When in a new town is it o.k. to stay inside and taste test the local food delivery options first?

Congratulations on making this big transition.

You don’t need anyone’s permission, @talljasperman, if you feel like you need to ease slowly into your new situation. But it’s my opinion that you would do well to start learning your way around as soon as possible so you can begin to feel at home. My guess (and it’s just a guess) is that the longer you remain aloof and act like a stranger, the harder it’s going to be to settle in.

Maybe pick a starting point, a main shopping or dining area, a movie theater, or a library, and explore it with Google Street View so it looks familiar before you go there. You don’t have to do it all at once. Pick one easy, recognizable destination—say, a cafe or even a supermarket—and just go there.

Come back and tell us how it went.

I’d make myself get out and let myself be seen shopping, looking around, checking out special places in the town, going to church if you are a church goer, asking questions as they arise. People are curious about newbies. If you isolate yourself from the beginning, you’ll give the impression you want to be left alone. And leave you alone, they will. Good luck in your new community.

@talljasperman You can explore it safely on the internet, but to really get a feel for the town, you need to go out and experience it. I use a motto, You don’t know if you don’t try it. Sometimes I get disappointed, but sometimes I find real gems where I don’t expect them. Safety is nice, but to live life to the fullest you need to take some chances.

From inside is no way to experience the flavor of a place. Why aren’t you going outside?

I and my sister have each moved frequently in our lives. We each looked for the local library, the grocery store and the church of our choice on day 1, everything else could happen as it happened. We laughed when we realized we look for the same things to help us feel settled.

Walking for exercise or finding a gym became a requirement after the exercise of unpacking and settling-in. Hunting for a place to buy a treadmill is also an excuse to get to know the area. I read & do crafts, so I look for the book shops, hobby shops, craft suppliers, & sewing stockists as well. And I read the phone book’s yellow pages, just to see what is around.

Places to meet new people with your interests are place of work, churches, libraries, gyms & recreational areas, community colleges, book & hobby shops, grocery stores.

Feeling settled is about you doing what you like to do to feel settled. If you rush it, it’s done. The fun and experience comes from making it fun and savoring the experiences as they come.

I totally agree with @Adirondackwannabe, take your time to explore the outskirts. There might be a great possibility that you will unearthed real gems of local delicacy. Finding budget friendly shops if you are feeling thrifty! Though, working on a Google map search or images to be exact before going to a place you want to explore and check will be helpful as well.

@tina_sausa I always give GA’s to anyone that agrees with me. Welcome to fluther.:)

@tina_sausa If you have any questions about this site and how it works just feel free to get a hold of me. You can PM me if you want. We’re trying to make new jellies feel welcome here.

@Adirondackwannabe, Thank You for the warm welcome! :) I would gladly PM you if I am kinda lost in here.

Update I discovered Skip the dishes and grocery delivery, and explored the library. I have high speed internet and I canceled my cable. For fun I Fluther or add/maintain my Amazon wish lists mostly 600 books. 64 of which are on my priority list.