Guys, how do you get used to a new area?

14 comments

1. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as everyone adjusts to new surroundings in their own way. However, some tips that may help include exploring your new area, meeting new people, and getting involved in local activities. Additionally, try to keep an open mind and be patient as you settle into your new home.

2. Urinate on things… claw trees… generally mark your territory.

   But seriously…

   1. Drive around and familiarize yourself with a 10 mile radius of your home (or walk, or public transit, depending on your needs).

   2. Purposefully take different routes home from work.

   3. Try new restaurants or places of interest.

3. I do some exploring! And I’ll put myself out there to meet new people too. I’d focus on doing hobbies that I like and meeting people there. Also meet ladies whole out.

4. I remember reading somewhere that it takes around 3 months to feel adjusted enough to a new place to consider it home. Take some time to walk around, find a few local spots you can frequent, and see what events are going on in your area. It’s a tough adjustment and you’ve gotta force yourself to be more outgoing than you might normally be. You got this.

5. Yeah. It took me a year to learn to get around my new city.

6. I have always got a map and on an off day drive around and at least get an idea of the major roads. You will also find out the areas of town to stay out of.

7. Exposure therapy, basically.

   And no, if you’re finding it a bit overwhelming, that’s normal. You’ll push through it. In 10 years, if you move on, you’ll find yourself missing it.

8. Do stuff with people from the place

9. I’ve moved cities and countries multiple times and yes, it’s completely normal. It takes a couple of months to find your footing and full year to feel properly established in my opinion.

   Go for walks and explore the area so you know it better (even just boring residential streets). Try and find some kind of local group to join if there is one so you can start to feel a bit like you’re in a community (e.g. running, sports, evening classes, a religious assembly if that’s your thing, volunteering, etc).

   The weirdest thing in my experience is actually going back to where you *used* to live after you’ve had loads of new experiences, only to find nothing has changed.

10. Thanks for the comments everyone, I just went out for a walk round and ended up being out for 2 hours (they take bonfire night and fireworks pretty seriously here).

    It looks like it is just a case of getting used to things.

    As for meeting new people, I’ve never been a very social person (shock horror, a redditor is anti social) so need to push myself a bit more.

    Saturday night isn’t the night for meeting people when you don’t drink though because everyone is either drunk or getting drunk.

11. It takes a couple months to finally get comfortable with a new area. Relish the fact that everything around you is new. You’re creating a new routine with new stores, bars, restaurants, whatever it is. Go for a walk in your new area and get to know it on a personal level. Enjoy it!

12. I spend majority of my time exploring…hoping i don’t kill myself along the way

13. Walking or running new routes is good exercise and you cover a lot of ground. Try a different coffee shop every day for a while. Join a local sports team to get you out of the house and talking to some people.

14. A new area is wcary, so you aren’t overreacting.

    I would find a location other than your home (restaurant, library, shop, etc.) that acts as a central, fixed point. From this point, explore your new environment every Friday afternoon/evening. This lets you explore your new environment in a manner that would make it hard for you to ger lost. Invest one hour per exploritory session, this should be long enough to do major exploring but not so long as to be arduous. And WALK to explore. Exercise is useful, and the better you get, the more you can explore during your hour.