Finding my feet in a new neighbourhood
OPINION: My family recently moved from one Big Smoke to a Slightly Smaller Smoke. It’s been a big shift, both physically and mentally, and three weeks in I’m finding my feet in a city I never thought I’d call home.
Our two kids have settled into their new school and childcare centre like absolute champs which has made the transition so much easier than it could have been. But becoming one with my neighbourhood hasn’t been quite as easy.
After living in Auckland for all of my adult life and knowing my neighbourhood inside out and upside down, discovering the nearest supermarket and petrol stations, knowing where the best eateries are, finding a new hairdresser and dentist, and just generally understanding how life works down here have been surprisingly daunting.
I went to the mall for the first time last week and accidentally drove the wrong way down the one-way parking lane. I pulled out in front of a car because I didn’t realise there were two right-turning lanes at the roundabout. I went on a much longer walk than I intended last weekend because I thought there was a bridge to get back onto the side of the river I needed to be on – and there wasn’t. I almost missed rubbish day on our first week here too and if you’ve ever moved house you’ll know how much trash you need to get rid of that first week!
But with the awkward, annoying, and sometimes dangerous comes the good. I work from home so I’ve been able to explore my local area a little more than my husband who mostly works from his new office. I’ve had solo lunches at various cafes around the place.
I’ve had a haircut consultation at a salon that’s right across the street. I’ve found the supermarket and petrol station brands I like to use, and
I’ve joined a gym so I can see other humans during the day.
For me, the secret to finding my feet in a new neighbourhood comes down to two things.
Number one: Routine. I am a better human being when I get up at the same time most mornings and go to the gym before the rest of my day starts. Lunchtime strolls in nature break up my day. My dinner
times are busy because I like to organise the family for the following morning, but it means my evenings and mornings aren’t stressful. And that helps keep my mind free to think about
Number two: Family. Not knowing many people in our new city means my family is forced to spend more time with each other (both a good and a bad thing!). On weekends we’ve ventured out to visit new playgrounds, beaches, and other local attractions. If the weather ever improves, I’ll start doing regular walks. I asked our community page on Neighbourly for advice on things to do with kids too, and got a novel of suggestions. Now all I need to find is someone to mow our lawns.