Be a good incomer

Be neighbourly
It might sound obvious but getting to know your neighbours is the best place to start. Invite them over for housewarming drinks or afternoon tea - anything more raucous and you risk starting village life on a bad note. If you're having any building work done on the house or tinkering with boundary fences or hedges, keep up a good dialogue with any neighbours who'll be affected.

Join local committees
Village organisations are always keen for new members and fresh enthusiasm but be careful not to tread on people's toes. Is there any fundraising you can help with? What about voluntary school or church groups? Social exclusion is also a problem in rural areas - young mums, the elderly and people with disabilities often lack access to transport - could you help out in any way?

National organisations
There are numerous national or regional groups with thriving local branches. Many have an educational or charitable purpose but are also a great source of social contact. Well-known examples include the Women's Institute, U3A (University of the Third Age), Rotary Club, Women in Rural Enterprise, the Workers Educational Association and the National Women's Register.

Local teams
Whether it's the pub quiz team or the local cricket club, small recreational groups are a great way to make friends and will help you to unwind at the weekend. You'll find details of local clubs on the parish noticeboard, village website, local paper or shop window. There's also a resurgence in the popularity of quilting bees and other craft groups.

Dogs and children
If you have children, it is inevitable that you will meet other parents via the school or baby and toddler groups. If you have dogs, you'll find they are a great conversation opener when you're out for a walk, especially if it's at the same time as parents are walking their children to and from school.

Managing the work/life balance
Most people move to the country in the hope of a better quality of life. Getting a good work/life balance is crucial to making this happen.

Commuting and country living
Almost a million people now travel more than 30 miles to their place of work - more of us want the benefits of rural life without having to give up our city jobs. On the plus side, commuters tend to enjoy higher wages than those employed locally, but there are downsides. Rural-urban commuters can spend as much as a third of their salary and almost half their day on travelling. Can you negotiate to work from home a day a week?

Joining in when you are a weekender
Even if you're planning only to stay at your rural retreat during weekends, it doesn't mean you can't play a part in village life. Take every opportunity to get involved in local events - carol concerts, village bonfires and summer fétes are usually held on Saturdays to maximise attendance. Don't bring your groceries with you from the city - support local shops and eat in the village pub.

Finding local employment
If commuting doesn't appeal and you don't feel able to go it alone, look for a job locally. Most market towns have a variety of businesses including banks, accountants, solicitors and shops and, increasingly, big companies and charities are relocating from city centres. If you're looking for a more traditional countryside career, both Land-Force and The Countryside Jobs Service specialise in horticulture, conservation and agriculture.

Ways to work from home
Just imagine. No commuting and the freedom to start and finish when you want. Working from home is a successful option for country dwellers but it takes careful planning to balance work and private life.

• Cultivate a support network with people in the same business
• Arrange meetings away from base to get you out of the house
• If working for an employer, have regular catch-ups in person
• Create a separate home office away from personal space
• Have clear boundaries. Decide when your working day starts and ends and then stick to it

• Countryside Jobs Service: Offers rural and environmental career opportunities 01947 896007 www.countryside-jobs.com
• Directgov: Information on local schools www.direct.gov.uk
• Home Business Alliance: Offers advice and support for homeworkers www.homebusiness.org.uk
• Independent Schools Council: Information on fee-paying schools 020 7766 7070 www.isc.co.uk
• Land Force: Jobsite for all work in the land-based sector 0870 770 1107 www.land-force.com
• National Women's Register: An international organisation of women's discussion groups 0845 450 0287 www.nwr.org
• Ofsted: Inspection reports for primary and secondary schools, daycare nurseries and childminders 0845 640 4045 www.ofsted.gov.uk
• The Open University: Offers the chance to study at home and gain qualifications 01908 274066 www.open.ac.uk
• Rotary International: Network of social clubs that do work for charity and the local community 01789 765411 www.rotary-ribi.org
• Rural Enterprise Scheme: Helps farmers develop new business opportunities www.defra.gov.uk
• UFindUs: Comprehensive lists of local services such as nurseries and crèches www.ufindus.com
• U3A (University of the Third Age): Encourages lifelong learning for retired and semi-retired people 020 8466 6139 www.u3a.org.uk
• Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE): Networking club that offers advice, support and expertise 0195 281 5338 www.wireuk.org
• Women's Institute: Encourages community activities and traditional skills for women 020 7371 9300 www.womens-institute.co.uk
• Workers' Educational Association: Largest provider of voluntary learning in the UK 020 7426 3450 www.wea.org.uk
• workSMART: Provides advice on rights, money, etc, to homeworkers www.workSMART.org.uk