Getting Established in a New Market After a Move

The task of getting reestablished in a new community after you have relocated can be daunting. You have left behind close friends, familiar restaurants, colleagues, job connections, work associations, your church and all your favorite well-known watering holes. All of your go-to connections are gone, and you can be left wondering where to turn. But not too worry, help is on the way.

However, to make you feel at home in a new place, social media has opened up a whole new world. There is no need to troll the Yellow Pages and hunt for associations to join or wait for an introduction from a new colleague. Social media puts you in the driver’s seat after a move. After you are done checking things off your moving house checklist, put a line through getting established. Use these tips to become a local in no time.

After the moving truck has left the driveway, and all your moving supplies have been put away, and you have put the last stamp on your moving announcements, pull out your computer and start surfing. 

Professional Associations   

Many community and professional organizations use social media. They like to harness the power of social media to recruit and retain new and old members. LinkedIn and Facebook are two good sites for getting connected in your new community.

Local chapters of professional associations can be viewed online and you can use a social media site to make an introduction. Facebook can also be used to obtain information on when and where a particular group meets. You can also discover local colleagues from your new place of employment and use this as a stepping stone to getting established in your new community.

Getting to Know You

One of your first tasks after a big move is to become familiar with your new city. You want find out where the locals eat, discover the freshest organic fruit stand, the best daycare or the hottest nightspot. Whatever your taste, social media opens businesses to new community members. Browse different social media sites to learn of clothing stores, bakeries and more.

On Facebook, simply type in your town and you will be surprised to discover how many local businesses, hospitals, doctors, churches, and more use social media. There is no need to stay in the dark about local services after moving to a new community. And, don’t forget after finding a great new store or service to sign up for their Twitter feed. Getting in the loop speeds up your acclimation to your new city.

Word of Mouth

So, if you are a spouse of a transferred employee or you are striking out on your own and moving to a new town, harness social media to make connections and land a new job.

Browse your LinkedIn account for associates with connections to your new city.

They can prove to be a wealth of information and a source of networking to secure a new job. The same can be said about professional organizations. Many have Facebook sites and be sure to sign up to get the inside scoop on upcoming jobs.

Just for the Fun of it

If you are one of the lucky ones who has a great new job, a beautiful house, and instant connections with your new colleagues in your new city, what you will be looking for is fun and where to have it.

Many people who share similar interests have hooked up on social media sites to advertise and spread the word. Popular lakes, chess clubs, boating groups, off-road enthusiasts and more all advertise their groups and actively seek new members.

Go For It

Don’t be shy. Social media allows you to test the waters and get a feel of a new group and their philosophy before joining them. And, before you know, you will be an old local.