Big commercial cities have a reputation for being very harsh and terribly hard to adapt to their fast pace which they function on, rightly so too.
Living in the big city, whether it’s Lagos or London or even Cape Town, can be daunting especially if you’re a woman moving there for the first time with no family that resides within the city. So it goes without saying that this means you’ll have to be making a lot of new changes and adapting to ‘adulting’ in a big city. It’s considerably different in comparison to the laid back and relaxed cities on the outskirts on states and countries you may be used to.
1. Public transport
This is one of the most important things to learn about when you move to a big city. If you can, before moving make it a point to know about the transport system and what will be the easiest way for you to commute. Also, knowing the routes that your buses, taxi’s or trains ply helps give you an idea on the best way to move around your new home.
It also helps if in your spare time you do a little bit of wandering around your city, you might get lost a few times but you’ll definitely learn how not to get lost next time. Don’t be afraid to ask either!
2. Housing
Accommodation can be one of the biggest struggles you’ll have especially in a big city which is known for having a high influx of people arriving daily and an already dense population. It’s very easy to fall victim to people looking to taking advantage of the fact that you urgently need a place to rent and attempt to swindle you of your money.
Your best bet if to try online platforms that are specifically dedicated to providing house agents with a space to advertise their various places available for renting, their prices and locations too. Not only does it reduce the amount of stress that comes with finding an agent but it also means you get an idea of what to expect before you actually get to see it.
3. Friends
If you want to search for friends from the comfort of your home, apps are a wondrous thing. Also, in your day-to-day life, try to be open to people, regardless of what you’re doing. Talk in places you may not usually do so, and don’t shut people out if they seem like they want to strike up a conversation. Of course, this can be difficult if you are super introverted, but if you want to talk and meet new people, definitely do so.
4. Places to go
Google Maps is a great place to start. If you you properly use the features for searching for cafes, museums and even places to do your laundry. Although Google Maps is a great invention, as with all technology, it does neglect a few of the smaller places. You might stumble on somewhere cool but again, doing research on local blogs and websites that keep up with events going on is a great way to stay up to date.
