Spare Time

So you moved to a new city, figured out where to live, found a way to make a little cash and taken care of some basic housekeeping issues. Nice going! Okay, so now what? Now all you have to do is figure out what to do when you’re not doing any of the above, right? It's a little thing we call "Free Time."

Single or not, exploring your own city is adventurous, exciting and maybe even a bit intimidating. If you don’t know anyone in your town, it’s going to be up to you to meet some people. Sure, you can do the standard after work happy hours and dinner with random relatives, but that get can annoying. If you really want to have a good time, meet some like-minded people or relish in your singledom, here are a few of our suggestions on how to make the most of your new city. These little ‘dates’ are perfect for two or just one. We don’t ever want to hear you utter the words “I’m bored” again.

The Scavenger
Antiquing, renovating, stripping (furniture, that is), or discount junk shopping…there’s no better way to shop or to explore your city than by paying the local flea markets a visit. Or, look in the newspaper for estate sales in some swanky parts of town. Not only will you get an inside look at some exclusive neighborhoods, but you’ll also get deals on stuff you could never afford to buy at the store.

The Funny Guy
Every city has its funny people. And they’re usually congregating somewhere around the sketch comedy or improv theater houses. Find them. Go to their shows. They’re hysterical. And once you go to a few of these, you’ll think, “Hey, I’m funny. I could do this.” And you should. That’s when you sign up for a class. Don’t worry. Everybody sucks too. That’s what makes it even more funny. In the end of the eight or ten week session, you’ll not only gain more confidence, but you’ll acquire people and networking skills you never knew you had.

The Chef
Cooking classes are a great way to explore your own creativity as well as the tastes of your town, not to mention meet some other people. You can find inexpensive options offered at local colleges, universities or culinary institutes.

The Animal Lover
Adopt a pet for the weekend. Before you can even utter "But I don't have the money," consider adopting a Seeing Eye Dog in training. All you have to do is prove you're normal, then provide food and shelter for a few days. The companionship is second to none even though you can't really let too many people pet your pooch when going for a walk. Call your local Humane Society to find out if this program is offered near you.

The Tiger
Nothing like a driving range. Hitting a bucket of balls is a fun way to spend the afternoon, not to mention cheap.

The Equestrian
Start with a hearty breakfast at the local diner. Then head down to the horse stables for a riding lesson. Yep, even big and expensive cities have 'em.

The Hiker
Even if you live in the biggest city in the world, there are still opportunities to explore nature. Whether you find them inside your city (botanical gardens, walking trails, nature centers) or travel just a short distance outside, there are beautiful and free excursions everywhere. For suggestions, check out Gorptravel's suggested list of great city hikes.

The Eternal Student
Classes, classes and more classes. Just because you graduated doesn't mean you can't learn. HTML, Wine Tasting, Screenwriting, Acting, Knitting, Woodworking, etc. Every city offers classes at a variety of price points. Find your passion then find your class.

Still don't know where to go? Keep checking in for city-specific resources! Coming Soon!