The following scenario can happen to anyone who makes a move from one city to another due to a job change, pursuit of a new career or desire for a fresh start. What happens when you make a major move from a place where you have family, a close circle of friends and a sense of normalcy, to a place where you have to operate independently because no family is nearby and all friends are out of state? How do you make the adjustment to a large city like Atlanta, Chicago, New York or LA when you pretty much have to start all over? This is a scenario submitted to me by one of my blog readers. I would like to solicit feedback from those who have gone through a similar experience. Please provide your comments and recommendations.
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3 comments:
First of all I know it helps to first give God praise for the new opportunity and ask Him for guidance as you forge ahead in new territory. Second, be yourself & show yourself friendly in order to make new friends. Get connected with a church fellowship as soon as you can. It is dangerous to be without covering,esp in a new place. I'm the youngest in my family and it was a little scary at first leaving my family and friends behind,but I have an adventurous spirit! I saw the move as an opportunity to spread my wings and grow even more. It is also great to get to know your surroundings during your down time, discover new and creative outlets and activities in the new place that you didn't do in your former city. Before you know it, you will have carved out a place of your own in a new city! Life is an awesome adventure with Christ as your tour guide! Enjoy the ride! KG
When I moved from one city to another I first found a church home. Then I wanted a beautician so I found someone in my workplace whose hair looked healthy and well cared for so I struck up a conversation. With that I found a beautician and met my first friend. She began to tell me about places unique to the city that you don't find on the internet. The snowball effect happened and I met a couple of more friends through this friend. I also went to the area hotels and picked up some brochures and the Where magazine (The one that tells you what to do and where to go in a particular city.) Sometimes in those brochures you find discount coupons to the area attractions. You have to ask the hotel staff if you can have them but most times they are pretty friendly about it. So on my off days I called them my exploratory days and I would just pack up my car visit the museums, local festivals, bookstores basically anything of local interest. I tried to get lost for hours so I could find the nearest hospital, Wally World (Wal-Mart), grocery store things I needed or might need for everyday living. Hope that helps.
For me, my moves were easy. I left home to move to 4 states away from all of my family and friends to take my first real job out of college. I didn't really know anybody there, but I saw it as a chance to spread my wings and leave all negativity behind. It would not have been good for me to remain in my hometown because most of my family/friends were (and still is) content with the status quo of the area: find somebody to hook up with, shack up & have babies (can switch order), and maybe one day get married - in that order!!). I didn't immediately find my church home there. It took time for me to realize that I NEEDED that anchor to keep me in line.
I didn't immediately learn my lesson because when I moved to Atlanta 3 years later (again with no family and friends nearby), it took me a few years to find the one place where I was fed spiritually and where I am held accountable for my actions. I visited several other churches originally but the lack of a good shepherd and a poor prayer life kept me from being too serious about it because I was content with my lifestyle at the time. It wasn't until God started pulling me back (or rather I started noticing the pull that never left) when I started noticing I needed to straighten up and get back in line. I could enjoy my new city while still being obedient too!
I'm sort of a loner at times, so the moves didn't bother me. I obtain associates easily because I can also be outgoing, so my transition was swift both times. When I felt like I needed that familiar voice or face, I picked up the phone or logged into Myspace. I have no problem going out alone, so that helped too. I'm a strong believer as well in "getting lost" in the city to find new places, alternate routes because the TRAFFIC is crazy at times. I'd suggest joining the email lists of some of the popular spots around town because you get regular updates on happenings around the city. I'd also suggest socializing with people in your current status; i.e. single and with/without kids. A single person without kids probably won't get too many good ideas of things to do on the weekend from a person that's married several years with kids . . . most of the places those people suggested when I first moved here were shut down or were relocated to another side of town. LOL!
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