You've Moved Now What?

You're retired and you move either to a warmer climate or because your husband/wife got a good job offer in another part of the country. That's one of several possible scenarios that might find you moving to a strange place where you know few if any people. Regardless of the reason, you are here now in a city or town you know virtually nothing about and are home a good part of the day. Unless you have moved to one of those communities where a welcome committee greets you, or the neighbors are also home during the day like at a retirement village, you may be at a loss as to where to go and how to meet people. I know I was when I moved, but after a couple of rocky months I pulled myself up and out and actually enjoyed the newness of it all.

A good first step is the local Public Library. I made it a habit of going to mine at least once a week. The library is a terrific resource for almost anything you want to see or do. The people who work in them generally are very helpful too. At the library you can find maps, "where to visit" books with local attractions and so forth. You can also learn the history of your new locale. The local newspapers are on display and there is usually a list of library activities. Can you find these things on the Internet? Of course you can, but then you won't be getting out and about which is an essential part of getting to know your new community.

At the library, scope out the bulletin boards. Yard sales, book clubs, gardening clubs, and all sorts of other things may be found on the bulletin board fliers. Even part-time job opportunities! A part-time (or full time) job is another great way of meeting people. Of course if you're the usual retirement age, finding a job will pose it's own challenge.

Another good step in the right direction is the local college. If you're lucky there may be a University in or near your town. I've read articles on the Internet and in magazines extolling the benefits for retirees in university towns. It makes sense. I happened to find a listing for spring semester classes for seniors (anyone 55 or over) at the local community college, and went from there.

Very inexpensively, you can fill up your entire week with a class in one thing or another. French Language classes, Astrology, ceramics, photography, tennis, and more, all curiously starting no earlier than 12 noon. Sleeping in,is a guilty pleasure of more seniors than you would imagine, not counting the golfers and fisher people, nor the 7:30 daily mass goers. I chose three classes: water aerobics which was offered daily, Yoga because I did Yoga for several years in my late twenties/early thirties and loved it; and because there was no poetry writing class, Oil Painting! I quit water aerobics after three weeks because it turned out to be more like water exercise and was boring. I'm loving the Yoga class and plan to continue after the semester is over. Oil painting has been a challenge, but I'm not giving up and will continue, as with the Yoga, the teacher gives lessons all year elsewhere. The group of people in oil painting are very friendly and I'm proud to say I'm the only "beginner" who did not drop out midway.

Of course if you have family in your new hometown, use them. There's no place like a playground or park to meet people. Take your grandchildren out to the nearest public playground and it's almost guaranteed you'll meet other grandmas or grandpas. Right away you have something in common, the kids. Accept invitations from your family member's or their friends. If you're single they may try to hook you up, but hey you get to meet someone new even if you don't want a date. If your husband works, offer to have one or two of his work friends over for dinner or a poker game, don't wait for him to think of it, he may not for quite a while.

Get in your car. Explore. Join a museum and go. If you're a church goer, find one on the Internet and go. Once there, attend their functions. Drive around and take in the sites. Take photographs to send to your old friends, you may discover a new hobby. Find a favorite store to get that morning/noon cup of coffee and paper. This is one time in your life that delivery isn't a good option. Discover your favorite park or Italian restaurant and become a regular. Get lost, you'll see and learn a lot. Just don't stay home.