I’m an Expat
A Transplant
“Hi! I’m new here and wanted to see if there are any other moms new to the area as well that might want to get together?”
What’s transplant or expat you ask?
Well basically someone who now lives in a place that isn’t their native home.
If you have ever moved to a new city, you know how anxious it feels to find your groove and get into the swing of things. Finding things you love all over again, and not just the fun stuff like your favorite cafe, but also things like a new doctors office, a new school for the kids and so on.
I’ve been labeled an expat for the better part of the last 10 years. Our most recent move was to Atlanta and it was the first time I learned the term Transplant, which I like a lot better than expat. It suits how I feel better than expat. I feel like a person who is a transplant into a new city.
I’ve been moving around for the past decade or so and have gathered some tips and tricks to adjust to a new city!
Transplant Tips
5. Be Open to New Things 🙂
I Know you miss your favorite pizza place.
But, call every Thursday Night Pizza Night and order from a new place each week until you find your new favorite.
*Note: It took me 5 tries in Atlanta to find our favorite place (Jets Pizza) and I just tried MOD pizza last week, it was fantastic!
4. Join Online Communities
You know what being an expat or a transplant is kind of like? It’s like high school all over again.
You are super nervous, but you know what, so is everyone else. Join an online community. They are a golden source for making new friends.
*Note: Check out Atlanta Area Moms Blog often. It is a great resource to find events going on in the community. You should Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on anything!
3.Things are done differently here
In North America, we have the DMV to get your driver’s license. Everywhere else it might not be so easy. Nothing is going to be like it is at home, and that’s okay.
Just remember that when you end up on a wild goose chase trying to get something done that would have only taken 13 minutes in your hometown.
Note: In Atlanta, it’s so easy to apply and renew your Driver’s license, most of it can be done online… or on your phone!
*In Kuwait as expats, I had to show my husbands Doctorate Degree to prove He was a doctor so that I could get a driver’s license…I won’t even get into that.
2.Go with the Flow.
When you move somewhere new, things don’t go as planned. The cable company misses their appointment, the internet doesn’t get installed on time.
Just be Zen about it, and walk in knowing that sometimes things don’t go as planned and that’s okay. It will get done, just might take a little while.
*Note: I was without Internet for 2 weeks guys…It was like camping…and I hate camping.
1. It’s an Adventure.
I know it’s hard leaving everything you are familiar with, no matter how many times you’ve done it. It never gets any easier. But, this life you are living, it’s a beautiful adventure you are on. You get to see new sunsets in beautiful new places. It can be scary, but if you’re open to it, it can be a lot of fun.
*Note: I missed hiking while I lived in the Middle East, I missed the hikes I would take in Toronto.
But you know what I’ve discovered that Atlanta has way better trails! I live in Sandy Springs now and have even found an online community and Outdoors Club that meets weekly for hikes!
My name is Fai.
I’m an Expat.
I’m a Transplant.
This is My…
New Hometown
Fantastic post… and great tips. Great job!
Thanks for this! Been in the area about 6 months now and it has truly been an experience! Especially the DMV part, and transferring vehicles (TAVT can bite me!) but to say its different from Southeast Louisiana is a gross understatement, but I’m adjusting. And when I did find a pizza place, and it really start to feel like home ?