You’ll feel settled in a new area as soon as you start to feel that you know people there and have got a handle on what’s going on. Here are just a few ways of ensuring this happens sooner rather than later!

Join your local library

It’s not just there to lend you books, CDs and videos/DVDs – it’s a great source of information about societies, local groups and events and evening classes. And it’s free to join!

Support your local shops

If you’ve moved to a small, compact area with a few local shops and, say, a post office, it’s worth trying to do at least some of your shopping here – nothing makes you feel you belong to a place more quickly than having your local shop keepers recognise and acknowledge you.

Have a drink in your local

Obviously, use your common sense as city pubs can be far from sociable places, but in smaller areas your nearest pub may well provide you with a great way of meeting people and is often the hub of local activity.

Get involved!

If time permits, join a society or club, or take up a sport (find out details from your library or via the internet) – you’ll meet people with a common interest. If you’re new to the UK from abroad, you’ll probably find expat societies a tremendous support (find details of them via your company’s HR department, your embassy, or via the internet). It’s a good idea, though, to supplement your involvement with people from your own country with plenty of contact with those from the one you’re now living in – that way, you’ll feel integrated sooner.

Children

If you have school-age children, make the most of any opportunities that arise for meeting other parents. If you arrive in a new area with a new baby, you’’ll want to meet people quickly for a mutual sense of support. Ask your health visitor for information on any local groups for mums and babies/toddlers, or contact your local National Childbirth Trust representative (see www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com)

Driving

For many people, cars are more than a way of getting to and from work… they represent freedom. If driving is key to your day for whatever reason, make sure that you know the ins and out of driving in the UK.

Key checklist:

The minimum age for driving a car or motorbike is 17 years
Drive on the left side of the road
Watch out for speed limits (and cameras)
Drinking and driving is a serious offence, and driving above the limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath means losing your licence and a fine or imprisonment
Seat belts must be worn by everyone in the car
Motorcyclists and passengers must wear helmets
The vehicle must be licensed
The vehicle must be insured
The tax disc must be displayed
If over 3 years old, the vehicle must have an MOT certificate
Licence

EEC and EEA licences can be used in the UK. Non EEC/EEA licences can be used for 12 months from the date of entry into the UK. After then you have to sit a UK driving test.

© 2007 of Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.