Moving to a new location can be exhilarating! New restaurants to try, new parks to explore, and new friends to meet. But it can also be a little intimidating. Not everyone is an extrovert who is unphased by trying novel things and meeting people. Here are some helpful tips for exploring your new location within your comfort zone:
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- Book Clubs – There a few ways to find a book club. A good place to start is your local library. Libraries offer well organized monthly calendars of events where you may even find a free class on learning a new language or craft skill! Another option would be to search Meetup.com, a helpful site dedicated to making connections over shared interests. Our Swift Petworth community hosts a regular book club with their residents.
- Volunteering – There is nothing quite like sharing a passion for a cause that brings people together. Whether you are an animal lover or want to help mold young minds, there is likely an organization nearby that would value your help! Large organizations tend to have local chapters or events that are easily accessible. VolunteerMatch.org is a great tool for finding an opportunity. Our Highland House and Highland House West communities are located in Friendship Village in Chevy Chase and there are plenty of opportunities to engage with the community.
- Sports Leagues – Recreational sports leagues for adults are wildly popular. A quick internet search of “sports leagues near me” will provide you with dozens of nearby options to explore. Many clearly distinguish the level of competition so you can find a team that meets your desires, from casual to highly competitive. Our Brighton Village Community sponsors a rugby team that went to the finals in their league last year.
- Facebook Groups – You are trying to get out and about in the community, so why not ask your neighbors for recommendations? It’s very common to find a Facebook Group that is dedicated to residents of a certain geographic area. You might have to request to join your neighborhood’s group and then the group administrator will grant access. An example of something you could post in the group is, “Hello, I am new to the area and would love to join a gardening club. Does anyone have any recommendations?”. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many people are eager to help a newcomer with suggestions! All of our communities are on Facebook and “liking” the page can keep you up-to-date with events and activities, like the ones hosted at Congressional Towers.
- Apps and Websites – Along with Meetup and VolunteerMatch, there are a plethora of other technologies dedicated to helping people meet new friends. Other apps and websites include TeaWithStrangers.com, Friender, and Meet My Dog. Our Country Place Apartments community is pet-friendly and even has its own Bark Park.
- Review Websites – Does anyone go to a restaurant without first checking Google Reviews, Yelp, and/or TripAdvisor? Probably not. Utilize the power of people sharing their experiences to gauge “must try” restaurants in your new town. You can also pay it forward and leave your own reviews to help future new residents like yourself. Our Bethesda Place community is perfected located in downtown and surrounded by top restaurants and pop-up eateries.
- Local Events – Municipalities tend to have their own websites with a calendar of events ranging from farmer’s markets to community concerts. When you live in or near a big city like Washington DC, it can be all the more simple to browse their tourism site such as Washington.org.
Getting involved in the new place you call home doesn’t have to be a scary feat! Set a goal for yourself to try one new restaurant a month or attend two different club meetings. You’ll be on your way to creating wonderful connections. When you live in a Polinger Company apartment community you will benefit from events being held right in your building! From paint nights to food drives, there are ways to get involved with your neighbors. Find your new Washington DC or Maryland apartment home here.