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Depends on how you would describe your mental health and whether you are an introvert or an extrovert

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Learn to juggle 3 balls. I did that when I first lived on my own. If you already know how, then make your bed everyday and don’t let dishes pile up.

Join a league soccer team. Instant friends.

And male or female. If you moved there for school or a job, you might start by making connections there.

Learn to cook your own meals.

Buy an extra lock for your door - Amazon “add-a-lock”, it’s extra security for you. Start a separate savings account for extreme emergencies- new washing machine, car trouble, heating/plumbing. It’ll alleviate stress later. Enjoy your time!

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Do things for your future self, this involves alot of categories

Explore a different church every week.

The freezer is your friend. Learn how to cook a few items that can be frozen. Eat at home at least 5 nights. Eat in a different neighborhood restaurant at least once a week. Make a list of 10 local things to see/do. Cross one item off that list every week.

It’s very easy to become lonely living alone. Make sure you’re not isolating yourself too much. Visit loved ones. Call relatives. Go out every once in awhile. Play games with gaming friends. Join clubs/leagues/etc. Be friendly with your coworkers. Anything that will fulfill your social needs.

Enjoy your freedom. Resist the urge to get a roommate/long term guest. Over 3 days is long term.

Learn to juggle? That’s your advice?? I’m amused

Any group-based hobby really. Soccer, pickle ball, board game nights. Whatever helps you meet new people.

I moved out on my own in a new city and didn’t know anyone. You have to find ways to be comfortable in your own space while spending a real amount of time alone while it takes time making connections.
I played guitar and learned how to juggle. I can still do both many years later. The best thing is that you can just break out juggling in front of friends/partners years later and they never knew you could do that.

When I wake up I make a coffee and walk around the neighborhood. 15-20 minutes. I love doing this bc you become acquainted with your surroundings and neighbors and it helps you dig your feet in a little. Another tip would be go to the barber or salon. They probably know the city really well and can get you up to speed. Best of luck!

Gotcha - this makes a lot more sense and I totally agree. You have to learn how to be comfortable in your own skin.

You'll be fine. enjoy it.

Find a hobby you can enjoy doing at home. Entertaining yourself. Keep curtains closed at night. Assure doors and windows locked. Keep food in fridge, freezer and pantry. Don’t believe someone if they say they just need a few weeks to stay until they can find somewhere to live. Keep only your name on the lease.

I love this advice. I am always thinking of random things I want to learn, and since I'm an educator, I feel like this would be a fun one to know :)

That's a good point. I used to say I was an introvert but I think I fall more towards the middle than I give myself credit for. I like to be alone to an extent, and I am trying to get more comfortable with it as others have suggested, but I also enjoy being with people and am trying to make new friends and communities in this new city.

Cleaning routine and make a checklist. When people come over they shouldn’t smell you.

Make sure you have 2-3 live plants in the place for air quality and general “vibe”. Always keep an unopened guest pack of travel toiletries in your bathroom like the ones you get at the grocer for air travel. If someone needs something whether an overnight guest or not they don’t have to use your stuff.

Meal prep 4-5 of your days meals to save money so you can afford to spend time out socializing 2-3 days a week. It’ll help keep you disciplined diet wise and keep your portions regular and also help you establish a good food budget.

Beer and pizza to meet the neighbors is always a grand idea 💡

Working out gets you around people and avoids the depression. Take a walk. Seriously

Get a first aid kit if you dont already have one. It is absolutely not an item you can afford to not have when you need it.

Get a high quality lockbox and hang it out your door knob. Keep a copy of your house key in it. This way you won't have to worry about getting locked out of your apartment. You will also be able to give friends/coworkers access to your apartment when you aren't present.

Renter's insurance is good to have whether single or not.

Timers are awesome. I have timers for lamps in my living room and dining room so that they are always on when I get home. Not only is it nice not having to fumble around in the darkness, but the lights are a deterrent to any would-be cat burglars

It's a misconception that Introverts don't like people. Introverts can be very sociable. Introvert vs. Extrovert is about where you get your energy and where you spend it. Introverts recharge by having time alone. Extroverts recharge by spending time with others.

If having time alone is draining, you're an extrovert. If you like people/crowds but need to take a break after an hour or two, you're likely an introvert.

• You need a budget. You can make your own, or sign up for youneedabudget.com (not an advert, I use it and it transformed my personal finances).
• Learn to cook a few simple meals that you enjoy. Focus on things that are easy to make and/or freeze well. Restaurants/take-out are an expensive luxury. It's fine to order food once a week or so (if it's in your budget, see above), but don't make it your primary source of food. Seriously you don't need to be a chef to figure out how to make some basic meals.
• Craigslist, facebook marketplace, and thrift shops are great places to get essentials for cheap, particularly kitchenware. Keep an eye out for a week or two to get a feel for each in your area, then start contacting about listings you find interesting.
• Get a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Put them both out in the open where someone else can find them easily. The extinguisher should be near (but not inside) your kitchen.
• If your apartment is above ground level, then get an emergency ladder. The ladder doesn't have to reach the ground if you're high up. It just needs to let you get a story or two down/up, or to a nearby balcony.
• Select furniture that rolls, breaks down, or packs flat. Your mattress should be the bulkiest thing you own. This will make moving a LOT easier in the future.
• Don't paint your apartment. It's not worth it to paint back to greyige when you leave.
• Are you in high rises or other corporate-owned apartments? You can save yourself a LOT of money if you're willing to move around. When your landlord raises the rent (and they will, at the 1 year mark) move to another apartment in a different building. Take advantage of discounts like free months or introductory rates, then do it again a year later. People hate to move. So landlords offer sweet deals to get you in the door, and then take that deal away once they've "got" you. If you're not afraid to move you can save a TON of cash by bouncing apartments once per year.
• Apartment living is a great time to practice minimalism. The faster you can pack out, the more free you are. I used to be able to move (like, start to finish) in about 2 hours. This works great with the tip above.
• Despite the advice I just gave about Minimalism, this is your home. You should like how it looks/feels. Go a bit beyond just "functional". Avoid creating a bachelor pad. Add a little bit of décor, pick a few pieces of nice furniture, and try to move the feel of the place towards "neat" instead of "empty" or worse "a guy lives here". You should like how your place looks when you come home.
• Set yourself a wakeup time and (more important) a bedtime. Yes, like you're a kid. Why? Getting enough sleep is an essential part of good mental health.
• Make. Friends. Once you've got your apartment worked out, go out and socialize. Find clubs based around mutual interest and start participating in them.

A few people have mentioned it obliquely, but I'll come out and say it: Flat out refuse to accept a long-term guest.

It's one thing if a friend is visiting from out of town for a weekend (heck even a couple of weeks), as long as you know they're headed back again.

It's another thing entirely if they're moving to your area and "need a place to stay until they get settled". Same thing goes for new friends in your new town. Don't let people crash at your place.

This is really hard advice to give or to follow, because you'll feel like a monster when someone asks you for a place to stay and you say no. However, if you don't set a hard line on this, you're going to wind up with a roommate who doesn't pay the rent.

If it's ambiguous, then set a hard exit before letting them in "Of course you can crash at my place for the weekend. I can totally put you up until the 15th!". Setting clear expectations makes it easier to point out that they've overstayed their welcome.