How long does it take to learn a new city or area?

[Bubble99]

I was wondering how long it takes for one to be able to travel the city really well and not get lost.

The city I live in with population of 300,000 is a smaller city so it does mot take long to learn the roads that run more than two miles long. But people who move to a new city than well how long does it take to learn say a city like Miami, Houston, Seattle or Dallas so on.

Anyone here moved to new city and ran into problems and how long did it take for you to learn new city area.

 

[chscag]

Let me put it to you this way..... I've been living in the DFW area here in Texas for the past 33 years and I still can't find my way around Dallas without a GPS or "Waze".

 

[glenthompson]

A city of that size can take awhile. It also depends on how well you can internalize the streets and landmarks. Studying maps of the area and driving (or biking) different routes can help. I just moved to a smaller town last fall and it’s taking me longer to learn my way around due to reduced trips caused by the pandemic.

 

[jeyf]

-cities like salt lake city or albuquerque are easier. you look up and see an affirming mountain reange and you know your direction
-I iusally keep to a few city streets i know well. 4example; if I want to head sough throough the middle of the city I take Washington St. The stop lights are well timed, Washington is one way, the stop signs are all 4 way.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Let me put it to you this way..... I've been living in the DFW area here in Texas for the past 33 years and I still can't find my way around Dallas without a GPS or "Waze".

20 years in the same are (DWF)… same situation.

 

[Gregg2]

It's impossible to generalize, as there are too many factors, including how often you go out and how much time you have to devote to learning about your surroundings. Also, some places are just not planned well, and most people have trouble getting around in them forever, such as one suburb here that flummoxes me every time I have to go there. Plus, relying on a GPS might in fact decrease your internalized knowledge of streets and addresses.

 

[Mousse]

It only took me a few days to memorize the major highways (I-10, I-45, US59, US225, US288, 610 Loop, Beltway 8, Highway 6) in Houston; a year for it to become second nature. Well known streets (Westheimer, Bellaire, Main Street and so on) took about a year or so because they interconnect with the highways and I don't go there often. Smaller streets? Unless it's somewhere I've gone dozens of times, GPS bro.

 

[AngerDanger]

I instantly reach my maximum level of familiarity with areas upon arrival.

That's just how bad I am with directions.

 

[Bubble99]

Looking at google street view can help well guessing what street you are on, than checking it to see if you got it right or not.

With google street view you can look at the buildings and landmarks on the street. And the buildings and landmarks will help.

The only problem with google street view is it takes lot of bandwidth because it is in HD and you looking at millions of pictures.

So if you are spending three hours a day on google street view looking at Dallas or Miami you going to eat up lot of your ISP bandwidth.

 

[danakin]

My $0.02
Tokyo, probably 7 years
Green Bay, probably 45 minutes
Size matters

 

[max2]

1 hour