Settling into a new city or town is hard. It’s even more difficult if you don’t know anybody. It takes time to learn how to have conversations with new people, the first step to meeting new friends. However, there are tricks to making your transition from stranger to knowledgeable local quicker and easier.
Follow the Local Team(s)
Even if you aren’t a sports fan, being aware of the trials and tribulations of the local teams can help greatly in sparking conversations with others. If a team is doing well, it’s even more important. Plus, sports are often a good reason to get out into your community. Go see a game or watch it on the big screen at a local bar. Use it as an excuse to ignite a conversation, then transition it to other topics, if you’d prefer.
Explore nature
Your new town will almost certainly have some pride in its local nature. All towns do. Whether it be a forest preserve, a national park, a nice beach, an epic tree, a leg-busting hike or a awe-inspiring drive, get out and observe the nature around you. Once you do, you’ll have more to share and relate to those around you.
Read the News
It sounds simple, but most people don’t take the time to read the local sections of their newspapers. If you do, though, you will be kept up to date with the biggest issues in your community, which will translate to conversations. At the least, you will not be left with a blank stare when somebody brings up an recent issue. Seriously, though, checking the local section or a local weekly can take as little as 20 minutes a week.
Check out our website for more tips on settling into a new town.
