I'll never forget the hot August afternoon I arrived in Washington, D.C., the city that would be my home for the next several months.

Although my move to the nation's capital wasn't to be a permanent one, it was a transition which raised a question: Millions of us move each year, so what's the best way to become comfortable with new surroundings?

Whether your move is across town or to the other side of the country, each of us has their own approach to such matters, but let me share the seven-day strategies that worked in my case.

Day One: I'm here, therefore I walk. On my first say I dropped my suitcases, quickly surveyed my surroundings, and silently decided that I was going to embrace my new temporary home and get to know it inside and out.

I was confident that familiarity would breed fondness. So before unpacking or even taking a moment to absorb the four walls around me, I pushed away my overwhelming "What was I thinking?" doubts, and ventured outside for a walk. I walked far that afternoon in an attempt to get to know the immediate area.

Day Two. The adventure continues. The next day I tried the Washington Metro to familiarize myself with city and the subway network which runs below much of it.

Day Three. Have perspective. Washington, I was warned, has crime, congestion, corruption, a harried pace, unfriendly weather, and abrupt locals. So how is this different from other places? Like elsewhere, Washington has its pros and cons.

Nonsense. Washington's not perfect, just as any city isn't perfect, so why rely on stereotypes? By the time I departed Washington several months later, I knew the city as well as the back of my hand. I'd gained a sense of confidence in myself, my navigational abilities and my sheer nerve -- and, in the process, found a favorite city. As to the negative stuff, as with any area it pays to be wary and alert, but those are not strategies limited to Washington.

Day Four: Culture shock. Every community has it's unique identifiers, which means every city is distinctive. Yes, malls and brands may look alike, but every community has differences to enjoy.

Day Five: Find those you know. Before you move contact friends, acquaintances, workers, or relatives in your new community. Ask about their favorite places and activities. If you've bought a home, ask your broker for tips and ideas.

Day Six: Travel. Whether by car, bus, or subway visit new and different parts of your new community. Purchase a map and visit an ever-widening circle of new locales. Find your own "spots" -- a favorite bookstore, restaurant, sports location, museum, or whatever.

Day Seven: Meet and greet. After you've established an initial familiarity with the surrounding area, it's time to start the hard part: interacting with people.

If it seems a bit creepy to start knocking on neighbors' doors -- or if you're one of the growing legions of people who rank making conversation with complete strangers as their number-one fear -- start slowly. Talk to the checkers at your local grocery store, clerks, neighbors you see by the mailbox, people walking dogs, etc.

If you have children, attend parent conferences and other school events to meet others in your neighborhood. Ask your teachers to recommend good choices for local entertainment, where you can meet and interact with other families.

At the end of your first week the new neighborhood should seem more comfortable. When people call, you'll be able to say, "let me tell you about this great new place I found...."

For more articles by Courtney Ronan, please press here.

Published: March 6, 2001

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