Getting to know Kansas City - Exploring Missouri and Kansas,

No matter where in the world you move, there are ways to help make your new residence feel more like home. After unpacking and getting your home adjusted, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and begin to make the community feel like “yours.”

Getting your bearings in a community as large as Kansas City can be tough, but there are ways to ease the process. Some of the things you can begin doing right away to make Kansas City feel like home, include:

• Walking. Head out to explore your new community, or at least your neighborhood, on foot. Take a map, if necessary, and your address – just in case you wander too far off the beaten path. Walking is also a great way to introduce yourself to your new neighbors.
• Pick up community newspapers. These little gems can be found in almost every community and they tend to include great information about neighborhood activities and more that the daily papers just don’t cover. In many cases, you can subscribe to the paper before your move or check out articles, listings and ads online to begin familiarizing yourself with the community, its events and issues even before you move.
• Libraries. Local libraries are wonderful places to learn about your new home. With community bulletin boards, local maps, events listings and travel guides, libraries are a storehouse of information about the community. Plus, getting a library card is an official step in becoming a true “resident” of the community.
• Recreation/community centers. Stop by these places to see what they have going on that might appeal. Whether it’s a sports activity, an art class or dancing, getting involved in an activity at a community center can help you get out and meet people in your new hometown.
• Map/guide books. Pick these up and hit the hotspots to get a real feel for you new community and what it offers. Pretend you’re a tourist in your new hometown and really get to know the sights, sounds and locations.

It’s not always easy to feel comfortable in a big community like Kansas City, but there are things you can do to help ease your transition. With a little effort, you’ll feel like a native in no time.

by Tiffany Lewis, Kansas City Premier Apartments, Inc.