I used to live in Medford, just down the street from Sci-Tech. I walked
up Boston Ave. every morning and enjoyed about a gazillion lattés
from Brown and Brew. In 2011, though, my husband and I made the decision to
relocate to Kansas City so that he could take a new job. That’s right – Kansas.
The Sunflower State. Land of cows, wheat and The Wizard of Oz. Your friends at Google maps will tell you that
it’s about 1400 miles away from Medford.
Kansas City?!? When I told people I was
moving, many thought I meant somewhere nearby – perhaps New Hampshire or
Western Mass. Kansas was a different ballgame altogether. One of my favorite
Tufts seniors referred to it (with equal parts awe and trepidation) as THE MIDDLE. I had to laugh even as I
conjured a disconcerting image of tumbleweeds rolling through a vast expanse of
nothingness.
Well, I’ve been here for 4+ years now, and I’m pleased to report that
there’s more to Kansas than livestock and cackling crones trying to swipe your
sparkly shoes. Whew!
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| source: screeninsults.com |
That being said, I’ll be the first to admit that moving to a new city
is intimidating. Whether you’re going to grad school or starting a job, still
considering locations or finalizing your plans, let’s talk about how you can
make the relocation process less like this …
and more like this.
Lions and tigers and bears! Oh,
my!
Even if you’re excited about the challenge and looking forward to your
move, it’s okay to acknowledge other emotions like nervousness or fear of loneliness.
Consider asking yourself:
Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas [Medford] anymore.
- When have I experienced similar feelings and how did I manage those situations? Coping mechanisms could include exercising to clear your head, talking to a trusted friend, or making a list of worries to help you define what is/isn’t in your control.
- What can I do to prepare so that I won’t feel overwhelmed? Make a week-by-week calendar of to-do’s (see below for a sample timeline). Scheduling the tasks will help you stay on track and keep things from building up.
Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas [Medford] anymore.
Before you move, take a test drive. Visit your new city (and
neighborhood, if possible) to get the lay of the land. Think about ways you can
acclimate, both before and after you move.
- Tap into your network. Who do you know who’s already living there? Reach out to those people for insider info. If you can’t think of anyone, ask your family and friends for referrals. Post something on Facebook asking for tips on fun things to do, good restaurants, etc.
- Be a tourist. It might seem cheesy, but go ahead and do all the things that one-time visitors do. Tour landmarks, have a cup of coffee in the trendy café, check out the birthplace of famous Mr. So-and-So. Every city – big or small – has its points of interest, and chances are you’ll feel more ‘at home’ if you possess this background knowledge.
- Find an activity. Join a kickball team, book club, running group – whatever sparks your interest! In addition to making friends in grad school or at work, there are tons of groups on Meetup.com. Volunteering is also a great way to get to know your community; you can research opportunities on sites like VolunteerMatch.org or idealist.org. Just remember: Don’t overcommit, especially when you’re busy adjusting to a job or grad program. Choose a degree of involvement that matches your comfort level and availability.
Follow the yellow brick road.
There’s a reason you selected (or are leaning toward) this location, so trust your instincts. No, you can’t be certain that you’ll love the destination; sometimes these decisions require a little faith. (Remember Dorothy & Co. taking a chance on their golden highway!) But by the same token, if your gut is telling you that this really isn’t what you want, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate your choice. A career advisor can give you objective feedback and help you walk through your options.
There’s a reason you selected (or are leaning toward) this location, so trust your instincts. No, you can’t be certain that you’ll love the destination; sometimes these decisions require a little faith. (Remember Dorothy & Co. taking a chance on their golden highway!) But by the same token, if your gut is telling you that this really isn’t what you want, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate your choice. A career advisor can give you objective feedback and help you walk through your options.
So here’s hoping your move goes as smoothly as possible! And hey - if
your travels take you to Kansas City, email
me and I’ll give you a list of my favorite BBQ joints.
The Wizard of Relocation: More
resources for your move
Susannah Krenn is a Web
Editor and Project Specialist for the Career Center. She majored in Psychology
and Art Studio at The University of Notre Dame and received her Master's in
Higher Education Administration from Boston College. Susannah enjoys reading,
being outdoors, and spending too much money on personalized stationary and cute
postage stamps. She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and three
daughters.
