10 Questions to Ask When You Move to a New Neighborhood

Eliza Clark
August 2, 2012

In this new age of virtual communities and long-distance digital friendships, we sometimes forget how important our local, brick-and-mortar neighborhoods are to family life.  In contrast, our preschoolers, who tend to be far more rooted in the day-to-day than we are, need no reminding.  For kids, their own neighborhood is full of small, personal landmarks, interesting characters (both human and animal), favorite shops, friends, and more.  They know all of the bumps in the sidewalks (to avoid when on scooters), they know which stores keep a bowl of candy on the counter, and most of all they know the other kids.  All of those connections close at hand give them enormous satisfaction.

Our kids' local-mindedness means that moving, whether across the country or across town, will be a significant upheaval for everyone.  It also means that they will share our eagerness to get to know the new neighborhood as quickly as possible.

So what is the best way for a busy parent to get to know a new neighborhood?  Small children are known for asking a lot of questions, and we do well to follow their lead.  When you spot a pleasant-looking parent (or babysitter for that matter) at the park, in the supermarket, on the corner, ask her or him a few of these questions:

1. Have you lived here long? How do you like the neighborhood?
2. Do you know a good place to take the kids for ice cream? How about to order a birthday cake? Talk of sweets is always a good ice-breaker.
3. What are some kid-friendly restaurants and which are the best places for take-out and prepared foods? Again, food is always a good way to get people talking, plus we need to know this stuff.
4. Do you know of any good, free kids' events in the neighborhood like story-times or music classes? Things that are free are not usually well-advertised. Get the scoop!
5. Are there any kid-friendly festivities during the year? Like an Easter fair, Halloween parade, block party, etc.
6. Are there any community events or groups that need a parent's help? Volunteering, even just to help out at a block party, is a great way to meet other families.
7. Where does your child go to school? What is the school like? This is usually what we are most curious about, and fellow parents are the best sources.
8. Where do the kids hang out? To play, bike, swim, etc. You've probably already located the playgrounds, but parents may be able to fill you in on other great spots.
9. What is new in the neighborhood in the past few years? Get up-to-date on neighborhood happenings.
10. And to the new neighbor kids: when are you free to play? There are few things better in life than good friends across the hall or down the street.

And you? What would be your first questions when moving to a new neighborhood?