Subscriptions and Services: A Survival Guide for First-Time City Dwellers

If you’ve recently moved to a big city, you’re probably overwhelmed by your new surroundings. Not only have you just moved, but you need to settle in, get into the groove of things, and start a new chapter in your life. While trying to get a footing into your new life, you will realize the importance of shopping. Getting the food you like, your taste in clothes, or even having a retail adventure can be hard in a city you are not familiar with.

Also, if you live in New York or another busy metropolitan area, you likely don’t own a car. Especially when it comes to errands like grocery shopping, using public transportation with shopping bags in hand can be impractical. This is why subscription boxes and services are so popular with city dwellers. Here are some to consider:

What is a Subscription Box?

Generally speaking, a subscription box periodically delivers physical products in a box. The service is designed to create an experience, and add value on top of the products offered.

Most providers start by giving you a survey to determine your taste and preferences. Subscribers will be given an option for a once-off purchase, monthly subscription, or three and six-month subscriptions.

Subscription boxes are a great way to shop and discover new, sometimes unique products, and also new ways to save time and money. A subscription box may hold just about anything, for example, snacks, makeup and grooming products, clothes, home decor, wine, cooking ingredients, and a lot of other stuff.

Subscription boxes are a trend being driven by young people living in cities who want to discover new things and save money or time.

1. Meal Kits

The most recognized subscription boxes would be meal kits. Under the service, you will receive portioned and sometimes partially prepared food ingredients. The box will come with a recipe card so that you can make the meal at home.

It splits the difference between cooking for yourself and ordering out, giving you the best of both worlds; convenience and enjoying the process of cooking. The meal box market has grown substantially to include a variety of options for types of food, dietary restrictions, budgets, and so on. You can order what you know and love or opt for new recipes that can challenge your cooking skills and taste buds.

2. Groceries

Grocery subscription boxes are similar to meal kits except that the products are uncooked and still packaged. It is perfect for those who prefer a more hands-on approach or selecting a more diverse menu than meal kits offer. The boxes can include more than food ingredients so they can also carry things like toiletries and snacks.

In these COVID-19 times, grocery delivery is kind of indispensable to many people who can’t or don’t want to go to a grocery store. You can find the right grocery delivery service for your needs, then get all your grocery shopping delivered right to your doorstep.

3. Clothes

Imagine you are in a new city with a climate your wardrobe isn’t suited for, or you have events lined up that you need to get outfitted for. Finding the right shops, with your kind of styles, can be a nightmare in a new city.

Fortunately, with this type of subscription box, every month you get a curated package of clothing items based on your style preferences. It’s like having your own personal stylist that will deliver clothing, shoes, and accessories. This specific subscription box usually has a return policy, so you pay for what you like and return what you don’t like.

This is an excellent service for busy people. Shopping can be a fun pastime, but it’s also a drag for many people. Outsourcing this task to someone else can result in you keeping up a fresh, fashionable wardrobe without spending a lot of time at the store.

4. Wine or Alcohol

Another perfect delivery service for younger people is wine subscription boxes which come with a case of wines based on your preferred flavors or palette. The bottles of wine will come with information packets about the selection so you can learn more about them.

If you do not know a lot about wine or spirits right now, then this is a great way to learn. It’s also a fun way to fuel your social life.

Boxed Experiences

Subscription boxes are ideal for those who have busy lives and still want to have social experiences. Subscription boxes can also be functional by providing unique curated products that customers may not have been exposed to. There is no limit to what can be in a box, so you can get just about anything. Pick one and unbox a whole new experience.