5 Ways to Establish Yourself in a New Town
What activities can help you become part of a new community after moving?
Tackling a big move to a new state or even just a new neighborhood requires a good deal of courage, and taking the steps to actually enmesh yourself in your new community requires even more. Although the growing pains can feel awkward, getting out and making connections truly creates the feeling of home and contributes to the intentional lifestyle you work hard to build. Here are some ideas for getting connected and established.
Network
Befriending colleagues, setting up lunches and coffees with people in your industry, and seeking out local networking groups that align with your interests are all great ways to make connections in your new community while also furthering your career.
Both in-person and virtual events take place constantly in most industries. Sites like meetup.com and even Facebook or LinkedIn groups often set up events and meetings for members to forge new friendships and connections.
Join clubs or leagues
In addition to networking events, sites like meetup.com make finding people with similar interests and hobbies a breeze. Looking to learn a new language, play poker, head out on a hike, or drop in on pickup soccer games? It’s all there and easy to join!
If you’d rather not coordinate through an app or website, most cities are also full of more established clubs and leagues. Team sports for all levels, bar games, running clubs and more are generally easy to find and meet regularly enough to form some true friendships and begin getting to know people in your new city. Odds are, you’ll have more in common with your fellow teammates than just the activity itself!
Attend community events
From farmer’s markets and craft fairs to holiday parades and trivia nights, many cities offer a vast array of activities that are open to the public. These can feel a bit more daunting to show up to alone, but for those who love the thrill of forming connections or the extroverts looking for a challenge, these are great ways to put yourself out there, meet new people in your community, and have fun while doing it!
Not into showing up alone? Events like this also make for great first-time hangouts with anyone from your leagues or networking groups who you’d like to spend more time with!
Volunteer
A step up from attending community events? Helping to put them together! Joining a board or committee in your neighborhood to help plan and orchestrate events or tackle community issues is a surefire way to get to know your new neighborhood better while also enmeshing yourself automatically in the culture and framework of your new home.
Community organization not your jam? Volunteering with any organization up your alley will get you in front of new people and help you connect. Whatever cause you are passionate about - animals, education, job opportunity - you can likely find a way to volunteer for.
Find a few favorite hangouts
The key to forming new relationships is consistency! Sometimes feeling like a part of your new community is as simple as showing up to the same coffee shop a few times a week to get some work done, or popping in to the same lunch spot. Seeing other regulars and getting to know the staff will quickly make you feel at home, and will likely help you make a few new connections!
At Atmos, we help you build the home of your dreams so you can be a part of your ideal community. Build intentionally, from design to construction, when you build with Atmos.
