Six ways to start over in a new city this year

want to walk in nature every day or go to a gym with all the trimmings? Is it important to you to not spend much time in the car, or is a commute okay with you?

You may discover as you consider your needs and learn more about your new city that you are actually best suited to live in a different suburb, and that’s okay too.

BECOME A REGULAR

We humans are social creatures and having a few friendly faces around town that you recognise will help you to feel more comfortable. If you’ve found a great cafe, why not go there and get your coffee every day for a while?

Similarly, you’ll soon need a new hairdresser, doctor, dentist, beautician, and the like.

So start early, find somewhere you like, and keep going back. These relationships, though casual, will help to anchor you.

PRIORITISE MAKING FRIENDS

Meeting friends through activities is a great way to find people who you already have common ground with, so if you have any established hobbies, look for clubs or social groups around these.

Similarly, if you have kids, enlisting them in hobbies will help them to make friends too. Relocating can be a particularly lonely experience for children, so do make an effort to help them make new friends.

An easy way to do that is by throwing a barbecue at your new house and inviting the neighbours, particularly those with children, to come round for the afternoon. Break out a paddling pool or some bits for blowing bubbles and let the little ones get to it. You may find that you have nothing in common with the people next-door, but you kids might make friends for life.

PUSH YOURSELF TO SAY YES

Now is the time to say “Yes”. So if someone invites you somewhere, do go. It’s easy to stay within the confines of our own homes and schedules, but putting yourself out there will help you to get established quicker.

DO WHAT THE LOCALS DO

Finally, to really get a sense for a place, do what the locals do, at least a few times. If life in your new city seems to revolve around the beach or weekend sport or even going out at night, give it a go at least a few times.

Try on their approach to living like a new shirt and see if there’s anything in it for you.

New year, new town? Here’s how to get started settling in. Now is a great time to join a group activity like yoga. It’ll fill up your calendar and help you to make new friends.

If you have children, plan an afternoon with some fun kids activities and invite the neighbours and their broods. Friendships will be forged. Left: Do you want your new lifestyle to prioritise the outside? Time to find out where the best walking tracks are.