Starting a new work assignment in an unfamiliar city is both exciting and challenging. You’re adapting to a new role, navigating a different environment, and figuring out where to grab coffee on your new route to work. And while new experiences are part of the adventure, there’s nothing quite like feeling truly at home, even when you’re far from it.
Here are a few practical ways to settle in, connect with your surroundings, and create comfort wherever work takes you.
Create a “Home Base” That Feels Like You
Whether your stay is three months or a year, your space should feel like a sanctuary — not just a place to sleep. Curating a few important items to take with you can make all the difference in your space feeling like… well just a space, or somewhere you can truly unwind, relax, and enjoy like home.
Photos, cozy blankets, a favorite mug, or even candles/scents you love can liven up a space, and help make a temporary space feel familiar and inviting.
Explore Your City Like a Local
The best way to gain a sense of belonging? Start exploring and discover your new personal spots! Finding a morning café, local market, or running trail that helps ground you is the perfect way to start enjoying your new assignment city and making it feel yours.
Try these tools to help you uncover local favorites:
- Google Maps Explore Tab – Popular nearby eats & activities
- Yelp – Reviews for restaurants & services
- AllTrails – Trails and outdoor adventures
Find Community Wherever You Land
Connection is key to feeling settled. Seeking out new friendships, whether through work, hobbies, or social events, can help make this city feel alive, and make your experience that much more vibrant.
A few great places to start:
- Meetup – Social groups, hobbies & networking
- Bumble For Friends — Meet new people one-on-one
- VolunteerMatch — Help the community & build connections
Keep, or Build, a Routine
Change can be chaotic, and routines can help anchor you. Try keeping habits that bring you comfort, like:
- Weekly meal-prep
- Fitness routines
- Morning walks
- Regular check-ins with family or friends
A little consistency goes a long way toward feeling grounded.
Create a Local Bucket List
Make the most of your time by planning out what you want to see ahead of time! From the little, locally known spots, to the big, tourist attractions you don’t want to miss, you want to create memories that will last. Here are a few places to check out when building out your bucket list:
- TripAdvisor — Top-rated attractions
- Atlas Obscura — Unique, quirky places
- Roadtrippers — Weekend trip planning
Stay Connected to Your People
Homesickness happens, it’s totally normal, but technology makes staying connected easier than ever. Plan regular video chats, send photos of your adventures, and celebrate milestones together from afar.
Go Easy on Yourself
Adjusting to a new place isn’t always instant, and that’s okay. You may feel excited one day and overwhelmed the next. You might miss familiar routines or people. You might even question whether you made the right decision.
Give yourself the same grace you’d extend to a friend in your situation. Some reminders for the tougher days:
- You don’t have to have it all figured out right away. Feeling out of place at first is normal.
- You’re allowed to rest. Exploring and adjusting take energy — recharge when you need to.
- Progress is progress, even if it’s small. Each new connection, familiar street, or successful grocery trip is a win.
- Celebrate the courage it took to get here. Not everyone is bold enough to build a life in new places.
The Takeaway
Home isn’t just a zip code, it’s the life you build around you. Every assignment gives you the chance to discover new communities, routines, and experiences that shape who you are. With a little intention, you’ll soon find that home becomes a feeling you can create anywhere you go.
Wherever your work takes you next, you’ve got this.