Ways to Discover a City

Written by Laura Gomez. Graphic by Nicholas Latham

Coming to a new place to start a new chapter in life can be a little tough. You’re on your own and have to find ways to get to know the area so it’ll begin to feel welcoming, almost natural, to walk around and make it feel like home. In my experience, I treat these moments as opportunities to build confidence, to dive straight into the pool instead of dipping a toe in to test the water. It’s one of those fake it until you make it moments (at least for me). This mindset helps me feel more comfortable in a new place. Here are a few ways you can break the ice and start finding your rhythm in a new city:

First of all, go on a walk. Set aside some time to wander and get a little lost. Take your headphones, put on a great album and explore the main areas of the city to get a real sense of the streets. Start spotting places that could become your favorite cafés or restaurants. Don’t walk aimlessly, the goal is to get familiar with your surroundings and feel more at ease. Next, step into one of the places that caught your eye and take yourself on a solo date. Look for something you really enjoy and find the nearest spot that offers it. Who knows? It might become a regular go-to for you in this new neighborhood. 

Here are a few more solo adventures worth trying:

• Go on a food adventure. Try something new and sample popular local dishes.
• Visit a park. Relax, bring a book or a sketchbook and take time to disconnect.
• Treat yourself to something sweet. Find a bakery or ice cream shop that lifts your mood.
• Start doing your everyday tasks outside your home. Start with doing your homework at a coffee shop. 
• Go to a museum. Get inspired and embrace the creative energy around you.
• Dance, run or practice yoga with a group. Look for communities that share your interests and start making connections.

I’d say that the last one is especially important. It’s about bringing pieces of your old routine into this new environment. It helps boost your confidence, set a weekly rhythm and form bonds with people who share your passions, laying the foundation for a new community that makes you feel more grounded.

For example, I love running. So as soon as I moved I looked for a local running club that meets near my place. I started joining them every week and made it part of my routine. Through that, I’ve met people who are as active as I am, who can recommend places I’d like and who’ve become friends I now hang out with, go on walks or try new brunch spots after workouts with.

My friend, Mckenzie, on the other hand loves line dancing. As soon as she arrived in her new cit, she searched for all the bars that offered it and made a list to visit whenever she had free time. That’s how she connected with the local line dancing community and eventually started going out with new friends to check off the rest of the spots on her list.

That’s how solo adventures can turn into opportunities to make friends and settle into a new place. Feeling at home in your environment is the goal and finding your own way there is part of the journey. And if you’re not in the mood to meet new people right away, that’s totally fine too.

For instance, my friend Ana is a huge coffee fan. So instead of socializing at first, she explored all the best roasteries and cafés in town, creating her own tasting route to find her favorite spot. She even turned it into a fun social media project, involving her friends in her quest to find the best dark Americano and eventually building her own top five.

So, my best advice is to explore. Go out and immerse yourself in your new city. Take in everything it has to offer. Wander with an open mind and hold off on judgment. Let the city surprise you and, sooner than you think, you’ll find your place in it.