There are a lot of obstacles to moving across the country. The obvious ones are logistics and schlepping. Lots and lots of backbreaking schlepping. But once most of the boxes have been unpacked and you're sleeping on your own bed at night (as opposed to a dreaded air mattress or a futon), you can start to dip your toes into your new surroundings.

One of my favorite ways to introduce myself to a new city and to feel at ease in my surroundings is to go to the local farmer's market. Farmer's markets, as different as they may be from region to region, have a familiar feel to them. The produce and the vendors are different, but the vibe is much the same. Best of all, you can start to get a sense of what grows well in your region. This...