New Beginnings: 7 Tips for Making Friends in a New City

Great Tips For How to Make Friends in a New City

Whether you are moving or just going for an extending holiday, being in a new city can be exciting and full of wonderful possibilities. However, if you are leaving behind a close group of friends, it can also be a bit daunting.

The idea of making friends in a new city can seem overwhelming. Where do you even start? Well, here are seven tips to help you get started.

965439

Making Friends in a New City: Getting Started.

As you start to explore your surroundings, talk to local shop owners. They tend to have the inside scoop on what is going on in the neighborhood. So, whether it is a block party bbq or a cool slam poetry night, they will be the ones with details for you.

Try Meetup:

Meetup, if you haven’t heard of it, is a website and app which helps you find classes and events in your area you are interested in. So, if you love sports, use it to find amateur leagues or get-togethers to watch your favorite team play.

Bookstores:

Bookstores can be a treasure trove of events and clubs aimed at getting like-minded people together. So, check out their website or bulletin board for upcoming meetings or book clubs you might be interested in.

As an added bonus, book clubs come with a built-in conversation starter.

Take a Class:

Remember how easy it was to make friends when you were in high school and college? Well, why not head back to school to meet some new friends?

Whether it is a cooking class or an art jamming class you can learn a new skill or brush up on one you already have and meet some cool like-minded people at the same time.

Break Some Bread:

On top of being something our body needs, eating can be a great way to bond with people. There is something relaxing and comforting about eating with people which helps build friendships.

If you are a bit of a foodie or just want to explore the local cuisine, let apps like EatWith help you to connect with other diners.

Get in Touch with Your Spiritual Side.

On top of religious services, many places of worship tend to have weekly social gatherings for any number of things. While this may not be for everyone, it can be a great way for some to connect with others. So, find a local congregation of your faith and get involved.

Give back:

Volunteering can be a great way to build meaningful relationships while improving your new community. It is another one of those activities which comes with a built-in conversation starter.

So, whether it is feeding the homeless, planting trees, building houses with Habitat for Humanity, or tutoring kids on weekends, giving your time to worthwhile causes can help you build lasting and meaningful relationships.