Building a new life in a new community
In this guest post, Einat Mazafi offers suggestions about how to adjust
to a new community and make friends after moving.
Moving is a time of upheaval in one’s life. Once it’s over, that feeling of being unsettled may continue, as it can be a struggle to adjust to an entirely new community. After the boxes are unpacked and everything is in its place, it’s time to concentrate on getting out there and discovering what your new town has in store for you. By reaching out, immersing yourself in what you love and finding ways to participate in your new community, you’ll be on your way to feeling right at home in no time.
Making new friends
As an adult making new friends is not always an easy task. Start with a few places where you regularly find yourself, and reach out to others around you:
- Work: Even if you never end up spending time together outside the office, having a solid group of office pals will build your network professionally, and can give you a support group on the job. Introduce yourself to some of the colleagues you’ll be working closely with, and ask if they can share their favorite lunch spots close by to start building these important relationships.
- Church: Attending a religious service is a great way to meet like-minded people in your new community. Chances are, they will also have groups within the church more specific to your needs, such as ones for singles or for parents. You’re sure to find some people willing to show you around town there, and the start to some new friendships to boot.
- Clubs and activities: Using your passions and hobbies as a guide, put yourself out there and get involved in some local clubs or activities where you can meet people with the same interests. If you enjoy hiking, for instance, your local hiking society likely hosts weekly or monthly excursions that you can join for free. Try finding your new town’s Meetup, Reddit, or Craigslist pages to find other groups of interest near you.
Community participation
Outside of making friends, nothing else can really connect you with a new place like getting involved. Volunteering is a great way to spend your time doing something positive for the community and to meet good people while you’re at it. By doing real good for your new town, you’ll build a sort of kinship with it, and know that you’re helping to make it a better place – a place you’ll be happy to call home.
The bonus of this is, of course, meeting other people with whom you’ll be working alongside. Volunteering bonds you over the shared experience of participating in a common good, and is an excellent way to seek out those who have an interest in engaging in something greater than themselves.
Get out and explore
Finally, sometimes it’s as simple as putting on your shoes and getting out the door to get you started on the path to feeling at home in your new city, and toward meeting new people. If you’re a foodie, search online for the best, or newest, in local fare that your town has to offer, and don’t be afraid to visit establishments alone. Bibliophiles may meet others who appreciate a good read in the local book store, and coffee shops are a tried-and-true way to meet others. Pursue what you love and you’re sure to find others with common interests.
Whatever it is you enjoy, go out and do it, alone or not. When you put yourself out there and start to experience all your new surroundings has to offer, you’ll assimilate into your community quickly and make new friends to start exploring with much more easily. Remember that nothing will happen if you just stay at home; open that door and go out!
About the author:
Einat Mazafi is the owner of NY Moving, a moving company based in New York. She is a specialist in providing relocation solutions to clients.
Have you found successful ways to make new friends after a move?
Category: MAKING FRIENDS
All excellent suggestions. It really helps immensely to be proactive. Friendships won’t come to us, so we have to be active to go out and establish them.