Connecting with Your Local Community

Because I’m a Realtor in Southwest Florida, many of my clients may be moving from another part of the country. After all, our state has one of the highest percentages of non-native residents. And it’s not hard to see why: bright, sunny weather nearly the entire year, friendly faces, stunning beaches, and attractive, affordable properties. That’s what Florida is all about.

But, whether you’re moving to Southwest Florida or San Diego, it can often be challenging to connect with your new community. This is especially true if you’re buying a home in a large metropolitan area. So, on that note, I knew I had to put together a few ideas for how you can easily get to know your area and feel like part of the community quickly.

Sign up for MeetUp Groups

If you haven’t had a chance to visit MeetUp.com yet, it’s a site I like to recommend to anyone new to an area. On sites like these, you can find local groups who are interested in exactly what you’re interested in.

Visit local attractions

In Southwest Florida, we have our own fair share of tourist attractions throughout the state. From Disney to the Baily Matthews Shell Museum, there’s plenty to see. Even though numerous tourists visit these places each year, so do residents! And it’s a great, easy way to get introduced to our area.

Get to know the art, entertainment, and dining scenes

From the paintings at the Ringling to local craft beer, Southwest Florida has a growing community around art, entertainment, and dining. And across the country, these cultural resources are the perfect starting place to get to know your community.

Enjoy local parks and outdoor amenities

This one is an excellent way to get to know your area better and connect with your community. Locally we have numerous greenways and blueways to enjoy, from kayaking to biking.

Visit local farmers’ markets

In recent years, many cities throughout the country have welcomed farmers’ markets into their communities. In reality, these are a wonderful connecting point for locals and their area growers, craftsmen, and more.

Check news websites for local events

Most areas also have event pages on their news or media websites. These are an outstanding way to find concerts, happenings, and more. When you attend them, you’ll also get to meet regular people with the same interests as you!

Catch a sports games or two

Of course, local sporting events remains a big way to meet fellow residents. In many areas, people who live in the area might be incredibly passionate about their teams, and you’ll get to taste a bit of that local pride.

Drive around and tour homes

And if you’re still in the market for your next home, I always recommend simply driving around and looking at houses. Through this activity, you get to understand the layout of your area, while just enjoying its ambience.

Terry Records