It’s been a while since I’ve written here, but I haven’t forgotten. To be completely honest, I have had other priorities in my life. Namely, I’ve been busy moving across the country. At the beginning of March, I received a job offer in San Diego, California. I was thrilled because I love the city and I’ve always wanted to live on the West Coast. This was my chance, and I took it.
I know I’m very lucky. San Diego isn’t the easiest place to find employment and I knew I was at a disadvantage by applying from a different city, especially when you consider I’ve been applying from 3,000 miles away in Boston. Every time I have been seeking new opportunities, I have submitted applications to companies and universities in San Diego. This time around, I was able to find a position who was interested in me. We interviewed over video chat and everything worked out. It was off to San Diego for me!
The Logistics
At first it seemed surreal. I’d thought about relocating to a warmer climate for a long time and I finally had the opportunity to do so. Then, reality hit. I would actually have to go through the process of relocating, and this part was (and continues to be) a huge pain. I had to pack up, rent movers, figure out how to move my car, find a place to live, the list goes on. Knowing this would be a huge task, I told myself I’d need to take this one step at a time. When you look at the whole list of tasks, it seems like a lot. When you take it one step at a time, but become more manageable.
This is going to be the worst part of moving, at least in my opinion. You have to do it and it costs money. Once you think you’re done, you’ll encounter more things that need to be done. After six weeks, I’m at the point where I need to find a new barber to cut my hair. Not something I thought much about prior to moving, but something I need to research now that it’s a necessity.
Building New Relationships
As I progressed through the logistic of relocating, I began to experience the excitement and nerves of making a big move. I would be 3,000 miles away from my friends and family, but I would also have the opportunity to meet new people. This can be a challenge for many people, myself included, but I also tried to focus on all of the ways I’d be able to build new relationships. I got really lucky, I chose to have a roommate and he’s been very helpful and willing to show me around the city. We’re also lucky to live in a time when contacting people across the country is easier than ever. Whether through Skype, Facebook, e-mail, or just a phone call, I have been able to stay in touch.
My best advice here is to fill your time. Find placed you want to go and activities you want to do. Be outgoing, and you’ll start to meet people. Usually, you are not alone in this process so it is likely there are other people who are also looking to make new friends in the new city. MeetUp.com is a great resource if you’re looking for those people, and I know Facebook should also have groups.
Adjusting to New Routines
For me, this wasn’t too difficult. However, it wasn’t completely easy. My new job is similar to my old job, making my work transition a little easier. The commute is shorter and the hours a similar. Others may not be so lucky and new routines can be a struggle on top of a challenging move.
Some people may enjoy the adventure of a new routine but I also like having structure in my life. If you’re like me, finding that structure may be source of frustration. Preparation is the key here and allowing myself additional time to make mistakes allowed me to build structure. I’ve also been very open about my desire to build structure and people are willing to give suggestions. Most people want to be helpful, and these little tidbits of advice have given me options when building a new routine.
Moving Forward
I’ve made it this far, and I’ve been very fortunate to have had a lot of fun in the process. I’m grateful I have overcome a lot of the pre-move nerves and have some structure built. I know I am going to have more struggles along the way, but once you begin the transition your nerves will be met with excitement. The more benefits you see from the move, you’ll be more excited to move forward. I will keep up updated with the next steps on my journey, and I look forward to the next adventures.
