If you’re moving into a new neighborhood, these tips will help you find your place within your community — and make it feel even more like home. After having moving into the perfect home, you’re finally ready for the best part: exploring your new neighborhood without worrying about boxes and the stress of the buying process! Here’s what you should do in your first weeks in a new place to help make it your home sweet home.

Get your bills in order to ease the transition

You probably had the essentials switched over to your name so you wouldn’t be without them on move-in day. But you’ll need to make appointments for other services, like cable or home security, right after you move in. Other essentials may also have slipped off your radar, like neighborhood trash pickup dates.

Find your local resources that could help you

Even if you’re very organized, there will always be items, like extension cords and towel rods, that you will need to pick up quickly to make sure that you feel settled! Your first week is the best time to seek out these essentials and more. You’ll no doubt become well-acquainted with the nearby hardware store, but you’ll also want to stock that new fridge at the local grocery store, make friends with the barista at the neighborhood coffee shop, and hit the closest post office to have your mail forwarded. Finding the closer places to do daily tasks can help cut down on wasted time in the car!

Meet the neighbors around you

Meeting your neighbors- both those next-door and down the street- will give you some comfort in knowing who is around you. Neighbors are a great resource for finding out where all the local hot spots are, where to go for necessary services, fun local hotspots, and more. If you have children, this will also help them meet the neighborhood kids their age and start making friends.

Find your community online and in-person

Nextdoor, Whatsapp, and neighborhood or community groups on Facebook are an easy way to start following what’s happening in your new neighborhood. A subscription to the local city magazine can’t hurt either. This way, you can stay on top of community events, safety issues, and meet more neighbors! And if you don’t like being active online? Head to your local library or coffee shop and scope out the bulletin boards for upcoming events or local businesses to try.

Study the neighborhood rules

Before you jump into those home improvement projects which often crop up after a move, make sure they’re not against the rules of your homeowners’ association (HOA) or local zoning laws. If you live in a historic district, you may even have to get your paint colors approved! And be careful not to overlook those easy-to-forget loose ends.

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