Relocating to a new city can be tough, especially when you have never been there before, and everything is brand-new to you: the city streets, the bus routes, the neighbors, etc.

Whether you’ve landed a new job out of state, or you are just looking for a fresh start, there are a lot of ways to familiarize yourself with a new setting.

Maps

Maps come in all shapes and sizes. From the extra-large map to the one that never seems to refold correctly to a pocket-sized pop-up, you can find them in virtually any bookstore. If you are moving to a “big name” city, look for a map that shows both necessary and extraordinary bits of information. Some maps of big cities not only show city streets and highways, but they also tell you exactly where tourist spots are located!

Let’s say you are moving to Orlando. Some maps show you the exact location of Disney World or Universal Studios right down to the cross streets. Or in Chicago, how about catching a Chicago Bulls game at the United Center? On a map, you will see that a number of Chicago expressways can be taken to this destination. All you need to do is figure out which one is closest to your house! By researching with maps, whether you want to shop at the local grocery store or visit a popular museum, you are able to figure exactly what roads you need to take to get where you want to go. And, of course, there are always online maps like Google or Mapquest.

Going urban? You’ll need to know bus and subway routes. Many city maps show bus stops and subway stops, and a lot of them are also equipped with handy subway maps on the back. You can also try searching for your new city’s transit authority on the Internet. Many cities post bus and train schedules online, and a lot of them also offer trip planners. Unlike Mapquest, where you must know the address of your destination or the name of a specific landmark, trip planners allow you the option of either typing in an address or choosing from a drop-down list of landmarks (museums, stadiums, airports, etc.)!

Search: http://www.google.com/
Keywords: <city you live in> + <transit> or <transportation>

Travel Guides

Travel Guides are a good source of historical information. Not only do you want to find out more about the entertaining spots in your new city, but you might want to know the story behind it as well. To name a few, travel books from Eyewitness Travel, Lonely Planet and Frommer’s provide excellent information about cities all over the world! Once again, remember that the Internet is your friend! Try looking for travel guides on Amazon.com.

Search: Books
Keywords: <insert city you live> + travel

Friends & Family

Some of the best advice may come from people you know. Maybe some of them have traveled to or lived in your new city. It could be possible that you have family or friends already living there! A great way to gather together and share information would be to host a party at your current home before moving.

For example, if you are moving to Atlanta, make it an Atlanta-themed party. Invite your friends and family, and tell them that the only requirement is to bring over one fun fact and one necessary bit of information about Atlanta. You might want to do a bit of research as well:

For example, did you know….. ?

• – Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton in May 1886.

Better buy some 12-packs!

With a bit of research, your party should be both fun and informative!

There are plenty of ways to obtain information about your new city and familiarize yourself with it before the big move. All you have to do is take the initiative and start researching!