Whether you're moving across the country or just across town, becoming acquainted with a new neighborhood and an established community can be a daunting task. Every town has its small quirks, authentic dives, and community development excitements, but how can you, as a newcomer, get in on this news? We've got some ideas for you! Here are some tips for learning your new 'hood like a native in record time.
- Walk everywhere! If you live in an urban community such as EYA's Old Town Commons, nearly everything you need is just a few steps from your front door. Instead of driving around your new ‘hood, take a few weekend mornings to take long leisurely walks to some of your neighborhood destinations. Don't worry about taking the quickest route - the joy is the journey! Just be sure to bring a map so you can get home.
- Subscribe to local newspapers! Reading about local news and people will allow you to get a pulse about what’s been on the minds of the long-standing locals, plus give you ideas on places you might want to visit in the future.
- Nearby neighborhood news on the World Wide Web. Local print resources are great, but you can’t get more candid and up-to-date info on your new neighborhood than from your local area community bloggers. Many neighborhoods have active online communities that can help you learn about community meetings and goings-on on in the neighborhood. Check out our Blogroll on the right side of our blog page to see some of our favorite community bloggers from SE, Brookland, and more. Another great resource is the Patch network, a community-specific news and information platform. Find your community's Patch here.
- Do as the locals do! Avoid the familiar. Make it a point to eat at only nonchain restaurants until you feel familiar with your new surroundings. This will help you become an unofficial expert on local cuisine and allow you to find your favorite unique hotspots. Plus, you can give restaurant advice to your new neighbors who might also be new to town.
- Invite the neighbors over! You probably feel like you hardly know anyone and we bet you're not the only one feeling that way. Meet and mingle with your new neighbors and make some new friends while learning about what others on your street have found in the neighborhood. While you all may be relatively new to the community if you’re living in a new development, your combined knowledge can prove to be plentiful!