After you've arrived in your new hometown, you'll want to hit the streets with your map in hand, seeing with your own eyes the various landmarks depicted on your map. What appears logical on a map is often completely illogical when you attempt to navigate the area by car or on foot. There's nothing worse than discovering your first day on the job or on your kids' first day of school that some of those streets on the map you purchased are one-way streets, or perhaps they're closed off due to construction. Practice beforehand the routes you'll be taking on a daily basis. Such groups can offer a tremendous source of support and information.
Parents have another outlet for developing new relationships within their new hometowns.
Kids who have been active in sports, academic or other extracurricular organizations, and who want to resume the practice, provide their parents with an outlet for meeting other parents. Our sense of familiarity is gone. Plunge into your new environment. You won't regret it. Courtney Ronan is a freelance writer who contributes a weekly column profiling various communities.