Editor's Note: Welcome my San Diego-based pal Kelly Abbott, founder of Dandelife and all-around good guy. His new weekend post series, Ungeek to Live, will highlight the ways you can get things done without always involving a computer or gadget. Not all things analog can go digital, and let's face it, most things worth a hill of beans in this world are analog through and through. Life is all about people, places and things. The best life hacks should be as much about getting the most from what we can smell, touch, and taste as the things we see and hear. Today, I kick off a guest-column "Ungeek to Live" as the new kid on the block here at Lifehacker. In that vein I've got a few pointers on making the most out of one's new surroundings. Whether it's a move to a new city for a new job, a sacrifice for an old squeeze, or retirement for better surf, what we need are strategies for getting snug and staying long in our new digs. When you move to a new place, you need to tend to the usual matters. Move in. Check. Get a driver's license. Check. Register to vote. Check. Now what? There are a couple of things you want to do that make all the difference when establishing yourself in a new city. First, get a local phone number. There's a tendency to ignore the importance of appearing to be from the city you're now living in. That's a bad move. I can understand the reluctance to spend money on a home land line just for the sake of appearances. Also who wants to change numbers? It's a hassle. But you don't need to do that anymore. Get a number. Point it to your mobile. Now everyone you meet doesn't think you're here today and gone back home tomorrow. Second: subscribe to your local newspaper. I'm not kidding. Forget the web. Get the print edition. Fine, Sunday's only. If you have any intention of being a part of the fabric of your new locale, this is indispensable. It's amazing how in-tune your the daily rag really is. Bonus: for house guests it's a quaint sign that you're up early with coffee on the weekends and thus beyond suspicion. You know, the kind that folds. Tape it to the wall next to your door. Every time you leave for the day, you'll have a look at it. Over time places will be remembered. And in idle moments serves as a reminder that there's a whole city waiting for you. Everyone needs to eat. Please, please, please don't eat at your desk. One of the most difficult things to do when you get to town is not just meet people but meet the right people. For example, you've done your research on LinkedIn and you know who you need to add to your professional network. Great. You've contacted them directly, but you have nothing to offer because you're the new kid in town. What do you do? Buy lunch. Do this once a week and soon people will be taking you to lunch. Because you'll be gaining weight from all those lunches, you'll need to have good places to be social AND work out at the same time. The gym is not such a place. First of all, it stinks. Second, working out is not usually a team effort. In the gym, your iPod is your best friend and force field against unsolicited come-ons. If your aim is to be social, join a softball league. Play soccer. Kickball, dodgeball, frisbee golf. Join a team. Form a team and get new people to join. The point being, the people you see week after week will soon become your crew for BBQ's and beer. Here are two resources. - Covers the major markets but as yet not as comprehensive as it could be. - Find fellow sports fans who live where you do and come from where you do. Go to a local sports bar and catch the game together. I love Meetup.com's tagline: "Use the Internet to get off the Internet!" Meetup has all kinds of wonderful categories for finding meaningful connections with others. Be it or ; , or ; , or ; or whether you're a , , or , there's little more than booze, religion and politics that can help you feel right at home again. If you're looking for more traditional fare, try these directories for churches, temples and mosques. I love working out of the house. It's good on many levels. It gets your creative juices flowing. It also satisfies the desire we have to just be around people. If you work in public enough you will inevitably catch someone's eye. Vice versa. If you want a tighter group, locally and get a desk. Nothing will get you deeper in a community than volunteering. My best business contacts and most loyal friends are those whom I've met on the soccer field but who've thought enough of me to respond to my calls asking for donations. By being a dedicated volunteer in a local non-profit, you're doing the right thing all around. In addition to helping your new community directly, you're also giving yourself a shot in the arm with good cheer. Being the new kid in town can be tough and you'll need all the karma you can corral. Try these sites for finding the right charity to dedicate yourself to: Tip: don't just volunteer. Ask to join the board or be the head of a committee. Ask to help with IT or their web site. Charities have regular everyday needs, but they have other needs that you might be a better fit for if you dig deeper. How did you make the most of your new surroundings last time you moved? Tell us in the comments.
Tags: Ungeek to Live, Moving, Travel, Clips, Top, Lifehacker
