Moving to a new city or country is always challenging. On one hand, you have to deal with activities like planning, organising, packing and unpacking, and many more, and on the other hand, you have to adapt to a new way of life. For the first part, you can rely on Movega Removals — we offer comprehensive and high-quality moving services and will support you at every stage of your relocation. And for the second part, we have written this guide. Making a new city feel like home doesn't have to be a complicated or time-consuming task. Read the article to find out how to achieve it in 30 days.
Settle into your space
Making a new city feel like home might seem difficult at first, but it’s far from impossible. During the first few days after you arrive at your new place, you’ll probably be wondering where to begin, and the idea of going out and meeting new people may seem overwhelming. We know the feeling — stress, excitement, tension, and maybe even a hint of guilt for not adjusting quickly enough, all swirl together in a spiral. Your mind jumps from one thing to another, and you ask yourself, “What should I do now?”
There’s nothing wrong with the mess around you, sleeping on an air mattress, and surviving on takeaway food. The first step is simply to send a clear message to your brain: you live here now.
Start with the basics. Set up your kitchen so you can easily make a cup of coffee or a warm breakfast. Do the same for the bathroom — toothbrushes, towels, and all other essentials should be in place. Make your bed. Sometimes, having basic routines under control is enough to calm the mind. But don’t rush to decorate your space like it’s a Pinterest photoshoot yet.
The next step is to set up your workspace if you work from home. A small desk and chair will do just fine. Given everything else you’re juggling, your professional life needs to run as smoothly as possible.
Don’t try to do everything right away — that’s a recipe for burnout. Once you've taken care of the essential aspects of your daily life, you can start focusing on the spirit of your new home. Plant lovers should find the right spots for their greenery, considering how much light each plant prefers. Get familiar with the different areas of your home and think about how to make it cosier. A few scented candles, your favourite throw blanket on the couch, and a steaming cup of tea in your favourite mug can make a huge difference in how you feel.
Last but not least, be patient. Feeling at home isn't always about how your place looks — it’s about how you feel in it.
The first few days will pass quickly, and even if you’re not fully settled yet, it’s time to start stepping outside.
Making a new city feel like home starts with getting to know your neighbourhood
No matter what errands you have to run around the city or where you work, your neighbourhood is the place where you’ll spend the most time. You could say that making a new city feel like home starts with your neighbourhood. Over time, you’ll get to know it — you’ll recognise familiar faces when you go out, exchange greetings, and no longer need to rely on Google Maps.
Take some time to explore every corner. Be curious, walk down streets you normally wouldn’t, and check out all the shops, restaurants, and landmarks. This way, you’ll start building a sense of belonging.
At this stage, your main tasks are to locate the grocery store, bakery, pharmacy, etc. These are your lifelines. While doing so, make sure to remember different landmarks that can serve as points of reference — a square, a fountain, a clock tower, a large tree, or a distinctive building.
It’s a good idea to explore at various times of the day. The vibe is different in the morning compared to the evening, and weekdays differ from weekends. The more you learn about your neighbourhood, the more you’ll love it.
Establish a daily routine
A week has already passed since you moved in, the unpacking is mostly done, and only a few small details remain. You've gotten to know your new neighbourhood and you know where to find everything you might need. So, what’s next?
It’s time to start organising everything into a routine. This way, the chaos around you will slowly turn into rhythm. You can begin with your mornings — you need something that gives you a sense of control. This could be having coffee on your balcony or in your yard, taking a short walk, or practising some yoga. On the other hand, evenings are a good time to read a favourite book or watch some TV.
If you’re working from home and have followed our advice to set up a designated workspace, make sure to stick to standard working hours. You can allow yourself some flexibility, like a longer lunch break, but maintaining a routine in this case will result in better productivity.
Weekends are the time for pizza with friends, Sunday walks in the park, or tea and cake at a cosy downtown café. These real-life activities will serve as anchors. The more you repeat them, the more you’ll start to feel the city as your true home.
Connect with locals
Usually, extroverted personalities don’t need much advice on this, but for those of us who aren't naturally inclined to talk to strangers, a few ideas might help.
A few exchanged words today could mean a good friendship tomorrow. Start small — for example, with the barista who prepares your coffee every day. Gradually, you’ll be able to build connections with many neighbours. The best part is that one of everyone's favourite topics is the place they live. So right from the beginning, you already have something in common. You can talk about things like favourite parks and cafés, where to find the best bread, and more. Locals usually love to talk about their neighbourhood. Of course, some conversations might be more awkward than others, but that shouldn’t bother you. The more you talk, the more you’ll start to feel at home.
You don’t have to limit yourself to just your neighbourhood. Another effective approach is to find like-minded people based on your interests. If you love books and reading, join a book club. You can also sign up for yoga classes, dance lessons, martial arts, and more. Consider alternatives like volunteering organisations, too. For many people, the desire to do good brings energy and meaning to life, and what better way to make a new city feel like home? Here, too, the key is consistency. You'll keep seeing the same people again and again.
You can start by joining local Facebook groups or by spending time at coworking spaces. At places like these, you’ll quickly learn about all the activities happening in the area.
Learn local transportation and shortcuts
Time is moving on, you've already accomplished a lot, but you're not quite finished yet. The next step is forgetting about Google Maps and starting to navigate the city confidently. As with anything else, you should start with the basics. You need to become very familiar with the local transportation system — think of it like a board game and study all the different ways to get around and the possible routes. Find out which bus line gets you to the city centre the fastest, when rush hours cause major traffic, where to buy tickets, and what options exist for saving money.
Drivers should learn the shortcuts that will get them to their destinations most efficiently, identify one-way streets, and find out where the best parking spots are.
For pedestrians, it’s a good idea to always choose a different route — this way, you'll discover more parts of the city. Variety keeps things interesting and prevents you from feeling trapped in a maze. Local apps for public transport schedules, scooter rentals, and more will also be helpful — make sure to research which ones are most popular.
Moving around confidently gives you a sense of control and comfort.
Host or attend a social gathering when making a new city feel like home
You're now in the home stretch. Making a new city feel like home needs one more essential step. And that is — a party!
You can start with something simpler, like inviting a neighbour over for coffee at your place or visiting that bar you spotted during your first walk around. If someone living nearby invites you to something, make sure you accept. Social gatherings, no matter how small or awkward they may feel at first, significantly help build connections and a sense of belonging. You become part of local stories, get to know inside jokes, and benefit from tips about the best restaurants or reliable handymen.
If you don’t feel ready to host just yet, that’s fine. There are plenty of other options. But if organising a housewarming party is your thing, go for it! Chances are, your new neighbours are looking forward to something exactly like that. Prepare a checklist of the necessary tasks and get to work. The most important ingredients are good food and a great mood. Plus, you might even receive some welcome gifts, which will warm up the neighbourly bonds even more.
Keep the adventure going
Our 30-day challenge has come to an end. If you’ve followed the advice in this guide, you should have achieved everything within this timeframe. Overcoming the stress of moving and adapting to your new environment is a challenging task, but it is far from impossible. Now is the time to reflect on your progress — what you have accomplished and what you need to work on. Celebrate the moment and continue the adventure. The next 30 days are even more important — they will be even better. Your new city is becoming your home.
Making a new city feel like home is one of the often-overlooked aspects of moving to a new place. Yet, it’s closely connected to one of people's greatest fears when it comes to starting a new life in a different country or city — change. By finding your way to adapt, you are taking a big step toward a better life.
For more helpful resources, check out the Movega Removals blog. And if you’re at the stage of planning your upcoming move, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via our contact form or our convenient chatbot. Movega Removals offers a full range of reliable moving services across Europe!
