Any big city can be a daunting place. Cities are big, loud, and filled with a lot of people in a little space. While they can be a great option for those who enjoy the energy and opportunities that the urban landscape offers, it also means there are usually crowds everywhere you go, traffic, and lots of hustle and bustle — a pain if you’re on vacation, but potentially worse if you live there full-time. If that all energizes instead of terrifies you, you just might be happier living in a city. The following are some signs that you can hack it in the big city.
You Love Being Able to Walk
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As far as you’re concerned just about any place is walking distance and your sense of walking distance probably differs from what most people consider walkable (i.e. walking the width of Manhattan is no big deal to you). This is good news because most people living in the city walk a lot, so hitting 10,000 steps a day is a breeze.
You know better than to walk too far in heels or dress shoes, and you never know when you will be walking an extensive distance, so you always have a comfortable pair of flats stashed in your bag. If you’re a true city slicker, your sneakers are a go-to pick. You snicker at girls hobbling home in uncomfortable heels or walking home from the bar barefoot on city sidewalks (eww) because they didn’t bring sensible footwear and were too impatient for an Uber.
You Don’t Mind Public Transportation
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If a place is really too far to walk, you will happily hop on the public transit. You don’t mind all the people jostling for seats — its people watching at its finest, and you love having the option to ride instead of driving or paying for a rideshare. You may not even need a car.
Weather Doesn’t Bother You
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No taxi or rideshare available? No problem! Not only do you always have sensible footwear, you’re usually prepared to be walking in rain (or snow in the winter). A coat with a hood, an umbrella, you’ve usually got them. No matter the elements, you’re prepared for it.
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If for some reason you find yourself driving somewhere, you are okay with the city traffic. You don’t mind sitting at a standstill and cranking up the radio. And when it comes to parallel parking — is there any other way to park? You’re a pro and can zip into a space in three seconds flat.
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You take pride in knowing where most things are and don’t ever turn away when someone stops to ask for directions. You know your way around and aren’t afraid to share your know-how.
You Like Trying New Foods
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You pretty much always have an open mind and open palate — and maybe you’ve even picked a city to live in based on the food. You don’t mind straying from your tried and true favorites to try something new and if you like it, you’ll gladly recommend it to everyone. You know every country namely because you’ve eaten at a restaurant based on the native cuisine, no matter how distant or small it might be.
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You’re a social butterfly. You have no problem talking to people and you make friends easily. As far as you’re concerned, a busy schedule is music to your ears. You’re always filling extra time by meeting up with people for coffee, drinks, lunch, dinner, or even for a walk in the park.
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You Know What Wearing Headphones Means
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While you like being social, there are times you don’t want to be bothered. For those times you know the power of putting on headphones (they can even be cheap ones). Even if you aren’t actually listening to anything, you know that it’s a way to block people from talking to you.
You Don’t Hang Out With Your Neighbors
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Sure, you’re social and friendly, but that doesn’t mean you need to be best friends with your neighbors. You don’t plan block parties, progressive dinners, or playdates just because of how close in proximity to someone you live.
You have an eye for picking out the newest hot spot and are comfortable going out for drinks when most people are climbing into bed. Consequently, you don’t mind a little less sleep and you thrive on a good afterparty. One of the advantages of living in the city is your friends aren’t that far away.
You Don’t Know How to Make Coffee at Home
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So a pour-over coffee is super easy? So what? Your daily commute always includes time to grab a coffee, because heaven forbid you actually make it yourself at home. And if your coffee shop sells breakfast, you’re in for that too.
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Walking and talking? That’s for beginners. Walking and eating is second nature to you, and you won’t drop a crumb or get ketchup on your clothes, either. Meals don’t need to be eaten at a table – that’s a luxury you don’t always have time for. You’re busy with places to go and people to see, so eating on the go is perfectly acceptable.
You Always Have Some Cash on You
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Your mom taught you well — you always have a little emergency moolah on hand. Who knows when you may need it? It especially comes in handy when you need to grab a bite on the go or when the corner food cart calls your name – and they only take cash, not cards.
You Can Only Fall Asleep to the Sound of Traffic or Sirens
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When you do head to bed, you don’t put on a sound machine of sleep sounds. Instead, you crack the window and fall asleep to the soothing sound of traffic and sirens — what is a nerve-rattling cacophony to others is music to your ears. And once you are asleep, well, there is very little that can actually wake you up, including loud neighbors and car alarms.
Forget a three-bedroom house in the suburbs. You’re more than happy to cram your life and family into a two-bedroom, 600-square-foot apartment — and you’re a genius at making every single square foot of space count, too. Best of all, you’re always motivated to do some decluttering.
You Don’t Need Green Space
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When it comes to a yard, you just don’t need it. Who has time to mow grass or plant flowers anyway? And forget your own garden – that’s what a bundle of cut flowers from the sidewalk market is for. If you do need a bit of nature in your day, you always know the best city parks to enjoy a bit of greenery.
You Revel in New Experiences
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You never, ever have FOMO because you never, ever miss out on anything. Just like trying new food, you love to try out new places and experiences. A new play, new music, a new museum, or a new gallery, you’ll be the first in line to check it out and probably post about it on social media just to rub it in to your friends.
You Don’t Get Fazed Easily
Jeenah Moon / Stringer / Getty Images News / Getty Images North America
Not a whole lot fazes you — not the road-raged jerk on the way to work, or even the guy on the subway with a pet rat in his front pocket. To each their own is your motto, and if someone gets in your face, you have no problem yelling back.
You’ve Got a Healthy Dose of Street Smarts
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No small-time hood is going to take you as an easy mark. You’ve got a good balance of being aware of your surroundings while not being terrified of everything. You know how to recognize red flags and how to handle yourself. You put your safety first but know when to be worried and when not to be. A city is full of all kinds of people — harmless, unsavory, and dangerous. You can easily spot the difference.
You Can Handle a Mess
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More people, more pets, and more traffic mean more mess, smog, litter, and even the occasional unwelcome critter (and by critter we usually mean rats and roaches, not pets). Even if you complain about it, none of that really bothers you. On a good day, you still see the beauty in the city scene, and on a bad day, you have something to carp about with your coworkers.
You Thrive on Diversity
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Does someone you’ve met have a different background or different accent? That’s totally okay with you. You like to meet new people and learn about different cultures. You believe the world would be a boring place without all of our differences and you’re happy to listen to, learn about, and experience different people, opinions, and cultures.
You Love the View of Skyscrapers
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While some people crave the beauty of nature, your perfect view is the city skyline. You love those big towering buildings and everything in between them.
Raechel Conover has been a staff writer for Cheapism since 2010. In that time she has written hundreds of stories and review articles for the website, many of which have also appeared on Yahoo, MSN, TIME, The New York Times and various other websites. She also played a key role in developing the Cheapism blog and served as the blog manager for a number of years.
Now with three young kids she remains a regular contributor to Cheapism.com. She’s a self-confessed shopaholic and frugal mom, always scouring the clearance racks for deals, utilizing local resale websites, and stacking coupons. When she isn’t writing or deal hunting, she can be found taking full advantage of free community activities and events with her husband and children.
Raechel has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications from The Ohio State University. Based in Dublin, Ohio, Raechel also does freelance writing work and social media consulting for local companies.
