Moving is never fun and trying to settle into a neighborhood can be really challenging. For most people, the first few months in their new neighborhood is spent trying to get the house fixed up and familiarizing themselves with their new environment. During this time, they often feel isolated because they don’t really know anyone. There’s no hangout spot they can go to and expect to see people they know nor any place where they can feel truly relaxed as if it were their second home.
This doesn’t have to be the case for you. Settling into your new neighborhood doesn’t have to be so hard. Here are 3 tips to help you blend in easily and make you feel right at home in your new area.
Get to know your neighbors
There’s really no better way to feel at home in your new neighborhood than to make new friends. Nothing beats those friendly smiles and waves when you pass people on the streets or in the shops. Prepare a little gift basket or a simple dish to share and knock on your neighbors’ doors to introduce yourself. This is the first step to getting to know the people around you. Be friendly and approachable, but don’t overdo it. That could make all your efforts go to waste as some people won’t like that.
Check your neighborhood out on Google Maps
During your free time away from unpacking and tidying up, go to Google Maps and check out your neighborhood and the areas around it. Look for shops you might like or activity centers that might have something for the family. Check out playgrounds if you have kids or the local library if there’s a bookworm in the family. Find new places you can go alone and some that you can take your family to.
Practice your new route
Try different routes on your way to work from your new home. This is the best way to find out which way is most efficient, most scenic, and most convenient. Make sure to leave earlier to give yourself enough time in case you get lost or get stuck in traffic somewhere. If you’re planning on using public transport, try using all your options one by one. This will also allow you to see which one is the best for your everyday commute. You can do this for your usual errands as well like the supermarket, bank, school, and more.
These are just some of the things you can do to make your new neighborhood feel more like home. You can also check if there are social media groups for the residents in your neighborhood and try to join those.