Many people love the opportunities that city life can bring them. You can end up never feeling lonely when you know there are so many people around you. The closer you are to city centres, the more chances you may also have for work and leisure activities, particularly in capital or larger cities.
If you have lived in urban areas all your life, you may already be accustomed to the expenses and ways of manoeuvring around concrete jungles. On the other hand, if you are used to smaller towns and villages, adapting to city life may come as a shock. Either way, it can be a good idea to consider the location and costs related to the area, so you can make the most of your time there.
Think about your future
While you may have a good job and easily be able to manage your rent or mortgage alongside your bills now, you won’t be working forever. Paying into a personal pension while living and working (see here) can give you that bit more freedom as you approach retirement. Ideally, you want to ensure you have enough money put away to be able to continue making ends meet, as well as to have enjoyment in your old age.
Alongside this, you may also want to consider exploring various ways to increase your income and even consider opening a savings account, to allow you to do more with your money, and gain enjoyment in the short term too.
Use public transport
Owning a vehicle when living in the city may not be such a wise idea. While it may allow you some independence, you are more likely to spend a lot of time stuck in traffic jams or avoiding accidents. Instead, opting for public transport or even car sharing can be a great idea. Not only is this likely to reduce your journey time, but it can also keep costs to a minimum.
A lot of properties in the city do not come with a garage, or even designated parking spots. This can mean that it is a nightmare, or even impossible at times, to find a space. By giving up your car, you will also be contributing more towards the environment, and reducing your carbon footprint.
Cook at home
City life often provides a lot of opportunity for you to experience different cultural cuisines. Having food at restaurants or even testing your local takeouts can be fun, but it can also be costly. If you can minimise the amount of fast food you buy, and cook at home instead, you can save a potentially large amount of money. Not only that, but you could also experiment with recreating your favourite restaurant and takeout foods at home, which can potentially lead to you no longer needing to pay restaurant prices altogether.
While living in the city can bring a lot of opportunity and experience, you will need to be careful with your money. Typically, city prices are higher than those of more rural areas, so you will need to factor this into your budget prior to your move.