Get out and about. Go the supermarket. Talk to the butcher and ask for advice on the best meat cuts. Ask the produce manager about specials. Talk with the cashier and indicate that you’re new in town. Be friendly and get acquainted. Visit the local library and take out a card. Stop by the video store to rent a movie. Eat at one of the local restuarants and if the meal is good, tell someone! They’ll remember the compliment and you may make a new friend.
Get to know co-workers. If your arrival came through a job transfer, get to know your new co-workers. If you found the job after a move, get acquainted with them. Learn the ropes in a new position and become familiar.
Go to church. Find a church of your faith and visit. If necessary, shop around until you find a church home. Stay for coffee hour after the service or enroll the kids in Sunday School. Before long, you’ll identify church members in business. When you need a dentist, appliance repairman, or helping hand, it’s likely that there may be one within the congregation.
Meet people and greet them. Before long you’ll feel right at home and you’ll be part of the local small town network.