Moving to a new city: A short handbook for creative people

Moving to a new location can be a bit of a hassle. Take a look at our tips to make the transition smoother.

They've just moved to a new area and definitely don't want to live a solitary life. Creative people don't just move to a new city because of the exciting art scene – cost of living, proximity to friends and family, job opportunities, and artistic commissions are also common reasons for relocating.

Even if your new city boasts affordable rents and good working conditions, establishing a connection with your new community during the settling-in period can be quite frustrating. Figuring out how to fit into a new city's art scene can be challenging, as the unspoken hierarchy is often quite difficult to navigate. Every neighborhood has its own social customs and unwritten rules that need to be understood.

Fortunately, there are many ways to make the transition smoother, such as getting to know the current scene and finding out where your integration efforts are appreciated.

Before the move

01 Calculate the cost of living at your new place of residence

Before you move, you should check whether you can reduce your living expenses there. If you want to get an idea of ​​how affordable a new city is, simply take a look at the cost of living there. The local rent index can provide a good starting point. Costs for public transport and local amenities can also be calculated fairly accurately.

If you're considering buying property, you should keep an eye on property taxes and the local tax rates. Unless you're moving to a different country, your costs for food, clothing, and everyday necessities should remain roughly the same.

Federal Statistical Office and the interactive map of the German Economic Institute (IW) are also suitable for comparing the cost of living

If you'd like to find out about the cost of living in individual districts or cities, simply take a look at this cost-of-living index map . It features an interactive display showing the average cost of living in all 400 districts in Germany. This is a good starting point, especially if you have a specific region in mind but haven't yet decided which city suits you best.

If you already have a city in mind for your move, you can use the index values, based on your current place of residence, to calculate how much money you need to live comfortably in your new city.

02 Planning the move and hiring a moving company

Statistics show that an average move to a neighboring region costs around €2,000. Long-distance moves can easily cost up to €5,000. Moving companies typically charge by the hour, and you can generally expect rates between €25 and €100 per hour.

If you want to find out how much a move will cost you, simply use a moving cost calculator . It takes into account the volume of your belongings and the distance to your new home.

Quick tip: Check out some local Facebook groups and ask the members how much they paid to move there.

03 Get in touch with moving professionals

If you're thinking of transporting your belongings yourself, just make sure you have enough boxes, tape, fuel, and some emergency supplies to ensure everything goes smoothly. You can also rent small vans by the day in most cities. These can be driven with a regular car driving license (Class B).

If not, you should contact a low-cost moving company to help you with your move. We recommend contacting a moving company at least eight weeks before your move.

If you have a considerable amount of valuable artwork in stock that you would like to have safely transported to your new home, this article .

Moving tips

04 Stay loyal to one system

Have you ever heard of packing checklists? If not, you can easily find them online. There are also great smartphone apps for this purpose:

• MoveAdvisor
• PackPoint
• My Moving Reviews
• Sortly
• Wunderlist
• ImmoScout24 moving app

Feel free to print out checklists or simply use them as inspiration. In any case, make sure you have a system that works best for you. Whether you tackle your rooms one at a time or start packing a few weeks in advance, create a plan and stick to it. This will prevent chaos and disorganization.

05 Get yourself a storage room

Using storage space can make your move to a new city much smoother. With the right storage unit, you can keep your belongings safe and secure until everything is set up in your new place.

You can continue renting a storage unit even after you've settled into your new home. If you're looking for secure, local storage units in your new area, take a look at Storebox eBay Classifieds in many cities .

06 Get rid of things you no longer need by selling or donating them.

As you prepare for the move , consider getting rid of some clutter and leaving behind old baggage.

Moving house is a good opportunity to find out what things you should keep and what you can throw away, sell or give away.

After the move

Information on the tasks, official procedures, and registrations required after moving is already widely available online. A quick Google search will provide all the necessary information in no time. Therefore, we would like to focus specifically on the challenges artists face in settling into their new neighborhood and establishing themselves artistically.

07 Blend in with the established art scene

Newcomers to established art scenes need to quickly realize that these scenes have a history that we should respect and cherish. It's incredibly easy to be constantly glued to your phone during social gatherings. But actually, being there for other artists has a far greater impact.

"Interested" on Facebook for an event, why not go out and show your support live and in person? As a creative professional, you realize how much more vibrant and impactful art is on a personal level. So why hold back when you can see the pieces up close? Gallery openings, open studios, and exhibition openings are fantastic opportunities to explore the scene independently and meet new people.

It can be a little nerve-wracking to chat with a group of strangers. But keep in mind that you probably have more in common with them than with the random people you pass every day. Put your phone aside and talk to the gallery owner, curator, or artists directly.

08 Help out in the neighborhood

If you're feeling a little lost or isolated in your new city, try breaking the ice by volunteering at a local gallery or museum. Your time is the best thing you can give to the community, and there are always opportunities to get involved and help out in the non-profit sector.

Working with volunteer organizations is generally very relaxed, as they don't have strict rules about minimum volunteer hours or requiring a lengthy orientation period. You might show up at an event, help with new projects, or even lead a workshop. These are all great opportunities to use your time while also meeting new people in the arts scene and developing creative ideas.

If you live in a large city and are considering volunteering for an art project or cultural institution, be sure to choose causes that truly deserve your time and support.

If you're finding it difficult to find a suitable location for your own projects, consider holding workshops or classes at nearby community centers, schools, shelters, or retirement homes. This type of work might not seem particularly important for your art, but it's actually a great way to connect with your community and develop new ideas for your own projects.

At the same time, it's a cool way to enhance your resume and show future clients and partners that you care about the community.

9. Attend workshops and courses

Freelance artists typically hold workshops in their studios, but you can also find such opportunities in community centers. Many artists offer these services for a small fee or sometimes even for free.

This has already helped countless artists to meet new people and expand their portfolio.

10. Get the most out of social media

Reach out to engaging contacts on social media via direct message. While this isn't the most traditional way to build a personal relationship, collaborating with others is sometimes just a click away.

For many of us, Instagram like our favorite casual online portfolio, and if you sympathize with someone's aesthetic or work, there's a real chance they'll reciprocate your contact.

If meeting people online isn't your thing, leveraging your existing contacts to initiate collaborations is a great way to expand your network. For example, if you're a photographer working with a model friend, they might be able to recommend makeup artists, stylists, and art directors you can contact for future shoots.

Some artists swear that Instagram and Twitter are the best ways to network in a new city.

11. Don't limit yourself to one medium

We are often caught up in our own creative processes while trying to find our place in the wider art scene. This mindset creates mental and physical barriers that make it difficult to become more involved in the community. If you are interested in painting, check out a poetry reading occasionally. If you are interested in performance art, perhaps you should see the new video installation that has just opened.

Trying out new media can really help you expand your skills and think outside the box.

12. Stay positive

Just pretend you have everything under control until you actually do.”

We all struggle with imposter syndrome , don't we? It's great to share these feelings with colleagues and enjoy a sense of camaraderie. Do something for yourself and share it with anyone who's curious.

Keep going and get your work ready for exhibitions. Keep going and share a rough draft, even if it's not fully polished yet. Make sure you set some deadlines and stick to them. Maintaining your practice is super important, but don't be too hard on yourself—remember that inspiration can come and go.

Moving to a new city can be quite nerve-wracking. Staying creative and engaging with the community can be challenging. But once you put in the effort and overcome the biggest hurdles, it's always worth it. To feel at home and happy in a new place, it's essential to find ways to express yourself creatively and rediscover what you love.

If you are determined and take initiative, entering a new art scene can be an enjoyable rather than a stressful experience.