Moving to a new city can be daunting, especially if it is a lot bigger than where you are from. I should know, I moved to Chicago from the NW suburbs back in '95. I was lucky enough to be close to home where I could travel back if I really needed to, but mostly even though it was a lot to get accustomed to for the first couple of years I relied heavily on the support of friends via e-mails, letters / cards and phone calls when I could afford to. I was dedicated to making the big city experience work. It didn't help that every couple of years or so I moved to a new part of the city, I'd get to know one area and as soon as it seemed like I had the social situation down it was time to move again.

The first suggestion I have for people moving from a small city or suburb to the big city is to find shared living accommodations. Roommates, especially if they're just moving to the city, too, are an excellent source of companionship: A roommate can pal around with you on an odd night, be that wing man (or woman,) and check out the sights. If your roommate is from the city or has lived here for awhile they have the extra added bonus, (if they're nice,) of being a tour guide and showing you some of the “spots.” Also, they are likely to have some friends themselves who you can meet and greet, hang out with on a night where you are all just sitting around the living room eating pizza and watching television. Having a place to be and people to share it with is key to big city survival.

If sitting around the living room watching television isn't exactly your cup of tea, one of the fantastic things about living in a big city is that there is always something going on, something to do, see, hear, smell and eat. Even if you're on a budget, there are always at least a few things going on near you that take little to no money. Most big cities have a free weekly paper. These newspapers will basically be your life line to just about everything going on in your city. Need a roommate? Check the weekly. Need a job? The weekly. Need to find a country music venue for this Saturday night? You got it, you'll check your weekly. Many will have listings for things to do under the heading of “Free Around the City,” too.

Another great way to meet new people with interests you share is to take a class at your local community college. If your really bold you could try taking classes where you will be paired with a partner on a regular basis like dancing, martial arts or fencing... Check out something you've always wanted to do or something you're already into, either way you're sure to meet some new people and have some fun. The free local weekly newspaper in many big cities can come in handy here, too. In the ads they'll often have places offering classes or instruction, (make sure you're in a class setting for maximum exposure to new people,) they'll also have a quarterly listing of classes offered by local colleges.

Get a job. Okay, so you probably moved here with one, but especially if you're thinking about picking up a second job, (part-time,) you can be socially conscious of this aspect of your life, too. Pick up some hours over the weekend at a local bookshop or coffee joint. You'll meet people from your neighborhood and learn more about where you're living in a week than you would hanging around your place just reading the free weekly for a year. (Though you still learn quite a lot that way, too.)

Go someplace new. Sure, it's not an easy sell making new friends hanging out at the local library or a nearby museum, but it sure beats the heck out of staring at four blank walls. Hang out at places around your part of the neighborhood or make a day of checking out one of the nearby neighborhoods. Pick an interest and Google it with the neighborhood name and see if there's anything going on that day. Find a local coffee shop or bar that you feel comfortable hanging out in and spend the day just soaking up the local flavor. Talk to people, tell them you are new to the neighborhood and wanted to know where the best thai place is, or the local laundromat... It doesn't really mater what it is just as long as you go out there and try it out!

Take the time to pamper yourself a little bit with a jumbo sized ice cream cone, a mini spa day, a back massage or pedicure / manicure. Give yourself some time to adjust, but keep going out there and meeting new people. It'll be hard at first, but you'll eventually meet someone or a group of someone's that you can click with. Until you do, enjoy all the benefits of living in a big city, it might be a little more lonely than what you are used to, but it's definitely entertaining!