Savor Being a Tourist While You’re Settling into Your New Home 
Fantastic! Your
household move is done. You’re in your new home and starting to get your stuff unpacked and placed where you want them. That’s a lot to do, for sure. But there is yet another thing you should be doing. And the earlier you do it, the cheerier you’ll be. You should be getting familiar with your new hometown.
One would hope you researched where you’d be going when you first determined or first were informed you had to move. Now that you’re here, though, it’s time to really adapt …
- Take a walk and explore your new neighborhood – get to know the “lay of the land,” say “Hi!” to the neighbors, locate nearby parks and recreation areas, figure out the shortests route to your children’s’ schools (either by foot or by car)
- Find the closest businesses to satisfy your needs – supermarkets, shopping malls, gas stations, movie theaters coffee shops, fast food places, restaurants, libraries, bookstores, and so on
- Visit the closest “Welcome Center” and pick up brochures highlighting local attractions that resonate with you – art museums, historical museums (most of all those focused on local history), sports arenas, bike and walking trails, convention centers, and theaters or auditoriums devoted primarily to stage presentations, for instance
But then, one of the speediest and easiest (if less vivid and personal) ways to learn about your new community isn’t by foot or by car – it’s by way of the Internet. Google, Google Maps, Yelp, and Citysearch are among today’s most used online resources for finding local attractions. They’ll lead you to^pinpoint}78} all the most popular gathering places your community has to offer. Don’t just take the word of online reviews, though. Personally check out the recommended places and decide for yourself whether you like them or not.
Not really comfortable with the Internet or phone apps? That’s no problem, just stay with actual physical exploration. That’s usually the best way to get acquainted with a place, anyhow. Heading out and speaking with people in person generally leaves a much stronger impression than does picking information off a computer or phone screen. Still, the Internet can at least give you a clue to what’s going on.
Here’s another thought. If you truly want to get acquainted with people in your new hometown, look for local clubs and organizations that reflect your interests, your hobbies, or your worldview and join them. You might also consider involving yourself in one or another local community service, making yourself useful to the school system, daycare centers, nursing homes, homeless shelters, rescue missions, government agencies, or whatever might best suit your talents. Funny thing about community service (and you just know it’s true!): what you give to the community has a way “giving back” to you. And it won’t be long before you start feeling that your new hometown is home indeed and you’re a tourist there no more.
