The Path To Developing A Sense Of Community Starts Online

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I find having friends and knowing your surroundings go hand in hand when it comes to making a place feel like home. I have talked about how and where to find and make friends now I want to talk about how to get on the fast track to knowing your new surroundings and feeling comfortable within them.

Just as I mentioned at the beginning of the finding friends section, getting settled in your community is going to go a lot faster if you take the time before you even leave your current home to find out what your new home has to offer.

Google your new town. Google your new county. Google your new state. This way you can make a mental map of what is not only within walking distance but what is within driving distance. I find the farther out you know the more at home you feel.

Like all the Facebook pages of local businesses and community associations. Dig into the area’s history.

Go on Google earth and get an idea of the lay out of the land. Visit a good road map site and get to know your area. Look it up on Wikipedia and get to  know the local stats. How many people live there? What are the areas major employers?

By the time you pack up and are hitting the road towards your new home you will already feel like you are meeting an online friend rather than a virtual stranger.

This post is part of the New Town to Hometown series. Use the links below to dig into the series.

Introduction: My Story

Part One: Becoming Friend Worthy

1. It all begins with fellowship with God
2. The most important lesson in friendship building
3. Are you welcoming?
4. Create mutual bonds
5. Meet a need and make a friend
6. Don’t try to look perfect
7. Not everyone is going to be your friend

Part Two: Places To Find Friends

1. Start the search online
2. Church
3. Community
4. MOPS
5. Homeschooling groups
6. Be the neighbor with the active porch swing
7. Breaking the ice and setting goals

Part Three: Creating Community

1. Research before you leave (you are here)

2.Visit your new local visitors center

3. Make a to see list

4.Take a Sunday drive

5.Study the areas history

6.Take part in all things local

7.Explore local state parks and playgrounds

Silly Stories Of My Moving Adventure

1. It is going to be a long trip
2. When you give a two year old a marker
3. I was a soap opera star for just one day
4. A sign that the long trip was about to end
5. What happens when your landmarks become cornfields