Back to Situations

New Neighbor Seeking Local Information

A new neighbor approaches an existing resident to ask for basic information about the neighborhood, like local stores, directions, or community rules.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
New Neighbor (Female)
Hi there! I just moved into the house next door, at 123 Main Street. My name is Sarah.
2
Existing Resident (Male)
Oh, welcome to the neighborhood, Sarah! I’m Tom. Glad to have you here.
3
New Neighbor (Female)
Thanks, Tom! I was hoping you could help me with a few quick questions. Where's the closest grocery store around here?
4
Existing Resident (Male)
Sure, no problem! The best one is 'Fresh Foods Market,' just about a five-minute walk down this street, on the left. It has everything you need.
5
New Neighbor (Female)
Perfect, that's really helpful. And is there a park nearby for kids?
6
Existing Resident (Male)
Absolutely! 'Greenwood Park' is just two blocks over. It has a great playground and even some walking trails. You'll see it easily.
7
New Neighbor (Female)
Great! Thanks so much for all the info, Tom. I really appreciate it.
8
Existing Resident (Male)
Anytime, Sarah! If you have any other questions or just want to chat, feel free to stop by. We're usually home in the evenings.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

neighborhood

The area around your home where people live close to each other, like a community of houses and streets.

welcome

To greet someone kindly when they arrive somewhere new, showing you are happy they are there.

grocery store

A shop where you buy food, drinks, and everyday household items for cooking and eating.

closest

The nearest or shortest distance to something, used when asking for the most convenient location.

block

A short distance in a city between two streets, often used to describe how far something is by walking.

playground

An outdoor area in a park with equipment like swings and slides designed for children to play.

appreciate

To feel grateful or thankful for help or information someone gives you.

anytime

Means whenever you want, at any time, showing openness and helpfulness without restrictions.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Hi there! I just moved into the house next door.

This is a friendly introduction when meeting someone new; 'Hi there' is casual greeting, and 'just moved' uses present perfect tense to show a recent action. Useful for starting conversations with neighbors.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

A warm greeting for new people; it's simple and polite, often used to make others feel included. Great for building friendly relations in community settings.

Where's the closest grocery store around here?

Asking for directions; 'Where's' is contraction of 'where is', and 'around here' means in this area. This pattern is practical for seeking local information when you're new to a place.

It's just about a five-minute walk down this street.

Giving directions; 'just about' means approximately, and it describes distance by time. Useful for helping others navigate, common in everyday small talk.

Is there a park nearby for kids?

A yes/no question for information; 'nearby' means close by, and 'for kids' specifies the purpose. This is helpful when asking about family-friendly spots in a new area.

Thanks so much for all the info.

Expressing gratitude; 'so much' emphasizes thanks, and 'info' is short for information. Use this after receiving helpful advice to show politeness and appreciation.

Anytime! If you have any other questions, feel free to stop by.

Offering ongoing help; 'anytime' means always available, and 'feel free to' invites action without pressure. Ideal for ending conversations positively and encouraging future contact.