survival tips for moving to a big city for the first time

districts and systems around the country. Before you start piling up statistics though, this old
op-ed in the Washington Post, although some of its information is specific to DC residents, is
worth a read—it'll calm your nerves and help you focus on what's really important when
picking a school system, especially since the competitive rush for exclusive private and
charter schools can get out of hand in some cities.
Learn about the Local Culture
Finally, once you have the details you need to decide whether a neighborhood sounds like a
good one, take a step further and really dig into the local culture, attractions, and atmosphere.
City-Data's forums are perfect for this, because you can probably find someone who's local to
where you'd like to live to speak with directly. Look at the city from this perspective: If you
moved there, what would you do for fun? The answer doesn't have to involve the city's
famous destinations or popular locales (although it certainly should—if you're moving to a
new city, we have plenty of tips to help you get the lay of the land once you're there), but it
should also involve your own interests and passions. If you're a movie buff, look for movie
theaters close to your preferred neighborhood, and check out which movie theaters are the
most popular and well loved by local movie fans.
Ask yourself what the city is known for, cuisine-wise, and check Foursquare, Yelp, and
Google Local for reviews and recommendations. Then think about your favorite foods, and
check out where you can get them near your future home. If you're a big fan of Japanese
food, make sure you can find a decent restaurant somewhere nearby. If you find a half dozen
and a couple of ramen shops to boot, you're in great shape. Repeat the process with your
other interests, whether it's live music, nightlife, museums, even local festivals and block
parties. Some neighborhoods even have their own Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and
websites designed to alert locals to events happening in their backyard. Pretend it's your
backyard too, at least for the time being. Before long, you'll feel like a local.
b) Get a job fast
When you’ve decided you want to move to a new city, or you’re relocating for other reasons,
it can be a challenge to figure out the best strategy for finding a new position. Should you
move first? Or, should you try to line up a new job and then relocate? What's the best way to
get hired when you're here and the jobs are there?
How to Decide When to Start a Job Search
There isn’t one answer to the question of when you should start job hunting if you want or
need to move. One of the biggest factors to consider is your finances. Can you afford to go
without a paycheck, pay for health insurance, and cover relocation expenses? If you have