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Moving to a new community

• Jun 01 2016
• 3 Comments

Acclimatising to your new area can take some time and adjustment. Navigating your way around at first may feel a bit disorientating. It may take a little time before you feel truly comfortable in your new community, but it will happen. For any children involved in the move, they may require particular attention in aspects such as school, local sports, local parks and forming new friendships.

Men that Move suggest following these handy hints for a smoother adjustment;

• Keep up your normal routine. Especially if children are involved. Continue as normal for bedtime routines, morning routines etc. This will help keep some familiar normality in the new home.
• Look for your hobbies and interests in the area. For instance the local footy team, local netball team or Mothers group. Getting to know new people can be made easier if they have similar interests to you.
• For children the above point is also applied. Joining them up to the local sports or scouts group will help them to make a wider circle of new friends. And help to build upon new school friends. Of course if your child has never had an interest in basketball, don’t sign them up now!
• Look for a business network group in the area that has your interests. This can help with your business or work, but often friends are made in these network groups.
• Volunteer in your new community. This is one of the best ways to make new friendships and make a positive difference to your new community.
• Contact your local council and discover the local community groups. It may be hobby groups, support groups or education classes. This is a great way to meet new people.

Discover and Explore Your New Surroundings

There are so many ways to explore your new area. Take your dog for a walk to the local dog park. Go Geo-caching and find hidden treasures, walk to the local parks or walk to the local shops. If walking isn’t an option, all of these can be done by driving as well. Just getting yourself and family out and about will help to familiarise the new sights and sounds of the neighbourhood.

One of the first steps that may feel a little daunting if you are shy is often right next door. Knock on your neighbours doors and introduce yourself. You have an easy opening and introduction opportunity. The best advice though is don’t leave this too late. Your neighbours will be aware you have recently moved in and probably on the lookout to introduce themselves also. It may be a bit awkward if you knock on their door 2 months after you have moved in. Maybe they won’t end up being close friends or even close to being friends. But at least you have taken a step in getting to know your neighbourhood, even if it is just one knock next door.