If you’ve just moved to a brand-new neighbourhood, exploring these essential spots will make you feel like a local in no time.
Moving to a new suburb is always a major transition, because quite often you’re leaving behind your routine – your walking tracks, coffee shops, gym, and possibly a social circle.
Luckily, most suburbs provide a bunch of cool spots designed to make the area much more convenient, comfortable and community-centric.
To help you ease into your new neighbourhood, here are seven essential places to discover.
If you’re in the inner city or don’t have a garden of your own, outdoor spaces may become your new best friend.
The Tan in South Yarra is a green space haven for anyone living in Melbourne’s inner south. Picture: Getty
Scout out your nearest park and see what facilities you can make the most of. If you have kids, playgrounds are an absolute must.
If you’ve got children of the furry variety, check if the park has an off-leash area. Both are likely to attract plenty of locals, providing ample opportunity to meet other members of your new community.
Alternatively, you may find a park that has additions like tennis courts, basketball courts, barbecues and picnic areas.
Even a wide patch of green where you can simply sit under a tree and soak up the great outdoors is a great thing to have.
You can’t really go without groceries, so a top priority should be finding the nearest spot to buy the essentials.
Sure, you could locate your closest major supermarket, but you might also want to go off the beaten track and find shops unique to your area.
Shopping small is a great way to become acquainted with your new neighbourhood and the people who own businesses within it – and quite often it’s cheaper than larger chain supermarkets, too.
Discovering your local farmers market can be a great way to get out on the weekend and meet likeminded locals. Picture: Getty
If you live in a particularly multicultural suburb, you may come across all kinds of interesting grocery stores, or you might be fortunate enough to have a nearby high street that encompasses a butcher, baker andnumerous other specialty shops.
Check out where your nearest GP or medical clinic is – being able to walk to your appointment or swing by on your way to or from work is a huge advantage.
Other healthcare providers you could look for in your area include a pharmacist, dentist, pathology clinic and hospital. If you’ve got pets, a local vet will be particularly handy.
If health and fitness are an important part of your life, finding your new local gym is a must.
But the gym isn’t just about exercise, it can also become a valuable part of your community. Work out, join a class and meet other locals from your new area.
If you’re looking for a gym close by, Anytime Fitness has more than 550 locations around Australia that are open 24/7, with reciprocal access at all gyms, which means you can work out anywhere and anytime that suits you.
Get the personalised help you need for your unique fitness journey at Anytime Fitness. Picture: Lyndon Marceau/marceauphotography
Plus, Anytime Fitness welcomes gym-goers at all stages of their fitness journey, no matter what their fitness level is. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total newbie, it’s a fantastic spot to find your fit.
Whether it’s in your closest shopping village, en route to the train station or on your street corner, you’re bound to find a cafe near your new home packed with locals.
Once you’ve locked down your favourite coffee joint and the baristas have learned both your name and your order, you’ll be guaranteed to feel much more at home.
Alternatively, if you prefer to venture out at night, you might want to suss out your closest pub or small bar.
Depending on where you’re living, you may have access to a variety of community facilities.
Think pools, libraries, cinemas, live music joints, places of worship, sports complexes or even a neighbourhood community centre that hosts meet-ups, classes and other events for locals.
Accessing these is a great way to explore your new neighbourhood, plus it can make you feel much more entrenched in your area. You might even meet a few community members who share the same interests.
You’ve likely already looked into public transport options in your new neighbourhood prior to moving in, but actually using them can help you get to know the area.
Get familiar with your closest train station and the routes that travel through it, as well as your local bus, tram, light rail or ferry network.
Having public transport you can utilise easily will make your move a whole lot easier. Picture: Getty
You could also look up the best walking and cycling trails around your neighbourhood, either for getting to and from places or simply for exploring your new area on foot or by bike.
So whatever your interests, passions, or necessities are – there are plenty of things you should look for when you first move into a neighbourhood, to meet new people and enjoy your surrounds.
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