How to Make Friends in a New City: 10 Easy Tips!

Moving to a new city means a new culture and new beginnings. While it can be a good opportunity for your life, it could also be stressful. Change is never easy, right? So why would moving to a new city, town, or country be any easier? Just because you have moved to a new city and left your old life behind doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it or make new friends.

Worries about moving away from your friends and life can hold you back from enjoying your new city. And let’s be real, saying goodbye to friends is sad. But, if you’ve moved cities and are looking to meet new people and make new friends, then I’ve got you covered. In this post, I have some tips to share with you on how to make friends in a new city.

10 Ways to Make Friends in a New City

Whether you are new to the city or just looking for ways to make friends in your adulthood, I have these tips to share with you on how you can make friends.

1. Meet friends through mutual contacts.

One of the best ways you can make friends is through mutual contacts. Meet with your coworkers or anyone you already know in the city and ask them for advice on how you can go around meeting new people to make friends. This way you might not have to meet strangers, just acquaintances for a while. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new friend in that group!

2. Use online platforms to find groups.

You can also go on online platforms such as Meet Up, Facebook groups, or other local apps to meet like-minded people. You can also find people or groups who share similar hobbies with you. Once you’re in those groups, keep an eye out for the next meeting date and try to join them. This way, you’ll meet and make friends who share interests and hobbies with you.

3. Talk to your neighbors.

Another way is talking to your neighbors. If you’re a social person, then reach out to your neighbors, chat with them, interact with them, and find common ground with them. This will help you open up with them about your wanting to meet new people. Your neighbors, if they’ve been living in the city for a long time, can help you with all the hot spots in the city where you can make friends.

4. Go to language cafes.

There are language classes and cafes where people from different cultures and backgrounds meet and exchange their stories and experiences. This could be a great way to learn about cultures and languages and also make friends in a new city. If you’re a music lover, then you can share your favorite music with people there and ask them for theirs. This can help you find something to bond over and make friends.

5. Be open to new experiences.

Don’t close yourself to new experiences in the new city. I know it might hurt you and make you feel sad for moving away from your loved ones, but don’t let that hold you back. Like I said, change is hard, but you can make something new from that change. In this case, make friends and meet people as much as you can. Say yes to events you think you would enjoy.

6. Join some new classes or clubs.

You can also make friends by joining local classes and clubs. It could be anything from a yoga class to a meditation one, or from a cooking class to a pottery class. Just look out for any classes and clubs near you that might interest you. This will be a good opportunity to try something new and make friends!

7. Join a local volunteer shelter.

Volunteering can be a great way to give back to the people but also a good chance to meet new people who share similar interests. If you’re someone who loves giving back to the community, then joining a local shelter or center can ensure you can do that and meet different people with whom you can create new memories.

8. Start practicing a new sport.

If you are into sports or physical activities, then you could benefit from starting a new sport or finding a sports club. This way, when you go for physical activities, you’ll have some company and make new friends. Sports is all about teamwork so why not bring that teamwork to personal life as well? Practicing your favorite sport can help you make new friends in a new place.

9. Go on dates.

You’ve seen the meet-cute scenes in movies and TV, right? Why not bring those meet-cute scenes to life? You can make friends (and even more!) by going on dates. Just because you’ve moved cities or countries, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your life. Meet people, go on dates, and have fun while making friends. Who knows, you might end up with someone more than a friend!

10. Be patient with yourself.

Nothing happens in an instant. Even friendships take time to form, so be patient with yourself. If you can’t seem to meet people or make friends, don’t lose hope. Keep trying, keep meeting people, keep going on dates. Remember to be patient if you can’t make friends. Know that change is hard on your mental health and you might not always know how to let go of old attachments. Just keep trying to adjust to the change. Meeting new people and gaining new experiences can help.

Friendships Take Time, But Can Be Worth It:

Moving cities can be exciting but overwhelming also. This kind of change can bring feelings of loneliness and anxiety as you adjust to the new place. Remember that these feelings are okay to feel and you can cope with them with patience and self-care.

Finding new friends will not happen in one night, but caring for yourself and engaging in healthy habits (and hobbies) can help you. If these feelings stay for long, then connect with a therapist for help. And who knows? Your new city might surprise you with the friends you meet and the experiences you gain!