Whether you moved a few miles away or crossed the country, getting used to a new community isn’t always easy when you feel like the “odd man out.” Moving away from home comes with emotional challenges as you’re bound to miss your family, friends, and things you’re familiar with.
Adjusting to a new community can feel overwhelming when you don’t know anyone. The best thing you can do is jump right in and get acclimated as soon as possible.
Let’s dive into how you can make your new apartment/house feel more like home, and how to immerse yourself in a new community, so you’ll feel just as “at home” with your neighbors as you did in your previous town or city.
Focusing On Your Well-Being
Moving is a stressful life event. One survey found that 45% of respondents believe it to be the most stressful life event you can go through. When you’re renting a place in a completely different community, it’s not uncommon for your stress levels and anxiety to rise.
So, as you get used to your new place, make your mental and physical wellness your top priority. Keep yourself active and engaged by:
- Getting plenty of exercise
- Making socialization a priority
- Managing your expectations of excitement
- Doing things you enjoy
- Trying new things
- Practicing self-care
It’s also a good idea to build a positive relationship with your landlord. Whether you’re renting a house or apartment, you’ll have a lot less stress when you and your landlord are on good terms.
If your landlord seems strict or serious, don’t assume the worst. Instead, keep in mind that many property owners have been through a lot and may have a hard time trusting tenants at first. By staying positive, friendly, and responsible, you’ll have a more relaxed and less stressful relationship with your landlord.
Immersing Yourself in the Community
Since socialization should be a priority, get creative when it comes to meeting people. If you live in an apartment complex, this can be as simple as knocking on doors and introducing yourself to your neighbors.
You can also actively jump into community efforts by addressing a need. Get involved in a volunteer organization, put together a community event, or run for local office to be more involved in your community. Every town/city has projects that need to be taken care of. Figure out what they are and how they connect to the things you’re passionate about. When you’re willing to jump in and help, you’ll make friends quickly.
Once you get involved in a project, make sure you educate people by:
- Handing out flyers
- Publishing social media updates
- Canvassing door-to-door
- Having information tables at community events
When you choose to get involved in your new community, either by participating in or creating an event, you’ll accomplish several things at once. First, you’ll give yourself a purpose in your new place. You’ll also meet like-minded people with the same passion and drive. As a bonus, people will know who you are and what you stand for right away. That will make it much easier to make true, genuine friends and become a fixture within the community very quickly.
Making Your Place a Home
Feeling at home in a new community starts with your living space.
While you might not be able to do major renovation projects in a rental property, there are ways to improve and decorate them that can make you feel more comfortable and homey. Be sure to decorate for your personality. Paint the walls (if allowed) or use temporary wallpaper. Buy a few houseplants to brighten your space and improve your mood.
Most importantly, decorate with things that bring you happiness. Hang your favorite art pieces or tapestries, and use different colors to evoke positive emotions and memories.
When you feel more comfortable in your new space, you’ll have a “sanctuary” to turn to when things feel stressful or overwhelming. You’ll also be more likely to invite new friends over when you’re proud of your new home.
Getting acclimated to a new community can take time. While you can’t rush or force the process, you can make it easier on yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone – at least, at first.
Join an organization, go out of your way to talk to people, volunteer, or take a class somewhere locally. Anything you can do to meet others, learn more about your new community, and get involved will make your neighborhood feel more like home right away. It’s okay to have those moments of stress or “homesickness” for the place you came from. But, the sooner you acclimate yourself to your new location, the weaker those negative feelings will become.
