Everything you didn’t know when moving to a big city.
By Hannah Jarosch
Big cities are filled with big opportunities. That is what fueled my hunger to move away from my hometown with a population of 17,000. What I didn’t consider is how big an adjustment it would be.
When I was 16, my friend and I took a trip to New York City for our birthdays. This was the first time I experienced the true hustle and bustle of city life, an energy that I only knew from books and movies. It was the first time I had experienced a culture that didn’t include farms, cows and endless fields of corn. I fell in love with the skyline, the endless shops and restaurants, the subway and all the distinctive personalities.
After graduating high school and an initial decision to attend a local college with my friends for one semester, I knew I couldn’t avoid the big city any longer. So I transferred to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
When I first moved to Minneapolis, I took in the city with eagerness and excitement. I thought of it as my playground. Endless things to see and do, people to meet, and most importantly, other places to work that weren’t the local Culver’s every teen worked at in my hometown.
But, I quickly realized there’s a lot they don’t tell you when moving from a small town.
One is that a car is not necessary. Sure, the ability to drive anywhere at any time is nice, but it has become more of a hassle than a luxury. Finding a parking spot is difficult. I’ve also never been awarded a prize for my exceptional parallel parking skills, which is required when parking in the city. Parking is rarely free. Don’t learn that the hard way or you’ll end up with a ridiculous amount of parking tickets like I did.
Living spaces are cramped. I went from an average-size house, with a decent-size closet, a bathroom to myself, and a big and beautiful backyard to the complete opposite. I had to throw away half of my wardrobe to avoid overfilling my new closet.
Sharing a bathroom is the norm, as well as not showering or using the toilet at your leisure. I also never thought using an elevator would become a part of my daily routine. With the traffic and the problems parking, it often takes far more time to get places.
Public transportation is what saved me. Metro Transit offers an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains as well as resources for those who carpool, walk or bike. According to Study Minnesota, Metro Transit stands as one of the country’s largest transit systems, with over 250,000 customers boarding Metro Transit buses and trains daily.
Safety is sometimes a concern. Solo traveling can lead to uncomfortable encounters, especially as a young woman. But those can toughen up my skin and embrace my ability to strengthen my sensitivity. After getting used to it, I sometimes find the comments as a little comic relief to my day.
What I have found is that I walk more and therefore exercise more. And even though prices can be higher, I’ve learned to take a serious look at my budget. I’ve learned to seek out thrift stores, small businesses, or restaurants in my neighborhood.
Yes, it can be tough to adjust to a new life without a built-in support system, with friends, family and familiar faces to rely on. The good news? Living in a big city means there are tons of people and ample opportunities to make new friends and try new things.
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