Moving to a city, especially when you’re from a small town, is a huge adjustment. Cities are constantly growing and changing, so things will keep going with or without you. The fight to keep up can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t always have to be that way. When you pack up and move to a city, although there are things that you will miss, there are so many things you will learn to love about your new home.

1. You’re close… to everything

Living in a city opens up this whole new world of transportation. You can ditch your car keys and stop worrying about gas prices. Plus, when you go out with your friends, no one has to worry about being DD, Uber is always just an app away. The bus is so easy and so cheap to get you from one place to another.

You might get squished on the subway or metro during rush hour, but you’ll feel like a boss once you can instantly tell the confused tourist exactly which line they need to take. Plus, stores and restaurants are just around the corner from where you sleep and where you go to class. Everything is squished together in this plethora of options you have for things to do.

2. So many new people every day, all the time

City life means a lot of people in a pretty tight space. The diversity is incredible. You’re guaranteed to see new faces every time you go outside. So rather than having to duck into a store because someone you’d rather not see just walked into the only deli in your small town, you can expect to not always run into people you know when you go outside. This gives so many opportunities to meet new friends or even a potential romantic interest, whether you joined a club or are just waiting in line at the corner store. Cities have so many social groups to join, too, whether it’s a yoga class in a studio or a cooking lesson with a chef.

3. Nonstop things to do and see

Something about a city that you discover to be true once you live there is how you can never truly be bored or out options of things to go do and see. There will always be another restaurant to try or a concert to see or a museum to walk around. Cities have so many social things to do like open galleries, clubbing or even live theater. Major cities are the regional hubs of entertainment. Cities never sleep and you don’t have to either.

4. Doing things by yourself

Being in a city means that you can easily (and pleasantly) do things on your own. In more isolated places it might seem kind of lonesome to take a drive out by yourself. But in a city, since everything is already bursting with life, you learn to love taking walks by yourself through the streets, admiring the views and taking the time to be independent. The independence that comes with living in a city lets you learn to be self-sufficient which is important especially if you’re pursuing your career or education.

5. New (and not always pleasant) sights and smells

It’s a city; a lot of people means a lot of food, traffic and of course, garbage. Food trucks emit constant grease, trash bags will be piled up on the corner and car exhaust is never a good time for the sensitive nose. But it’s all part of enjoying the city life because for every reek of sewage there will be a bakery radiating the scent of fresh bread or a cafe with coffee grounds sprinkling the air. Not everything will be pleasant to look at or inhale but it’s just something you learn to appreciate when you share a city with so many other people.

6. Constant noise

The garbage man will conveniently empty the dumpster at 4:30 a.m. and you probably won’t go more than an hour without hearing a siren or taxi horn. People will always be yelling into their cell phones and dogs will be barking at each other. Cities are loud! No one expects to experience silence, but when you do, you learn to appreciate those moments and take that time for yourself.

7. Infinite options for food

Cities are known for options. Your small town might’ve had some chain restaurants, a pizzeria and some family-owned diners but in a city, it’s never more than a few blocks until you find another dining option. There will always be another restaurant to try when you live in the city. You learn to be adventurous and open your palette to things you haven’t tried before and probably would have never tried if you weren’t in such close proximity to them.

8. The energy

Moving to a place so upbeat and fast paced can be scary. It’s easy to feel out of place or the need to take a step back from the crazy energy of a city. That’s the beauty of living in the city; you can do whatever you want. Sure, when you look out your window there might be people darting back and forth but you can always close the blinds. The amazing thing about cities is that there is a place for everyone. You can and will find the vibe that fits your lifestyle because once you move to a city, it becomes your home.