Moving to a New City in Your 30s | 9 Tips + FULL Checklist!
Moving away doesn’t have to be stressful. Let us make your life easier with our helpful tips and PDF checklist to take with you.
Looking to start fresh by moving to a new city in your 30s? You’re in the right place!
I’ve moved SO many times (coming up to move number 37 in August) so I’ve got all the best tips for you to make the most of your fresh start.
Most importantly, I’ve moved to 3 different countries and a ton of new cities, so I’m a total pro. I’ve got you!
By the end, you’ll be super confident and ready to start your new journey 🦾
1. Pick your neighborhood wisely
When I moved to Beirut, I chose Geitawi as my place, and it was the best choice I ever made. My husband looks pretty happy, too!
Getting started in a whole new city can feel really overwhelming. Choosing which city or region to live in is one thing, but choosing the neighborhood is arguably even more important!
Every neighborhood is totally different. Each one has its own vibe, character, and set of values – and if you want to live somewhere you can be a part of, choosing the one that fits you best is essential.
In short? Do your research! Do a rundown of all the areas in your new city and make as many lists as you need. Once you’ve found your new apartment in your favorite place, you’ll feel more confident about starting over in your 30s.
Don’t forget that the moving process will need to be planned properly – hiring movers and a moving truck packing supplies, cost of living, what date you’re moving, new utility companies in your new area.
PRO TIP: Moving for a new job or going to college? Research commute time before deciding on an area!
2. Establish a good routine quickly
If you’re moving to a new city alone in your 20s or 30s, getting your routine down quickly should be one of your first priorities.
Nobody’s saying you have to transfer your old routine into your new life!
Best thing to do? Start treating your new city like your home as soon as possible. That can even be the very first day!
Wake up, have coffee, do yoga, work, go out for lunch, etc etc etc. The quicker you treat the place like home, the better, and a healthy routine will keep your confidence up and your mental health thriving.
Scared of moving to a new city? That’s ok! Moving can be super stressful, but thankfully, routines are there to save the day. Studies suggest that having a predictable daily routine can help your body manage stress better. Win!
If you’re working from home, don’t forget to check out my ultimate list of work from home tips from a WFH pro!
3. Embrace the ups & downs
This is me embracing the ups and downs – with wine! Finding ways to cope with a total change in your life is essential. Try to find healthy coping mechanisms and enjoy the journey!
Restarting life at 30 (or any age, to be honest) is going to be a whirlwind of emotions, no matter where you are in the process.
Before you leave, you’ll probably be romanticizing your next step in life, but once you’re there, try to come down to reality. Trust me – it will help you in the down moments!
Remember, just because you’re living a whole new life, it doesn’t mean life will be all rainbows and butterflies. But that’s the beauty of it all! Enjoy the process and take one step at a time.
Check out this list of all the fun (and crazy) things I learned in my 20s!
4. Learn the language
If you’re moving to a country or state that speaks your language, you can ignore this one!
If you’re moving to a country where the language is, quite literally, foreign to you, making the effort to learn it is going to make your move SO much easier!
To this day, my Arabic isn’t amazing. I struggled with it a lot over the years (like many people do) but I always knew enough to get by. I can communicate in the grocery store, chat to taxi drivers, understand most of what was going on around me – and this was a game changer!
Even if the language is tough to learn, do make an effort.
I highly recommend trying out a platform like Mondly to make the process easier! When it comes to learning, you’re not on your own; the internet is a goldmine, and Mondly is one of the best platforms you can use to speed up your learning experience!
Get 20% off Mondly for an entire YEAR with this link!
5. Make time for self-care
Me practicing some self-care post-COVID! I’m not usually one to get pedicures, but this one was a game changer. Self-care done! 💃
I really hope you’re making time for self-care before you move to a new city and start over, but it’s never too late to start!
Self-care doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone.
For some, it might mean taking a quiet moment to read in the morning. For others, it means going to the gym. And sometimes, it might just mean getting your hair done and doing something for yourself.
Whatever it is, don’t forget that in the madness of moving to a new city, getting yourself back down to earth sometimes means shutting it all out and doing things for you. Don’t neglect yourself!
6. Get involved with local groups
My gals! Moving somewhere new means you need people more than ever. Don’t lose sight of that, even if you’re moving solo!
Moving away from your hometown in your 30s (or any age, for that matter) can be super scary. It’s a life-changing event, and moving away from your friends, family, and all that feels familiar is a big step.
You might also feel a bit lonely in the beginning. That’s normal, but it’s why you should get out there and meet new people! Getting a support group around you will make moving a lot less stressful.
You’ll miss your people back home, but meeting new people can bring a whole new perspective into your life.
So, how do you do that? Well, don’t just trawl bars searching for like-minded souls – do these instead:
- Look for local fitness groups – make new friends through yoga, pilates, running groups, or other activities
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors – it’s a great start to feeling like home!
- Volunteer with local organizations – do some good in your new town, you’ll probably meet people along the way!
- Read local bulletin boards – a great spot to see what’s going on in town so you can participate in community events
- Rent a shared apartment – not for everyone, but it’s a guaranteed way to meet people!
- Join language groups – learn the new language and meet people to practice with
- Explore farmers markets – chatting with vendors is a great way to get a feel for a new place!
You’ll probably need a new phone contract so you can communicate with all the fun new friends you’ll be making. I highly recommend Airalo to start you off!
Airalo is basically an e-sim you can register from anywhere – and I mean anywhere! It’s pretty cheap and will get you going while you organize all your long-term providers.
7. Say YES to new experiences
It goes without saying that there are some things you should probably say no to, but for all those new and positive experiences, saying a big, fat YES is the best way to throw yourself in the deep end of your new city.
So, what does that mean exactly?
It means say yes if your neighbor invites you over for dinner. Say yes to that community Bingo night! Go to a salsa dancing class just because your coworker has no-one to go with.
Just say YES!
Studies have suggested that saying yes to new experiences might actually help your mental wellbeing! It fosters a greater level of confidence, helps you to overcome imposter syndrome, and keeps your brain focused on the positive.
Looking for new things to experience? Check out this epic list of unusual places to visit in the UK from a local!
8. Stay in touch with the people you leave behind
Moving somewhere new does mean leaving an old life behind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your old friends and folks close.
You’ll meet new people and life will go on – but a call back home can bring you back down to earth. Those old friendships and relationships will reach new depths and you’ll have the privilege of being surrounded by people in your new home and your old home.
BUT – I know how hard some people find it to keep in touch with people. I’m one of them!
Replying to messages all the time isn’t exactly my forte. And I’m still working on that! But do your very best and try to meet people halfway.
Check out this Reddit page for a few tips from real people on keeping in touch with friends!
9. Give it time!
This one is easier said than done, to be honest.
Giving yourself time to settle in is hard, especially if you’re impatient or have unrealistic expectations about your new life.
The most important thing during this process? Be kind to yourself. Don’t expect miracles right away. And look after yourself!
Your 30s is the best decade EVER. Embrace the journey and give yourself time to adapt to all the new things you’ll be encountering!
BONUS: Checklist for moving to a new city
You know I couldn’t leave you guys without a super useful checklist!
I decided to save you time and give you a whole list of all the practical stuff you need to do before and during your move.
I know, I’m amazing.
Here’s your checklist to make your move as stress-free as possible. Feel free to print it out 😇
BONUS 2: Best apps for making friends in a new city
I totally get it, it can be super nerve wracking to make friends and new connections in a new city. Plus, everything seems to be digital nowadays!
The best apps for making friends in a new city, no matter where you are, are Meetup and Bumble BFF!
So here’s a quick list of the best apps for making friends in a new city, one for each continent!
- Europe – ZINGR & Couchsurfing
- USA – Yubo
- UK – Meetup
- Asia – Meetup
- Australia – Nextdoor
- Middle East – LoveHabibi + Meetup
FAQs about moving to a new city in your 30s
🌆 Is 30 too late to move to a new city?
No! It’s NEVER too late to start over. As someone who has started over dozens of times, I can vouch for that. Plus if you’re older, starting over feels even better!
👵🏼 Is 30 too old to move to NYC?
No – 30 is not too old to move to NYC. Although New York City might seem like a young people paradise, I promise you’ll find your people in your 30s and beyond in the city.
🚖 Is it worth it to move to a new city?
Yes! It’s totally worth it for the new experiences, personal growth, and epic adventures. Moving to a new city is hectic, fun, scary, but amazing – and the things you learn along the way will make you a better person.
🗽 How does moving to a new city change you?
Moving to a new city gives you the chance to widen your social circle, build new skills, network, and gain more confidence along the way. You’ll open up more opportunities for yourself that you never knew existed!
Conclusion
So there you have it! Now you know everything about moving to a new city in your 30s. I hope you’re feeling more confident now!
Leave me a comment if you have any questions at all 🙂I’m a total moving pro, so I’m happy to help you out!
The world is a big place. Move as much as you can, and enjoy the ride.
Stay organized!
Lizzie
