Moving to Another State to Start Over

Perhaps you’re a young professional ready to move to Chicagoland to take on a new role in a downtown corporate office. You may be moving to the area to start a family or coming into the Chicagoland area from out of state for a new career. You’re worried because you don’t know anyone. Even if you have family available locally, you don’t have friends. With a few tips and strategies to help you, moving to another state to start over doesn’t have to be difficult.

How Do I Start a New Life in a New City?

When you initially move to a new city, your first thoughts are on the basics. You need to find a place to live, where the best pizza is, and how to get to work. Whether you’re making the move on your own or with your family, establishing yourself beyond this point tends to be a bit more challenging. To help you, consider a few steps to take.

Get to Know the City

Take some time to get out and about in the city. Visit a few shopping areas. Check out a few of the parks for the kids and pets. Spend some time walking the trails around your home. Getting out and into the city is a good way to start making friends.

Ask the Questions

If you’re enjoying a meal at a local restaurant and really want to know where the best place is to get to the farmer’s market or where a great yoga class is, ask the waiter or even the owner. No matter what your questions are, it doesn’t have to be hard to simply start talking to someone. Invent a question to get the conversation going.

Don’t Set a Routine Yet

As you start to explore the city and all it has to offer, don’t create a simple routine just yet. That is, choose to visit Starbucks on your way to work Monday, and then the next day, choose a different coffee shop. Go to a few different grocery stores. Hit up a few different locations to visit after work. The key here is to give a few places a try to find out where you fit in the best.

How Do Adults Make Friends in a New Area?

Getting to know the city is a lot of fun like this but making friends can seem like an impossible process. Here are a few ways you can really get a sense of success in this area.

Volunteer

As impossible as it may seem to volunteer in the city when you are brand new here, doing so is one of the best ways to meet people who share the same interests and passions you do. These are important conversations you’ll want to have. Dive in and discuss what matters to you, such as the environment, specific political movements, or even your religious beliefs. Volunteer where it feels good to you.

Going to City Sponsored Events

Whether it’s a town hall meeting or a fun festival, go to these events. It is one of the best ways to learn about the people in the city that are most passionate about it while also getting some insight into all that the city has to offer. This is a good way to meet people who may be role players in your city who can connect you.

Find Groups That Interest You

Whether you’re looking for a mommy-and-me playgroup or you want to try out Boy Scouts with your son, the key here is to find groups that offer activities and opportunities to talk to others. Join an adult softball team or a rec basketball league. You can join men’s focused groups or women’s focused groups. Find opportunities to get to know people by putting yourself in an area where you can meet them. You can call local recreation centers for ideas.

Engage at Work

If you’re a business professional, you may be tempted to make work your biggest source of friendship. That could work. There’s no reason not to be friends with someone that shares your interests that you spend 8 hours a day with throughout the week. Don’t stop there though. Talk to people at work who seem friendly about things to do in the city. Spark conversations about what you need, what your spouse needs, or what your children may benefit from in the new city. Don’t forget professional groups, too.

Find a Church That Feels Right

As you consider how to meet people in a new city, don’t overlook finding a church. Modern churches today provide an exceptional level of service to you. They can help you to feel right at home as if you have always been there. They may even provide you with a way to get involved in the community, meet people, and embrace activities that are important to you.

Take some time to check out a few different locations. At Chicago Church, you’ll find a group of people who are welcoming and passionate. You will find that we are more than willing to welcome you into our community. Check out our ministry news to get a better idea of the work we are doing within the city. Take some time to learn about what we believe and find out if that aligns with your ideas and goals. Allow us to talk to you about becoming a member.

Let Us Welcome You at Chicago Church

Finding “home” often means more than just a new house. It means finding people who are facing the same types of challenges you are and that are looking for the answers you seek. At Chicago Church, we encourage you to take the first step towards centering your life here in Chicagoland. Come and join us at one of our locations throughout the area or watch our online services. Find out how you can be a part of the community.