Meeting People and Settling In

If you want to make new friends quickly in the country, get involved! Moving to a village means you'll be part of a close-knit community, and the chances are that there will be people who have similar interests to you. You should get to know people fairly quickly, and soon you won't be able to walk to your local shop without stopping to have a conversation with several villagers.

The attitude of the countryside leads to people being very relaxed, which can seem extremely laid back compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. You will no longer need to plan a night at the pub with friends a week in advance!

We've put together a number of ways to make settling in easier, depending on the size of the village and the surrounding facilities.

Village notice boards

Notice boards advertise everything! So check them for any local events, from village fetes and cake sales to horse riding competitions and cycling trips.

Local newspapers

You'll be able to find out what's going on in your area by having a flick through your local newspaper. There will also be adverts for local services (pubs, restaurants, hair dressers, sports clubs etc.) which will help you become a little bit more familiar with the area.

Post Office/Village Shop

Post Offices and Village shops usually have an advertisements board. Not only will this show information about things for sale (those items that you found when packing and really can't stand), but might also advertise weekly social events or local sports clubs to join.

Village Hall

Do you enjoy going to Christmas parties? Do your children enjoy going to 'Brownies' or 'Cubs'? Well, the Village Hall is the place where all kinds of social events take place. There may be a different notice board outside the Village Hall, so check that as well.

Local Pub

If you're lucky enough to have a pub in your village, then get down there for some socialising with the neighbours. You'll get to know the locals - and who the regulars are! If it's a busy and lively pub, you may find they do a pub quiz from time to time. Anyone can do that, so there's no excuses!

School and Nursery

If you have kids, meeting other parents when picking them up from school is an easy way of making new friends. They will probably be of a similar age to you, which is nice to know when moving somewhere new and when you need a bit of advice.

Country Activities

Walking, bike riding, fishing, shooting, horse riding, the list is endless. Get involved with any of these activities and immediately you'll make plenty of new friends with similar interests. Why not join your neighbour when he/she takes her dog for a walk?

Parties

Everyone enjoys a dinner party, and it's a great way to meet your neighbours and have some fun. You could hold one at your new home once you've sorted all the boxes out! If you have an afternoon garden party, it would give your kids chance to play with the other kids in the area too.

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