Making New Friends

If you’ve recently moved to a new home, you may need a little help learning about your new neighborhood. This can be a lonely endeavor, especially when you’re the “new kid on the block”. Here are six useful tips to help you meet new neighbors and transition into your new community.

1) Find the “common ground”

One of the easiest ways to meet people in your neighborhood is to find out where people gather and go there. If you’ve moved during the summer and your neighborhood has a pool, take a few hours away from your unpacking duties and literally get your feet wet.

Pay attention to the pattern of neighbors’ activities – do they sit on their front porches in the evenings? Gather at their mailboxes in the afternoons? Stop to chat while taking their morning walks? Once you notice a pattern, make sure you’re outside during these times so you’re available to meet them. And don’t forget, a nearby market or coffee shop might also be a local hangout.

2) Use your children

If you have children, it’s often easier to meet neighbors and to make new friends. Keep an eye out for parents of children who seem to be close in age to your own, then go introduce yourself and your kids.

Suggest a play date to get the kids (and the adults) acquainted. If school is in session, go to the bus stop to meet several other parents. Volunteering at school or joining the parent organization promises to connect you with other adults interested in the similar things.

3) Knock on doors

Your new neighbors may be interested in meeting you, but might feel like you’re too busy unpacking and settling in to be bothered with an unexpected visit. That’s why you need to take the first step by knocking on their doors.

Be sure to take a piece of paper with your name, the names of your family members and your phone number written down, and ask them to write down the same information for you. Then, it won’t be hard to remember names later.

If you need an excuse other than to just introduce yourself, inquire about trash or lawn service or request suggestions for area restaurants or exercise facilities. Remember to be considerate. If you see a neighbor get home with a carload full of groceries, you might want to wait until later to visit.

4) Volunteer

If you aren't meeting enough people in your neighborhood to satisfy your social cravings, or if you don’t live in a neighborhood setting, then cast your net a little wider by seeking out volunteer opportunities.

Your local Chamber of Commerce can give you a list of volunteer organizations or you can search on the Internet for organizations based on your personal interests. City Council meetings and Board of Education meetings also promise to be a good place to meet others who live in your community and they will be a wealth of information for you about your new surroundings.

5) Join a gym, exercise group or team

An exercise facility that offers a wide variety of classes and meeting times would also be a great way to meet others who are interested in physical fitness. Similarly, a community center could help you get connected in team or intramural sports, where you’re also likely to develop lasting friendships.

Depending on your appetite for exercise, you might also try to join a local running or walking club as an alternative to a gym membership. Communities with parks inevitably host active groups with a number of fitness interests.

6) Be a good neighbor

One of the best ways to make new friends is to be a good friend and neighbor. On move-in day, be considerate about where you park your car and moving truck so you don’t block a driveway or cause a neighbor’s mail to go undelivered. In the days that follow, don’t leave lots of trash sitting by your curb without checking to see when it will be picked up.

Expect that some people will drop in to introduce themselves and their timing might not be the best. Be courteous, thank neighbors for coming by and invite them in if at all possible. It may help to have a few glasses or coffee mugs unpacked so you can “entertain” these visitors briefly. And don’t forget to promptly send thank you cards to anyone who drops off bagels, a casserole or other welcoming gifts.