When moving house to a new city there are a lot of lessons to be learned. The first thing you find out when going outside your comfort zone is that you always have to adapt to the new lifestyle to fit in. Depending on where you come from, sometimes that can be quite difficult. But there is no such thing as impossible when it comes to fitting in. Everybody can adapt to new areas, all you need to know are the little things that will help you out. The relocation is much less stressful to handle when you actually know people in the new city, so finding ways of becoming part of their community is a huge plus. Now, if your removal van has landed in London, the options are various. Here is how you can fit right in.
- Don’t draw attention to yourself
You are already the attraction of the area since you just came in. People – friendly and noisy alike – will come to see you themselves, you don’t need to put an extra effort to make yourself noticed. Others don’t need to adapt to you, so you should not act any differently than you usually do. Good manners will take you far, so exercise those, especially in the stiff upper lip city of London.
- Introduce yourself with the community
London is one of the most diverse places in the world. You can find all sorts of nationalities and ethnicities. When moving to a specific area, get acquainted with the people there and rest with the knowledge that they know just as little about you as you know about them. When you are well introduced with everybody, then make your choices and decide who you want to let into your personal life.
- Dress appropriately
Again, you are the one with the relocation, so you have to adapt. Don’t dress outrageously. If you picked the area properly, you should not have to, either. See what people wear and dress accordingly. Fitting in means sometimes making sacrifices, even if they are fashion ones.
- Get to know the area
London is a huge city, consisting of plenty of smaller towns and districts. After the removal company leaves, it is up to you to explore the area you chose to live in. You don’t have to learn about the whole city, at least not at first, and definitely not if you don’t want to, simply introduce yourself with the whole area you reside in so that you don’t have to look flummoxed every time a neighbour mentions a nearby place you are unaware of. Learn about the neighbourhood, the transportation options, the surrounding areas, and explore when you feel ready to.
- Outings
Taking frequent walks in your new area will do you much good. It will both help you learn about the district, and it will introduce you to the people there. Dine out frequently on your first few days in London and see what restaurants it offers and the visitors they have. Learn how to discern residents from tourists and visitors, and get acquainted with the residents that catch your fancy.
- Get to know the London Underground
If you are planning to explore the whole of London, then the one thing you have to know is the “tube”. The London Underground will be your best friend when getting from district to district and will take you anywhere you wish, but you do need some practice so that you don’t get lost too much with all the options on offer.
Many thoughts about being an outsider may plague your mind while travelling after the moving van, but they are moot. London is not a difficult place to fit in. Much like more places, if you chose the area to fit your lifestyle, you simply have to play it humble as you get to know the people there. Once you are familiar with the regions and with the neighbourhood, it is up to you how you want to live your life, and you will be able to choose your community. Don’t fret over how you might not get accepted – simply gather knowledge and be friendly and fitting in will come naturally.
