Galway Advertiser 1990/1990_06_28/GA_28061990_E1_010.pdf 

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THE LURE OF THE BRIGHT LIGHTS
M e n t i o n y o u a r e l e a v i n g the f a m i l y nest a n d m o v i n g to the nearest city a n d people w i l l i n v a r i a b l y b e g i n t o t a l k a b o u t t h e f r e e d o m it w i l l o f f e r y o u t o l i v e y o u r o w n life--to l o o k f o r a g o o d j o b , s t a r t a c a r e e r , see a b i t o f t h e w o r l d , b e y o u r o w n p e r s o n a t last.
Few will care to mention the reverse side of the coin - dirty, crowded streets, polite but unfriendly peo ple, aching loneliness, responsibility of looking after yourself. The transition to city life can be made a great deal easier if a little advance planning and some prac tical steps precede the move. The first thing you should do is decide exact ly why you want to move to the city. If you intend to go to college, you will have a good back-up service there. If you've got a new job, it shouldn't take you too long to make friends in your new workplace. The person who leaves home on the spur of the moment, maybe after a row, and runs away, is the one who is most likely to encounter problems. Alone, in a strange place, with no job, no money and no contacts is a daunting experience. LIVING ALONE Assuming you are mov ing for the right reasons, your first conideration is money. Living in a city, stay with friends, but unless it is an agreed agreement, you may find your welcome wearing pretty thin after a few weeks. Buy a large map of your adopted city once you ar rive and try to acquaint yourself with its layout. This will help you when the Recruitment Agencies and scan the evening papers to see what's available. While you wait for a job offer, you could consider "temping" or working part-time in a bar or restaurant. It will pay your bills and increase your work experience. Flats are snapped up the first decent flat they see, but it pays to be careful and watch out for things like dampness, types of heating, clothes drying facilities, whether the landlord lives downstairs, and is she/he appears reasonable. If you decide to live alone, you need to be ly soul mates, flat sharing teaches you to be tolerant and flexible. As you share the same living space, you need to show proper con sideration for the other members of your flat. Remember to take on your share of the household chores, such as washing up, shopping, know your neighbours and try to establish good rela tions with them. If you have a party, let them know in advance, or better still, invite them along. If the party goes on late, try to keep noise levels down especially after midnight. If there is a "kitty" for

Aisling House, 2 Augustine Street, Galway 091-W

The Freedom of life on your own versus the responsibility of looking after yourself
any city, is expensive. There are accommoda tion, food, transport, heating, clothing bills for a start. It is wise to bring a few hundred pounds (if you can scrape it together) with you to tide you over the first week or two, un til job and accommodation problems are sorted out. Most landlords require deposits on flats and this could put a big hole in your pocket. One of the best ways to get used to city life, is to you are looking for flats and buses. Ask a friend or write to the Tourist Board to get small maps and ci ty guides showing shops, pubs, and places of interest. If you already have a job, then you can set about making new friends and exploring your new surroundings. If you are between jobs, check that you have suitable skills and qualifications for the job you want. Register with all almost as fast as the advertisement goes into the paper, so planning is needed for success. Have plenty of 20p pieces ready and position yourself near the distribution centres of the evening or local papers. Once the paper hits the streets, run to the nearest kiosk and start telephoning. LIVING ALONE It's wise to turn up earreasonably well off, like your own company and not prone to irrational fears. If you don't make an effort to mix and build up a decent social life, you'll spend most nights at home with the portable telly, wat ching the paint dry. If you get ill or lonely, you'll have to fend for yourself. Sharing a flat is cheaper and more cheerful. If you are lucky enough to share with a like mind, you'll have a wonderful time. Even if you are not exactcleaning or putting out the dustbin. If you do have anti social habits, such as smoking, listening to loud music or learning to play the violin, think again about your flatmates who may not share your tastes. Remember you have neighbours and try to avoid any unnecessary friction. Loud music, blasting all night, banging doors, and overflowing dustbins are frequent causes of annoyance. Make a point of getting to food, shared heating and electricity bills, it is impor tant that everyone pays a full share and that dif ferences in consumption, absences from the flat etc are openly and fairly ac counted for, otherwise un necessary resentment can build up. Don't automatically assume that your flat mates will welcome your boyfriend/girlfriend for long week-ends at their ex pense. e the courtesy of asking their permission first.
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