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Settling into your new home includes getting to know your neighborhood as well.  A home is more than the inside of four walls; it is the full experience of your setting, including the external. What is there to do? Where are the basic necessities? What makes my new location unique? Housewarming Party - Send out invitations to all your friends and family, as well as new neighbors. Serve some food and drinks. Create a party mix on your iPod. Throwing a party is an event that requires organization and planning. It's a great way to get to know your neighbors and create new relationships. Garage Sale - The key to living comfortably in your new apartment is to get rid of any unnecessary items, especially if your new home is a bit on the smaller side. Spend a weekend collecting stuff that is gathering up dust and taking up precious space. This could be any clothing you haven't worn in a while, old books you don't plan on reading, toys your children have grown out of, unneeded house wares, devices, or trinkets. Garage sales are a great way to get rid of old stuff, make some extra cash, and socialize with your new neighbors! BBQ - If the weather is nice, take the housewarming party outside. Fire up the grill and the tantalizing aroma will surely lure in your new neighbors. What better way to get acquainted then over a tasty meal? Log On! The internet provides a huge collection of information, and now that you're connected you'll be able to use it to your advantage! Use sites like Mapquest to locate your home and familiarize yourself with the area before you venture out. Search your new town in search engines (like Google or Yahoo) and see what you find! Search for things that interest you as well, such as local teams, restaurants, parks and recreation, gyms, etc.! Using the internet, you can find out a lot about your new neighborhood without getting lost!
The internet is great, but there's only so much you can find out about your new neighborhood by staying home. Once you feel comfortable enough, go for a walk around your block or take a drive around the entire town. Bring a map, notepad, and pen so that you can take note of important places (and so that you won't get lost). Mark key locations on your map and write down anything you'll need to remember, including phone numbers or addresses. Before long you'll be completely at home in your new house! Key Locations you’ll need to find:
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