Moving to a new city can be a fun and exciting chapter of your life. It can also be very difficult. Getting to know where things are, what the culture is like as well as creating a routine for yourself, takes time. But one fun way to discover a new city, of course, is through food – we’ve all got to eat sometime, haven’t we?
Ease the uneasiness of moving to a new location by getting to know its food. Here are some top tips for discovering your new city through food, and start feeling more at home.
Get lost
One of the best ways to get to know your new home is to simply start wandering around. Don’t worry about where you’re going, just walk around and take it in, sussing out some interesting places you’d like to visit at a later time. Take a break, sit in a cafe or do some bar-hopping – these are fun and easy ways to start getting to know your surroundings and discover your neighborhood, so don’t be afraid to get lost!
Look at recommendations
Discovering new food is a cool way to get to know your city. You can discover food spots that suit your interests, such as vegan foods or a specific type of dining – helping you to feel more at home. The internet is your easiest way to find restaurant, cafe and bar recommendations with plenty of dedicated food blogs, travel guides and more. Time Out has recommendations for cities all over the world, so you can easily find some excellent suggestions no matter where you are.
If you’re looking for a fun new hobby to enjoy in your new home, why not start a food blog of your own? If you love food and writing, it could be the perfect ideal creative outlet for you. The perfect excuse for eating yourself around the city, you can make some fantastic discoveries that others will love to read about!
Ask around for tips
Food can be a surprisingly easy way to strike up a conversation with someone. If you’re nervous about talking to strangers, then asking some questions about the city can be a good way to strike up a conversation. When you’re in a store or talking to someone, explain that you’re new to the city and ask if they have any recommendations for places to eat, go for a drink, etc. The conversation could lead you to some great places, as well as be a way to introduce yourself to new people – you never know what might come of it!
Discover local street food
While restaurants and cafes are great for sampling tasty food in interesting surroundings, you could be missing out on some great finds straight in front of your eyes. Street food is a booming part of the food industry and can be a good way to discover some affordable eats that could end up becoming your new favorites. Big cities will undoubtedly have a big street food scene, so check out what’s available. If your new home is in Asia, you’ll be pleased to find that street food is a significant part of the culture, so you’ll have plenty of options to try in your new home.
Say yes to invitations
It can be difficult to meet people in a new city, but food certainly brings people together. If someone asks you to lunch or dinner, make sure you say yes. This can be a good way to develop some new friendships and will help you to socialize, helping you soon feel at home in your new location. Want to make some new friends at work? Why not bring in a crowd-pleasing potluck recipe and delight your new co-workers with your cooking skills.
Sign up to cooking classes
Another great way to get social in the city is to sign up for cooking classes. Cooking classes have many benefits, and besides helping you to enhance your culinary repertoire, you could find yourself making some amazing new friends too. What kind of cuisines do you like? Japanese, Italian, French? Whatever your fancy, there’ll be a cooking class for that! A regular cooking class could be a fun new hobby, giving you something to do as part of your routine that can help you settle into a great routine.
Cook your favorites at home
Living in a new city or a new country will open your eyes to new experiences, especially when it comes to food. But all of this eating out, you’ll soon find that it has a negative effect on your account balance, as well as your waistline! Balance things out by cooking some of your favorites at home. Choosing accommodation with a great kitchen will be ideal for helping you cook for yourself, as well as inviting new friends over for dinner.
You can find beautiful apartments in the heart of the city, ideal for picking up fresh local ingredients in stores. In Indonesia, a search for apartemen di Bandung murah will bring you some great options for apartments to rent, so make sure you choose one with a good kitchen you can cook in. Once you’ve found somewhere, consider getting a roommate – cooking is much more worthwhile when you’re cooking for two.
Attend food events
Food events can be a fantastic way to enjoy your new city and soak up some of the local culture. Take a look at local events taking place, exploring food festivals and similar events that could be a great way to meet people. Facebook is a good source of local events, so take a look at what’s around and join in the fun!
Starting life in a new city, even if it’s just temporarily, can change your life in different ways. But once you start settling down and get to know where things are, you’ll soon be able to make it home. Have fun getting to know the food scene in your city, one bite at a time.
