Tips To Survive The First Year Living Somewhere New

When my one-year milestone as an expat passed in September, it not only seemed crazy that 12 months had already passed, but that living in the UK truly felt like home. Despite the moving obstacles, homesickness and crazy roundabouts, we had made it. I made it. Again. In the spirit of this amazing one year milestone and in no particular order, here are my 10 tips to survive the first year living somewhere new.

1 – Create A Bucket List

Creating a bucket list is so important because as I mentioned above, time goes by far faster than it seems. One day you’ll be unpacking boxes and then the next, 12 months will have passed. My only regret with bucket lists is that I didn’t start making this a habit sooner.

Creating a bucket list not only helps you establish travel goals as a family but ensures you make the most of what vacation time you have. It takes the guessing out of what to do on the weekend or school breaks. But more importantly, it can really pump up the family when feeling settled hasn’t quite hit yet.

If you need a little help getting started, download the aBroad purpose UK bucket list for inspiration to create your own.

2 – Be A Local

This might be easier said than done, but it’s so true. The one trick to finally stop crying and start living is to embrace the surroundings and culture you’re in. It’s the best way to survive the first year living somewhere new.

A friend once told me I was a chameleon because of how much I adapt to where I’ve lived. Like when I hated Oregon for months and months until I finally embraced doing pretty much everything in the rain, from playing golf to wine tasting.

Or perhaps when I refused to move to Texas because living in a concrete city was less than appealing, until I discovered authentic Tacos, cowboy boots, and country music.

And living in the UK, though the weather is more temperamental than I’d like and British customer service is hard to get used to, choosing a local or making afternoon tea an everyday thing is a pretty awesome way to survive the first year.

Let it be known that I’ve cried every time I’ve had to move….and then again when it’s time to move on. Getting local is the best way to get through the first year somewhere new.

3 – Establish An Exercise Routine

It seems so simple but we all struggle with doing it. Even when we’ve run out of excuses to not go, we still find ways around it.

But here’s the thing. Establishing an exercise routine really does help with motivation, happiness and simply feeling better about what’s going on in our lives.

It might not be the same gym, same people, same classes or anything, but you’ll still get the same results. Establishing an exercise routine is a fantastic way to survive the first year living somewhere new because all you need are trainers and a plan.

When you’re done, you’ll think more clearly and feel good about taking on the day. Even if it’s just figuring out how to work the washing machine.

3 – Keep A Schedule

Keeping a schedule lets you be in charge. Everything else has changed around you but who and how you control it doesn’t. Add everything to a planner so that you make progress on unpacking, getting settled, decorating your home, meeting the neighbors, or whatever it is that will help keep your mind focused on the future vs the past.

Having a plan gives you purpose when moving leaves you feeling a bit lost and alone upon arrival. Aside from it helping you stay organized on what you need to do the first year, having a plan gives you something to look forward to. (Hint: Schedule those bucket list items!)

4 – Say Yes To Everything

If you’re an extrovert then this likely sounds dreamy. Or if you’re an introvert, like me, saying “Yes” to every social event puts us seriously out of our comfort zone.

But here’s the deal. You need to start meeting people. You won’t feel settled until you find that person or tribe that you connect with. It’s essential to find that person or persons that you can depend upon when you need a chat over a cuppa or even invite over for Thanksgiving dinner.

Whether you stick to old traditions, start new ones, or do a little of both, having local friends in your life to share those traditions and new experiences with are super important to survive the first year.

So, don’t think about it and just say, “Yes”.

5 – Volunteer

There is something about getting involved that immediately lifts your heart and soul. Find a charity or cause that you believe in, and go for it.

For me, I chose to participate in running events to raise money for cancer organizations – both local and abroad. It made me feel connected to so many people and that I was serving a really important purpose. It eliminates any boundaries you might feel when you miss home and your family.

Sharing your purpose by doing some good for others is a great way to reinforce how lucky you are, and hence dwelling less on the move. You’ll be more focused on your charity goal than anything else.

6 – Explore On Your Own

One of the best discoveries I’ve had about myself is how much I actually enjoy exploring on my own. I hadn’t previously considered it as an option, but when you give it a try a tremendous amount of self-discovery happens.

The first time I took a tour on my own in London I felt completely awkward. But, after I did it, I wondered why I didn’t do it all the time. Obviously, finances and that schedule I talked about above play a lot into that. But if you moved and your family is away most of the day, the stay-at-home mom drill can really get to you and be your own worse enemy to surviving the first year.

So, do something for yourself. Sign up for a city walk, make a cafe bucket list, go to a museum. It’s more than OK and it will absolutely help you not only survive the first year but speed up the process of getting local, too.

7 – Find A Group To Join

A group could be online or a membership that you’re a part of to meet new people that share a common purpose.

This could be a school organization, a gin-making class, wine membership or even an expat group. Lucky for me a couple of those connected me to really great people that are now my dearest UK friends. And those are the people that 100% helped me survive my first year. Forever grateful!

8 – Set A New Goal

The opportunity to live in a new place brings fresh starts. And fresh starts, like the New Year, mean new goals. Or perhaps not new, but ones that got away from you.

Use the first year to reflect on something you might have started and stopped or not started at all. Being able to focus on a goal or skill you want to develop shifts your energy to that goal vs struggles you experience the first year.

Shift your mindset from how to survive the first year to how to crush your goal by the end of the year. You’ll be surprised how quickly you forgot that you live somewhere new in the first place!

And if you need a few quotes for a daily dose of positive mindset support, check out these 10.

9 – Hone In On A Hobby

Now is a great time to do something you absolutely love! Make a list of things you love to do that you haven’t had time for or were not prioritized because moving took over your life. I can’t really say you can make up for a whole summer lost, but you can start by scheduling time for you to enjoy a hobby that you truly love.

Whether it’s cooking, sewing, reading, or even traveling, now’s the time to laser in on something that makes you happy. Let your hobby be an outlet to help you survive your first year.

Tips To Survive The First Year After Moving

As you can tell by now, many of these tips to survive the first year living somewhere new are all interrelated. You might not necessarily need to create a unique plan for all 9, but you’ll discover that by doing some, all will likely naturally come.

Oh, and a couple of sites to help you find joy in London while getting settled: Time Out and LittleBird.

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