Making Friends in a New City—Navigating New Bonds
Have you recently moved to a new city or town? You might be excited about this new adventure and change in your life—ready to explore the new place, culture, and people. Moving itself is a stressful task, but when you land in a new place, you might have another challenge—making friends in a new city.
Although technology has made it easier to keep in touch with your old friends through social media and various chatting apps, making new friends and hanging out with them is still necessary. In this article, let us explore how to make new friends who share similar interests and with whom you can spend quality time.
Tips For Excelling The Art of Making Friends in a New City
Here are some fun tips for making new friends in a new city!
1. Figure out, what kind of friendship you are looking for
Making friends as an adult might be a daunting task. So, ask yourself what kind of things you want to do together with this person and what are your expectations from the friendship. How would you like to communicate with the person—texting, calling or through social media?
Once you are clear about the ground rules, it will be easier to look out for new people.
2. Put yourself out there—online and offline
Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to put yourself out there. Visit new places such as coffee shops, book clubs, local shops, markets or local events to meet new people. You can also subscribe to dating or friendship apps or local Facebook groups to look out for new connections.
3. Use your network to meet friends of friends
Find new friends by using your old connections. Your old friends or old connections might know of people who stay in the same city as you and this might be useful for you to build up your social circle in the new place.
Ask your old friends to introduce you to the new connections in the new place. It might not turn out to be great friendships but at least you might find some solace in the fact that you know a few people in a new place.
4. Communicate with your neighbors
Be kind and polite to your neighbors, start a conversation with them, hold the elevator door for them, and invite them to a barbecue party. These small acts of kindness will go a long way.
Knowing your neighbors and being friendly with them will make you feel less lonely in a new environment.
5. Make the first move
Approaching people and making friends as an adult may feel a little strange to you. But making the first move need not feel weird or strange.
Start by introducing yourself and break the ice by asking some impersonal questions and some small talk. If someone is interested in the conversation, let it flow. If someone feels disinterested, then move on to the next person.
6. Find people who share similar interests
When you join a hobby class, dance class or fitness class, you might find people who have similar interests as you. Having similar hobbies can lead to great conversations and friendships.
7. Be active in your community
Getting out of your home and exploring the new city will help you in making new connections. Instead of shopping online, visit a local grocery store or a local farmers’ market. Buy clothes at a local boutique. Go out to a coffee shop to buy a cup of coffee and visit the local bakery to buy bread.
In these ways, you can actively create new connections in the new city.
8. Use social media and mobile apps to make new connections
Thanks to technology, meeting new people has become easier. Try dating or friendship apps to explore new connections. Search for local groups on social media.
9. Pick up group-oriented hobbies
Learn a new sport or craft or join a yoga class or join book clubs or running clubs. Such group-oriented activities will not only be a fun thing to do but also a great way to meet new people.
10. Connect with colleagues and coworkers
Connecting with coworkers can be a great way to make new connections. Go out for coffee or lunch together. Engage in group activities together or invite them to an event or concert.
11. Join a book club
If you are an avid reader and love to lose yourself for hours in the imaginary world of books, then joining a book club may be an ideal way of making new friends for you.
Regular book talks and meets offer a casual setup and there is no need for small talk in this case.
12. Throw a housewarming party to make new connections
Invite your next-door neighbors for a cup of coffee or throw a small housewarming party. Throw a watch party or an ice cream party or even a game night to spend time with and get to know your neighbors.
13. Join local Facebook groups
Joining local Facebook groups can be a very effective way of making new connections. You can simply search for the city name or the neighborhood you’re in and find the applicable Facebook groups.
14. Get a dog
Having a dog as a pet can not only be good for you in times of loneliness but also a great way of bonding with fellow dog lovers. You can make new friends in a dog park with fellow dog parents or chat up with people while walking your dog.
15. Attend local events
Scan through the cultural calendar of your new city and attend some interesting events. This is an amazing way of meeting people and having some fun at the same time.
16. Join a fitness or yoga class
Doing exercise regularly is good for your health and at the same time it is a brilliant way of meeting people. You meet the same people multiple times a week and can forge strong connections with them.
17. Learn a foreign language to meet new people
If you have moved to a new country where they speak a different language, signing up for a language class would be helpful to you. You will meet other people who don’t know the language and are new to the place and can share your experiences with them and also learn with them.
18. Become a charity volunteer
Volunteer for a good cause—it will enhance you as a person and you will feel great after giving back to society. You will also meet some like-minded people and have enriching experiences with them.
Parting Thoughts
Moving to a new city means change and change means getting out of your comfort zone. Meeting new people and making new friends in a new city can be a very daunting task. However, once you are clear of your expectations and are willing to go the extra mile, you will be able to make lasting friendships and connections.
So, keep an open mind and put yourself out there. Be patient as it may take time to get to know people. At the same time, do not forget your old friends in the process and keep in touch with them regularly.
