is it easy to make friends in New Albany? (Columbus: appointed, fit in)

[Heartless in Ohio]

My family and I have just been ripped away from an area that we love and have relocated to New Albany, OH. I have read through the threads (good and bad) on New Albany but like it or not, we are stuck here.

I have cried every day that I have been here because I am so home sick. My husband's company has done NOTHING to welcome us and we have met 2 neighbors. Any ideas on how to meet people when your kids are a bit older? They are 10 and 12 and are miserable here too. I could use some positive suggestions please.....I have enough negativity to contend with. Thanks

[GeminiGal]

Originally Posted by Heartless in Ohio

My family and I have just been ripped away from an area that we love and have relocated to New Albany, OH. I have read through the threads (good and bad) on New Albany but like it or not, we are stuck here.

I have cried every day that I have been here because I am so home sick. My husband's company has done NOTHING to welcome us and we have met 2 neighbors. Any ideas on how to meet people when your kids are a bit older? They are 10 and 12 and are miserable here too. I could use some positive suggestions please.....I have enough negativity to contend with. Thanks

Sorry to hear you are so unhappy. Unfortunately, during the Summer months, most of your neighbors are probably busy with vacations, family outings, etc.

Your kids are a good way to meet people. Are they involved in any activities yet? Meeting folks through your kids sports is an excellent way to get to know peolpe who have like interests.

I would not let any negative things you've heard about your area deter you. I've met a few people from New Albany, and they have all been extemely nice. I live in the Powell area, and no matter where you live there are nice AND not so nice people, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Keep your chin up. It takes lots of time to adjust to a new community. Good luck.

[greytercel]

People here are generally very money-driven and self-absorbed. ...the longer you're here, the more you're going to realize that....sadly, you have to become somewhat the same to psychologically survive here.

That's my opinion, I'm entitled to it, and I'm entitled to put it on here, but now this poster named Gemini Gal is going to jump on this and personally attack me as she has many times before....The reason I do these posts occasionally is because I feel sorry for people who move here and go through all the culture shock that I once went through...what can I say? you have to adapt and be tough yourself to make it here..it's a strange area.....

[Fletchman]

The New Albany library has some great programs for kids. It's probably one of the top community gathering places in New Albany. I would recommend the whole family check it out.

I believe there is a performing arts facility that will be opening soon. In addition, there are some great parks and bicycle paths in the New Albany area.

I don't live in New Albany, but from my perspective, it can be intimidating. There are 'regular' folks in New Albany, and over time you will get to know those people.

[GoBuckeyes]

Hi there. We just moved from Gahanna to South Carolina. We just left all our family behind as well. I can tell you that the New Albany library is great. Also, look into joining the Gahanna YMCA. I met a lot of great people through there. Don't be afraid to get out of New Albany. Gahanna is right there and not quite as snobby. Although, I've met some really down to earth people from NA also. Hope this helps.

[JilliO]

I agree with GoBuckeye. Great suggestions. If your kids like the arts or other group activities, there can be some cool offerings at the Wexner Center and COSI. Gahanna has music once a week somewhere, no? It may not be easy to "meet friends" at such an event, but in the meantime, they are pleasant things to attend.

[chicagoerin]

Hello and welcome to Columbus! I think you have chosen a great place to live..I live in NA and moved here from Chicago 3 years ago. Unlike you, I found it to be a great community! I don't even have kids (which I think would make it much easier to meet people) and found it very easy to meet friends! Where, may I ask, did you move from? As far as your husband's company "doing nothing to welcome you"...I am not sure what you had in mind? I can tell you not many companies see it as their responsibility to introduce you to other people in the area...it's kind of your responsibility to get out there and make new friends! BTW, I am sure you know this, but people will be much more interested in getting to know you if you take a positive attitude about your move versus putting a negative spin on your area, your experience meeting new people thus far, etc. It's human nature..we all want to spend time with people who are optimistic and not a downer to be around. Please don't take that at a criticism...I have been down before too and mean it as words of advice. Once you find a way to embrace your new community, you will be rewarded with more friends and activities than you can fit into your schedule! Columbus and New Albany are LOADED with transplants which is good news for you because they are looking for new friends too! Best of luck

[Pat0055]

I can relate to your feelings. I relocated here two years ago with my family from NY. I miss my family terribly and some are not doing so well, but will not pass that feeling on to my children. I let them know we're on an extended vacation and will learn, enjoy and make new friends. Get some pets... let's see, I got some fish, guinnea pigs, cat and dog since I moved here. Remember, there isn't anything that last forever... Life is what you make it... so smile and pass that smile onto your neighbors and friends. Get out and explore a little. Join a recreation center. Definitely find a place of worship. And sign your children up for sports, your life will be consumed with sports here. Everything will come together. I learned how to be a mom again and got closer with my family since my career consumed my life back home. I got part of my life back again.

The first six months to adjust to a new area are the toughest but it gets easier. Me and my kids are exploring every day and we don't need to drive more than 15 minutes in any direction to find something to do. My neighbors are wonderful and some don't know when to leave...or I don't know how to ask. It's not a major city like NY but remember your not that far away... Now here's some good news, many families around you are probably relos as well. Being here only two years, I see the growth trend... more and more people are finding out about this place. Enjoy the peace and cleanliness while it last!! If your home sick, make a plan to visit home as often as you can go. Stay in touch with those back home and have your family/friends come and visit. Funny, but you'll soon know who your real friends are after you relocate because some will never attempt to stay in touch with you. Those who do are your real friends and I might add some family members!!!

Finally, if you have a grill, have a party, put fliers in all the mailboxes in your neighborhood and I bet you'll make a lot of friends!

My kids are 11, 9 and 8 and I think it would be hard for them to relocate back to where we came from after experiencing Lewis Center! Take care and feel free to stay in touch! I have many stories to share and some are hillarious... take care... a friend in Ohio!

[HoneyGrove]

I agree. NA is nice place to live. I moved to Gahanna about 15 years ago at the beginning of the summer. Both Gahanna and NA have grown tremendously since we got here. We joined the community pool and visited the library a lot. Once school started my kids and I started meeting lots of people. As they got involved in sports, band, choir, etc., we became part of the community.

Check out the NA chamber of commerce website at www.newalbanychamber.com/ They have community events and places to see listed there as well as contact info. Gahanna has a visitors bureau. Our director knows everything to do and see in Gahanna. When browsing Google I didn't readily see if NA has a visitors bureau.

BTW Gahanna is right down the road from NA. We have a few things to do.

[Heartless in Ohio]

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my thread. I agree with some of them and the others.....well, let's just say they are based on assumptions.

This is my 9th move as a corporate wife/married woman. In the past, I have adapted very easily to my new environment. I look forward to the challenge of meeting new people and making new friends. As a matter of fact, I have never had a problem with it and people are amazed at my ability to do it with ease.

In the past when we have moved, we have always received a nice house plant or gift basket from the company President with a welcome note on it. At the very least a phone call from the President to welcome us to the community is not too much to ask. It is sort of ironic because this division really pursued my husband for this particular job. Here we are and no one has even acknowledged our move. It has left a bad taste in my mouth that no one has extended themselves to welcome us. I certainly am not expecting introductions just an acknowledgement that our family has moved here.

I have met 2 nice neighbors but they are all on vacation now. Now I am venting!!!!!!!!! I went to the school today to register and really felt like a number. They were cordial but not really warm and inviting. The bank well let's just say I was ignored for a good 20 minutes and then when I brought it to his attention, he snapped at me.

Here is the best one of all. I signed my daughter up for a soccer camp and they are playing at a field out in the middle of no where. My 10 year old daughter got really hot during practice so she took off her t-shirt to her green tank top with spaghetti straps. When my husband went to pick her up today, a "team Mom" told my husband that her shirt was not a "good or appropriate choice" and that they have a "team" dress code. No one ever told us about it and what the heck is the big deal at a stinkin' soccer camp in the middle of no where in 90 degree heat?????? Ugh! I was so steamed by this woman being so condescending. She needs to get a life!!

I have to agree a bit with greytercel. I do need to psychologically survive in this climate. I realized by the 3rd day that a lot of the people here were self absorbed, superficial and materialistic. We joke about the "Stepford wives out walking every morning." I am not bitter, I am an attractive, fairly young woman myself. There is a lot more depth to me than whether or not I can squeeze into my size 3 tennis skirt, or gossip on my cell phone while I drive my overly large gas sucking SUV. My college age son came here with us and hated it. He said it was the most self absorbed, pretentious community he had ever seen and left after 1 week.

I will close with this story. I went into a store some of you may know called "Justice for girls" with my daughter. I told the sales lady that I liked the name of the store and asked what the philosophy behind the name was? She replied that Justice is Les Wexner's daughter's name and that is why it was named that. I said "that is it?"

To tell you the truth, I was so disappointed because I thought the name "Justice for girls" meant that the clothes were made by Americans and that no child labor or unfair labor laws were used to make these clothes. The sales girl just stared blankly at me and that was my first clue.