I think there are three things that make a big difference to your happiness here. Your neighborhood, for one. We live in an exceptionally friendly neighborhood. People knew we were coming and came by to welcome us when we showed up. There are card games (beginners welcome and coaching available) and block parties. People stop to chat on the street. Being extroverted helps a lot, too. You need to join things and get involved. If there's not a group that interests you, you have to be willing to start one. The third thing that helps is knowing people who already live here. We have very good friends who have owned here for a while and lived here full time for 2 years. They went way out of their way to make us feel at home.
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