer and really educate yourself on the area’s cuisine.
2. Experience the nightlife.
Just as important as trying all the local food options in a new city, experiencing the night life a city has to offer is also just as important. You see a different side and perspective of a city throughout the day than you might at night, which cannot only enhance and strengthen your social life but also provide the opportunity to familiarize yourself with all facets of your new city. If you’re old enough, try out different bars and see which establishments you vibe with most or which bar has a killer drink night special that drags in a cool crowd. Regardless of your age, go out dancing at a club or attend a local concert venue/show. Great music never hurt anybody.
3. Educate yourself about the city through sports, arts, and history.
Go to a museum to learn about the historical significance of the city that you’ve just moved to. Educate yourself on what your city has contributed to the state, country or history, and consider recent happenings that have occurred to give you even more of an understanding. I haven’t moved to Boston yet, but considering the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, I can sense and appreciate the strength and unity of the city I’m moving to. Visit different landmarks within the city. Treat yourself to local concerts to fully grasp the sound of the city. Staying current with the national teams of your city can only aid you in conversations. Take it even further and go to sporting events. Watching the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Carolina Panthers in their home stadium truly exposed me to the fandom associated with the Eagles, even though I’m forever a New England Patriots fan. In Boston, I plan on going to a baseball game at Fenway (even though I don’t follow the sport) because its something that must be checked off the “Living in Boston Bucket List” just to say I did it.
4. Embrace the public transportation system.
This piece of advice is somewhat contingent on what city you are moving to. One of the reasons why I didn’t enjoy Philadelphia as much as I could’ve was because I felt like I couldn’t get around without a car, which was just completely untrue. I was extremely turned off by the public transportation system, even though it was reliable enough and safe enough. In Boston, I don’t plan on having Old Red (my 2003 Chevy Malibu) with me, and I’m very scared but excited to adopt the public transportation system. Riding the T seems convenient and safe, and as long as I get to where I need to go, there won’t be any problems. Being in a new city but feeling stuck in a “five-block radius” does not bode well for anybody, especially when the entire city is your playground.
5. Explore as much as you can.
Get lost. It’s the only way to force yourself to learn your new surroundings. Walk around. Take a street or sidewalk you’ve never taken before. Learn about the different neighborhoods. Explore the different neighborhoods, within reason. Travel the highways and develop/grasp your sense of direction in this new city. Learn all of the secrets to your new city; get a gauge on local behaviors regarding certain things like driving (if you have a car) or hours of operations for businesses.
6. Engage!
You cannot heed any of this advice without engaging. Talk to strangers and locals, within reason. Learn the different ways that people communicate in your city, or learn about what’s most important to the citizens of the city. Look all around you: up, down, left, right. Embrace all the architecture. Don’t allow yourself to be afraid to be vulnerable, or to open up. Don’t allow yourself to feel pressure that this city may not be the city for you. Nobody is forcing you to stay somewhere you don’t want to stay, but give it a chance first. I didn’t allow myself to give Philadelphia much of a chance because I was too busy nit-picking and finding reasons to hate the city, but I won’t be doing that with Boston.
Have an open mind, and enjoy the ride.
