Tired of living in a small town? Do you feel like whenever you leave home you bump into an inquisitive neighbor or a second cousin of yours who wants to engage in tiresome small talk? If your environment is suffocating you, it’s time for a change. If your opportunities for employment are limited and you have no space for growth, you may consider moving to a metro. According to the statistics available at Monster’s job site, metropolitan areas are the most promising places to find employment. Not to mention the fact that life can never get boring! However, it’s not all peaches and cream. If you decided to organize your life in a big city, you need to know both good sides and downsides.
The sunny side
Ok. You’ve made the move and changed the environment that was impeding your progress, which is great.
Moving to a metro is an exciting experience.
Making a fresh start can really do you good. First of all, let’s see what you have to gain by moving to a metro and what are the positive sides of such a call.
Healthcare
It may not be fair to say that small cities generally suffer from deficient health care. However, the fact is that whenever a serious health problem occurs, people look for a solution in the closest metro city or even travel abroad for diagnostics and proper care. Better equipment, doctors with the best credentials and well-trained hospital staff make you feel comfortable in their hands.
Amenities
From shopping malls to museums and recreational centers, there’s so much to enjoy! Whether you’re into squandering your money on rags or enriching your education, you can do whatever you please. Fans of the cinema and theater are especially keen on living in big cities because the cultural scene they offer is overwhelming. In addition, metropolitan cities are usually home to the professional sports clubs which compete in national and regional championships. In terms of quality leisure, is there anything else you could wish for?
Employment
Metros are the most promising places to find work.
We already mentioned employment, but it truly is one of the most important assets of metro cities. Migration from rural areas to cities has been an unstoppable trend over the past decades. It is estimated that 54 percent of the world’s population now lives in cities. The main reason for moving to a metro is the search for employment. Metro areas continue to register steady job growth and rank much better than other places in terms of opportunities for job seekers.
The not-so-bright side
Cost of living
Once again, we talk about the money. But can anyone argue it isn’t one of the most important factors determining the quality of life? If costs exceed your earnings or make you live on a very tight budget, you’ll resent every moment you spend in the city of your choice. Metro areas generally hold higher prices when it comes to public utilities, housing and services. It means that the basic costs of living may turn out to be too much of a burden, leaving little or no space in the budget for leisure and entertainment. If you can’t enjoy the benefits of moving to a metro, then why bother moving at all?
Noise
If you’ve lived in a big noisy city from the day you were born you are probably fine with it. The sounds of nervous drivers behind a steering wheel are a part of metro cities’ folklore. And what if you live near a construction site? Metro cities are growing and expanding on a daily basis. Construction workers will make sure that every time of the day is filled with the ear-splitting noise of their machinery. Speaking of noise, we must not forget the nightclubs! Although local authorities have regulations about working hours of nightclubs, the noise they make is still present.
Stress
Statistics show that the inhabitants of rural areas have a higher life expectancy than people living in big cities.
Stress reduces life expectancy.
The chief culprit is stress. Whether you’re frustrated with the traffic or the fact that you cannot find a parking place, the continuous stress detrimentally affects your health. The hectic way of life is unavoidable if you live in a metro. You are constantly waiting for something – a queue in the post office, a table at the restaurant, a standstill in the rush hour. You name it! Always in a hurry and always have to wait. Isn’t it frustrating?
Crime rate
Unfortunately, metropolitan areas register a high rate of crime. According to the FBI statistics, crime rates in metro cities are above the national average, although there are differences among regions. For example, Chicago is one of the most violent cities in the United States according to available data. The murder rate in Chicago almost doubled in the period from 2014 to 2106. However, it is not true that all metropolitan areas register a high rate of violent crimes. But pickpocketing is another subject. Crowded streets of metro cities provide plenty of opportunities for pickpockets and, with a slight lack of attention, you can easily become their victim.
Prepare yourself for moving to a metro
Moving is already stressful as it is. But if you’re moving to a metro, you need to be ready to deal with challenges ahead of you. You can reduce stress and organize life to make it enjoyable.
For example, use public transport as much as you can. It will help you avoid the stress of looking for parking. Metropolitan cities usually have good metro lines you can rely on. This may be the best way of commuting in a large city.
The location of your apartment also matters. Housing in the city center may turn out to be unsustainable. If you opt for a well-connected location away from the center, you can substantially reduce the costs of living. Of course, you may have the dilemma whether to live in a house or apartment. As for metro cities, you are better off in a cozy functional apartment!
Plan your budget. Make a list of necessities and their expenses to see what you’re left with at the end of the day. If you want to enjoy your life in a metro, you have to leave space for recreation and entertainment. If you succeed in finding a balance, you’ll love your new hectic life!
