New on the Block: Friendly Ways to Meet Your Neighbors

You’ll feel like a stranger in Tampa until you get to know some of your neighbors, so it’s best to make an effort to socialize as soon as you can.

Apart from helping you to fit in, studies show that harmonious neighborly relations are especially important in aging communities. However, it’s safe to assume that these findings could apply to communities all over America. 

Here are some easy ways to meet your neighbors without feeling awkward. 

Keep it Simple – Say Hello

When you move into a new neighborhood, common courtesies will go a long way towards helping you make friends. Say ‘hello’ to everyone you meet. 

This simple greeting gives them the option to strike up a conversation if they want to. It’s an easy way to get people talking without approaching them directly with awkward small talk. 

Walk Your Dog

Dogs are great for meeting people. They attract the attention of fellow dog lovers, who may approach to admire the new pet on the block. Studies show that dogs are excellent facilitators of human interactions. 

They also give you an excuse to walk around the neighborhood to get familiar with your new surroundings.  

Get Outdoors

If you don’t have a dog, gardening is a good way to meet local community members too.

Have you noticed that your nearest neighbor is often out there doing their green-fingered thing? Getting busy in your own garden could allow you to strike up a conversation with them. 

Likewise, passers-by could stop for a chat if they see you busy outside. Gardening is an excellent way to meet people on almost neutral territory.

Get Involved

Join your local community’s Facebook page as soon as possible so you can stay up to date with happenings in your hood. You can also scour local newspapers and websites for upcoming events. 

Local markets, charity, and school events are an excellent way to show an interest in your new neighborhood and meet people at the same time.

When you show that you’re prepared to be an active member of your community, people will warm up to you right away. 

Meet your Neighbors on Purpose

If you’re not the shy type, you can try a more direct approach to meeting the neighbors.

One way is to knock on their front door and introduce yourself. However, this approach can be challenging. You might catch them at an inconvenient time, getting your neighborly relations off to a bad start. 

One way to get off on the right foot is by hosting a get-to-know-each-other get-together. Most people love a party, and they’ll have the benefit of bringing people along that they already know. 

It’s also a shortcut to meeting as many people as possible fast.

More Information on Managing Your Move

When you make an effort to meet your neighbors, you’re paving your way to a place in your new community. This means you’ll feel at home a lot sooner and have access to first-hand information about your surroundings.

Read our blog for more relocating tips. Or get in touch if you have any questions.

5 Great Family Activities You Can Find In The Tampa Bay Area

According to Homes.com, Tampa ranks among the top ten places for families to live in the USA. So, it makes sense that the area abounds with family activities to keep you busy.

These are some of the most popular places for family-friendly fun after your move to Tampa.

1. Seaside Family Activities

There’s no shortage of beaches in the Tampa area for swimming and playing in the sand, but that’s not the only attraction the shoreline offers.

Nearby you’ll find the Florida Aquarium, one of the best in the USA. Here, children and adults alike can gawk at sharks, penguins, alligators, and multi-colored ocean fish. 

Wild Dolphin Tours in the bay are a treat for families wanting to see these marine mammals in their natural environment.  

Clearwater Beach sets the scene for Sunset Celebrations with live performers and craft vendors. On weekends you can catch a movie under the stars at Pier 60.

2. Curtis Hixton Waterfront Park

This grassy 8-acre expanse stretches along the Hillsborough River and is a great family destination for a day out in the Florida sunshine.

The park has two interactive fountains, splash pads, a playpark, and even a dog run for the furriest member of your family. It’s a wonderful, secure location where you can relax on the lawns while the kids entertain themselves.

 It’s also surrounded by prominent Tampa Museums, including the Glazer Children’s Museum.

3. Horsepower for Kids

Children of all ages love the exotic animals that they’ll meet at this rescue center.  They’ll get to see armadillos, foxes, camels, rabbits, raccoons, turtles, ducks, opossums, deer, squirrels, and more from up close.  

Ponies, a miniature train, and a haywagon are all on hand or fun rides around the farm. More experienced riders can head off on a horseback trail ride with a competent guide. 

4. Playgrounds of Tampa

If it’s too hot for outdoor kid’s activities, Playgrounds of Tampa is a good place for young children to use up their energy undercover.  The venue offers several bouncy castles, a safe toddler play area, and an interactive gaming floor. 

The best part is that mom and dad can relax at the boutique coffee bar, which serves up gourmet teas and coffees as well as a range of snacks.

5. Dinosaur Park

Which child doesn’t love a dinosaur? If you can’t stand the crowds at well-known Florida theme parks, this popular greater Tampa area attraction is your next best bet.

Over 150 full-size dinosaur models lurk in the lush vegetation of this park. These include big names like the Triceratops, Pterodactyl, and Brachiosaurus.

There’s also a fossil dig for treasure hunting in the sand, interactive exhibits and a dinosaur-themed play park on-site. 

Pack a picnic and experience a day enjoying this fascinating world of fun and learning. 

Planning a Family Move to Tampa

Have you decided to start life anew in this family-oriented destination? We can help you to orchestrate a stress-free relocation. Get in touch for assistance with your move to Tampa or keep reading our blog for more ideas about family activities and tips for settling in.

Get Cozy After a Move: Tips to Help Make Your House a Home

If you’re moving to Tampa, a local moving company can do a lot to make sure it’s a smooth transition. Yet, it’s up to you to make your house a home. 

It’s a well-known fact that moving is a stressful event. However, research from Berkeley University suggests things get even worse after you’ve arrived.

Unpacking and re-organizing everything again takes time and causes upheaval in your daily routine. Here are our top tips for getting settled quickly and putting an end to the anxiety. 

Small Touches Make Your House a Home

One of the things most responsible for that empty feeling, when you move into a new place, is the lack of decor. 

Putting up curtains and drapes is the first step. Not only will they bring a cozier feel to your environment, but they’re also an important security measure. 

Art should be the next thing out of the bubble wrap. Putting your artwork in place adds a touch of the familiar to your surroundings and will help you feel more at home. 

In fact, studies have revealed that looking at art has the same effect as gazing upon your object of affection which can only be a good thing. 

Take Some Tips from the Pros

Spas exist to help people de-stress. Take some tips from them to create a sense of home in your new environment. 

Candles, natural light, soft music, and flowers are just what the doctor ordered to soothe your frazzled nerves. You can start with one space and use that as your escape room when the stress of unpacking becomes a little too much to bear. 

Unpacking Priorities

Children can become very unsettled during a move. Help them to feel at home by setting their rooms in order first. 

You can let them help design the layout of their rooms and unpack all their favorite things. It will provide them a sense of ownership as well as help reduce the load on you. 

Another essential place to start unpacking is your closets. Searching through boxes and suitcases for something to wear every day is tedious and frustrating. Getting your closets in order will help to relieve some of your daily troubles. 

Read our blog for more tips on packing and unpacking like a pro. 

Keep Routines in Place

Try to keep your familiar daily routines in place as much as possible. Get the most commonly used kitchen items in place quickly to ensure predictable mealtimes. 

If you had a particular spot in your old home where children dropped their school bags, and parents kept their keys, set up a similar place in your new house.

Continue with your regular cleaning routine despite the disarray and insist that children keep up with their chores. Try to keep things as predictable as they were before. 

Getting the Best Start

Reputable local moving companies in Tampa won’t just drop your stuff and run. They’ll put each box in the correct room as well as help you place heavy furniture correctly.These extra little courtesies go a long way towards helping you make your house a home. Get in touch to ensure your time in Tampa gets off to a great start.