You’ve still got a lot of time until graduation if you’re in your final year of college, but it’s never too early to start planning what you want to do and where you want to go afterward. Of course, there’s a good chance that your career path will end up taking you to Pittsburgh or possibly even a larger city. If that ends up being the case, this guide on what to know before moving to the big city on your own is here to help you out.
Learn More About the Cities You’re Interested In
Whether you’re married to the idea of moving to one particular city or torn between a few possibilities, the best thing you can do is learn everything you can about what makes them unique. Figure out what housing is like and what kinds of arts and entertainment they have for you to enjoy.
Most importantly, though, figure out what the general cost of living is in that city. If your career path isn’t going to make you enough money to live there comfortably, you might want to start looking into other places.
Find a Job Before You Move
As long as you plan ahead, finding a job before you move shouldn’t be an issue. However, things don’t always go according to plan. It might come time to move, and you don’t have a job in your field lined up quite yet—that’s okay. All you need to do is find a supplemental job until you land that dream position.
A job that pays you in tips is a great way to make a good amount of money in the short term without waiting for a raise. As long as you spend your time off work applying for positions and attending interviews, you should be able to sustain yourself in your new city.
Accept That Your First Apartment Won’t Be Great
Many college graduates move to cities expecting their apartments to be as nice as the ones they lived in on campus. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case, especially in some of the most populated ones. For the same price you paid for your lovely two-bedroom college apartment, you’ll probably get a dingy little studio apartment in the city.
Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. There are plenty of ways to make your studio apartment work for you. Also, keep in mind that any money you save now, you can put toward a much better place a year or two down the line.
Get Used to the Idea of Public Transportation
The final thing you’ll want to know before moving to the big city on your own is that you’ll probably be better off without your car. Even if you have the money to park it somewhere that you can get to easily, you probably wouldn’t be able to afford the gas and parking prices for driving it around regularly.
That’s why public transportation is going to be your best friend. It might be a little inconvenient at times, but it will be much easier on your wallet in the long run.
