How to make friends in a new city can be a challenging question to answer, especially when you’re adjusting to a completely new environment. Moving to a new city can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to making new friends. Whether you’ve relocated for work, studies, or just a fresh start, building a social circle from scratch can take time. But don’t worry! Here are 10 easy and practical ways to make friends in a new city and build meaningful connections.
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10 easy ways to make friends in a new city
1. Join Local Meetup Groups
When you’re new to a city, joining local groups or attending events is one of the best ways to meet like-minded people. Platforms like Meetup, Facebook Groups, and Eventbrite host a variety of interest-based gatherings—from tech meetups to hiking groups or creative writing workshops. These groups offer a laid-back way to connect with people who share your passions, and they can provide a natural starting point for building friendships.
Pro Tip: Look for groups centered around your hobbies. Whether it’s hiking, reading, photography, or even something niche like gardening or knitting, find events that speak to your personal interests. This will make it easier to start conversations and build connections.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider checking out different meetup platforms. How to make friends in a new city becomes much easier when you’re meeting people who already share something in common with you. The key here is consistency. Regular attendance will help you get to know people over time, turning casual acquaintances into real friendships.
2. Attend Community Events
Another fantastic way to make friends in a new city is to attend local events. These could include everything from farmers’ markets and street fairs to cultural festivals and live music concerts. These events are typically full of people looking to engage and enjoy the same activities, making it easier to approach others and strike up a conversation.
Action Step: Subscribe to city newsletters, join Facebook event groups, or regularly check local event calendars. Keeping track of free or low-cost community events will give you plenty of opportunities to get out there and meet people.
What’s great about attending community events is that there’s no pressure to immediately form deep relationships. Instead, these casual interactions can evolve naturally into something more as you bump into people at recurring events. You’ll find that over time, the more events you attend, the more familiar faces you’ll see, which is a great foundation for making lasting connections.
3. Explore Co-Working Spaces
For those who work remotely or are freelancers, a co-working space is a goldmine for how to make friends. These spaces are designed to foster a sense of community, and many host networking events, social mixers, and workshops. Working in a shared space gives you a regular opportunity to interact with others and get to know them in a professional yet friendly setting.
Why It Works: Co-working spaces encourage casual interaction and collaboration. You’ll often run into the same people on a daily or weekly basis, which naturally opens up opportunities to chat and build relationships. Additionally, since many co-working spaces cater to creative professionals or entrepreneurs, you’re more likely to meet people with similar career aspirations or business-minded attitudes.
If you’re working remotely, consider joining a co-working space as part of your routine. It’s a win-win situation—access to a productive work environment and an opportunity to meet potential friends. Many co-working spaces even have specialized lounges, coffee bars, and events where you can meet people who share your professional and personal interests.
4. Take a Class or Join a Workshop
Learning something new can be a great way to make friends while expanding your skillset. Whether it’s cooking, yoga, photography, or dance, classes offer a structured environment where you can interact with others. This creates an excellent opportunity to learn how to make friends in a relaxed setting. The shared experience serves as an instant conversation starter and builds a natural bond.
Bonus Tip: If you’re wondering how to make friends, look for classes that involve group activities or partner work. For example, signing up for a partner-based dance class or a group cooking workshop is ideal because it encourages direct interaction, which makes it easier to connect with others.
Classes also provide a long-term opportunity to form friendships, as you’ll see the same people week after week. Over time, you’ll bond over lessons, discuss progress, and even practice outside of class. As you develop your skills, you’ll also develop meaningful friendships.
5. Use Social Media & Friendship Apps
In the digital age, how to make friends in a new city is easier than ever before, thanks to apps designed for meeting new people. Platforms like Bumble BFF, Friender, and even Instagram allow you to search for people in your area who are also interested in making new friends. These apps offer a convenient way to meet people based on common interests, and in many cases, they’re tailored to people specifically looking to build their social circle.
Try This: Post about your hobbies or interests on your Instagram feed or stories, and use location-based hashtags. This is a subtle way to attract locals who share your passions, whether it’s fitness, travel, or local events.
Additionally, joining city-specific groups or following local influencers can give you insight into social happenings around you. These platforms not only allow you to meet people in your area but also enable you to establish a connection before meeting in person.
6. Volunteer for a Cause
Giving back to the community is one of the most rewarding ways to make friends in a new city. Volunteering provides a chance to meet people who share similar values, and it can also be a way to learn more about your new home. Whether you’re volunteering at an animal shelter, helping out at a food bank, or supporting an environmental cause, these activities offer a natural way to form meaningful friendships.
Where to Start: Websites like VolunteerMatch and Idealist can help you find volunteer opportunities in your area. Consider reaching out to local nonprofits, as many are always in need of helping hands.
What makes volunteering particularly effective is that it brings people together over a shared purpose. By volunteering your time, you are not only helping those in need but also building relationships with others who are similarly committed to making a positive impact in the community.
7. Join a Gym or Sports Club
Fitness centers, yoga studios, and recreational sports leagues are not only places to stay active—they’re also fantastic venues for learning how to make friends. Whether you’re into group fitness classes, martial arts, or team sports, these environments offer plenty of chances to meet new people. It’s easy to strike up a conversation before or after class, and many gyms also host social events or group outings, giving you more opportunities to socialize and connect.
Best Options: If you’re wondering how to make friends, look for group fitness classes, yoga workshops, or local recreational sports leagues. These activities encourage teamwork and collaboration, which makes it easier to form lasting connections.
Another bonus is that regular attendance at the gym or fitness center helps you become familiar with the same faces over time. This consistency is perfect for turning initial casual interactions into more meaningful friendships.
8. Visit Cafés and Hangout Spots Regularly
Sometimes, how to make friends in a new city is as simple as becoming a regular at a local café, bar, or park. By visiting the same spots regularly, you start to become familiar with the staff and other customers. Over time, these casual interactions can blossom into friendships.
Conversation Starter: Compliment someone’s book choice, ask for local recommendations, or simply say hello to the barista and fellow regulars. The more you frequent a spot, the more likely you are to encounter the same people, which builds familiarity and opens up more opportunities to chat.
Even casual interactions like asking for directions or striking up a conversation about the weather can lead to connections if you’re approachable and friendly.
9. Network Through Work or Alumni Groups
If you’ve moved to a new city for work or school, your job or alumni groups are excellent avenues for how to make friends in a new city. Work events, team-building activities, and casual after-work gatherings are designed to help you bond with colleagues. Similarly, reaching out to alumni from your college or university can help you connect with people who already share a common experience with you.
Pro Tip: If you’re at a new job, initiate a coffee meet-up or happy hour with colleagues. You could also attend industry networking events or reach out to people on LinkedIn who live in your city.
These professional networks are often full of opportunities to meet people in a social setting, where building friendships feels more natural. Being proactive about participating in work events or alumni gatherings can fast-track your social life in a new city.
10. Be Open and Take Initiative
At the end of the day, how to make friends in a new city boils down to one key factor: being open and taking initiative. Start conversations with strangers, say yes to invitations, and step out of your comfort zone. The more approachable and proactive you are, the more likely you are to make connections.
Final Thoughts
Building a social life in a new city takes time, but with a positive attitude and the right approach, you’ll be able to how to make friends and create a meaningful social circle. Whether it’s through community events, fitness activities, or volunteer work, there are countless opportunities to meet new people and form lasting friendships. Remember, the first step is simply putting yourself out there—making friends in a new city is all about effort, consistency, and a little bit of courage.