If you were to move to a new city...

[JiriHrdina]

That you weren't familiar with...what things would you want to know about it upon arriving?
- How to get around (how the road system works, transit system, etc)
- Emergency Info (Hospitals, key phone numbers, pet hospitals?
- What to Do (Where is the night life, what are the big leisure activities in the city)


What else? What are the critical things that one must find out soon after, if not before arriving in a city?

[Locke]

1. How to get to work.
2. Nearest Sports Pub.

Not necessarily in that order...

One of the big ones that I've learned from travelling all over is that sometimes, more important than knowing where to go, is knowing where NOT to go. Many bigger cities have certain areas where you just shouldn't be. And wandering into them ignorantly isn't forgiven.

Locke.

[jam26]

Neighbourhoods to avoid.

[Winsor_Pilates]

-Safe areas to live / hang out
-Unsafe areas that should be avoided
-everything about my local area first. I'd familiarize myself with a small area before I worried about the rest. ie. shops, restaurants, services, entertainment etc.
-and since this will be me as of Sunday, how to avoid annoying Canucks fans during the playoffs

[RedHot25]

Bah...I've moved to a good number of communities and part of what I like is the "exploring". Finding these things out on your own.

Anyways, figuring out right off the bat "how to get to" your key locations (e.g. work, grocery store, etc) is important. This may therefore be a result of learning public transit or getting some car routes down pat.

Emergency stuff? Not so much for me right away. But if you have a continual health concern, for example, that may be of importance.

Hmmm what else. The basic necessities - grocery store, drug store, bank etc are always good to locate.

I find that I first need to "get my bearings" regarding some of the necessities and then go from there.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

That you weren't familiar with...what things would you want to know about it upon arriving?
- How to get around (how the road system works, transit system, etc)
- Emergency Info (Hospitals, key phone numbers, pet hospitals?
- What to Do (Where is the night life, what are the big leisure activities in the city)


What else? What are the critical things that one must find out soon after, if not before arriving in a city?

When I moved to Calgary, the biggest things were how to get around, where to find the standard stores (gas stations, groceries, dept stores) and what the hours are. What gas stations are open late. What time in general do places close.

A lot depends on what sort of a social network you have where you are going. Are you bringing a family? Do you know people in the area?

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

When I moved to Calgary, the biggest things were how to get around, where to find the standard stores (gas stations, groceries, dept stores) and what the hours are. What gas stations are open late. What time in general do places close.

Yeah, and it really depends what you will have set up in a sense. For e.g...are you moving to a house with a washer/dryer, or will you need to find the closest laundray mat?

[BlackEleven]

-Good neighbourhoods to live in
-Cost of living (rent/house prices, groceries, average salary in your field)
-Find out if its necessary to learn the language to get by (if its a non-English speaking city)
-Public Transportation System map or road map
-Cost of flights back to Calgary (assuming you'll want to visit family/friends)

[burn_baby_burn]

I moved a lot when I was younger for work, and I didn't bother checking anything like that out. Like Redhot25 said, it is fun to explore and find those things out. But if I moved now with a wife and kids. I would scope things out a little better. I think if you are staying in Canada, things are not going to be a whole lot differant where ever you go. The thing I would find out would be housing prices and availability. How close can I live to work? How are the schools in the area that I plan to live? Things of that nature.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I moved a lot when I was younger for work, and I didn't bother checking anything like that out. Like Redhot25 said, it is fun to explore and find those things out. But if I moved now with a wife and kids. I would scope things out a little better.

Great point, burn. Like you said, on your own? I say go out and explore it. Have a partner/family/etc, maybe put more into reconnaisance efforts. Also depends on what type of person you are....do you like to explore/discover the 'unknown', or do you prefer to have things more planned out?

[Sample00]

considering checking out the Chamber of Commerce and local Tourist centre for information.