Genuine friendships are something that improves the quality of lives, and having three to five buddies makes your life significantly healthier. There are several reasons why making friends in a new city is difficult and why many newcomers are struggling with that. If you’re relocating to a place where you don’t know anyone, some useful tips will come in handy.
We’ve all probably experienced loneliness at some point in our lives, and we can all tell that it feels awful. Feeling lonely is harmful to your health, just as being obese or smoking. Those that easily make friendships have a unique mindset that lets them feel comfortable around unfamiliar people, and they love to catch up on many topics that someone’s talking about. They feel no anxiety around unfamiliar experiences and love doing things they have never done before. You’re probably reading this if you’re not in that group and you don’t make tons of amigos every week, but even “social butterflies” sometimes struggle with meeting new folks after moving. Because of that, we prepared some tips on how to meet new people in a new city.
The first reason is the lack of opportunities. If you work from home or you’re in a company with many different types of personalities, it will be harder for you to create connections. It’s undoubtedly easier for those who work with like-minded folks with whom they share interests and activities. They also see each other every day for at least eight hours, so it’s very easy to bond with someone.
Making friendships after finishing your college packing list and relocating for education is also much easier than if you’re relocating to another town because of some other reason. Students are all very open to making connections, unlike adults, that can be very distanced from unfamiliar opportunities.
Let’s be honest – the whole process of relocating is very demanding, no matter the distance you move. This is especially true if you’re relocating to another state alone. You’ve got to learn how to move efficiently, read all the relocating tips, create a moving budget, and think of the possible things you forget to do when you move. If you’re relocating to a new state, you must get high-quality packing materials for moving in order to keep your belongings safe during the trip, and always be aware of possible relocation scams.
Even if you already learned how to pack a relocation truck and whether you’re supposed to tip movers, moving is still a daunting task that takes a lot of energy. After all of these things that you’ve done, it’s only logical that you’re feeling exhausted and you have no will or time to socialize. However, after a couple of weeks, you will get a desire to spend quality time with someone you like, and that’s when it hits you that you haven’t learned how to meet friends in a new city.
If you’ve made a decision to move, you’ll have to find a new circle of people to help you feel like you’re home, and the best way to do that is to get in the right mindset. Be open and inviting; be outside, and put yourself out there. If you spend your weekends at home watching Netflix alone, you’ll never get the chance to interact with others.
Even if you’re introverted, try to say yes to things you would usually say no to. Be open to invitations and try to keep a positive attitude. Accept that there will be awkward situations and conversations and that it’s totally normal. Your relocation is a huge adjustment, and it can be a struggle to adapt. Folks in the place you’re coming to already have their own group of pals, and they’re not searching for a brand-new BFF. To find a person that you can be connected with, you have to become the initiator.
Friendships require time, work, and energy. If you don’t try enough, your friendships won’t last long. You need the willingness to keep the relationship alive. Because of this, it’s easy to find someone you like, but the relationship might not stick. If this happens, don’t lose hope. It’s quite a common thing, and even though it can be discouraging, give your best to stay open to new experiences. All of us have many obligations during the day, and not everyone puts the same priority on friendships as they do to their work or romantic relationships. Another reason many feel pessimistic about new connections can be a bad first impression. They are often wrong, so don’t rely only on that when meeting someone.
Even though many suggest that it’s better to separate work and private life, catching up with your coworkers can be a good idea. If there’s someone you clicked with at work, why not go for dinner sometimes? They can introduce you to their group of mates, and in no time, you’ve got yourself a circle of acquaintances. Work connections can be a great way to have a friend for a drink on the weekend or during happy hour.
There are apps and websites made exactly for the purpose of helping you find out how do you create a social circle in a new city. Also, there’s social media. You can find like-minded folks there, no matter what your interests are. For example, suppose you’re wondering how do guys make friends in a new city, and you’re a car enthusiast. In that case, you’ll easily find others that love talking about classic cars vs. modern cars dilemma, and you can meet up and watch some of the best TV shows about cars in person.
MeetUp app is amazing for meeting people in your area that have similar interests. When you search the web, you’ll find a number of groups that you can join and go to brunches, lunches, and other similar meet-ups. Bumble BFF and Facebook are also great. There are other people just like you looking to make new buddies, and you’ll find them on these platforms.
There are many reasons why meeting someone online goes smoother than doing that in person. This is one of the easiest ways to connect and to let people know that you like them and that you’d want to meet up in person. If you find a friend of a friend on social media and follow them, you can start small conversations via commenting posts or stories. A positive attitude will lead you to a good relationship, and it’s proven that it’s much more likely to get good feedback from someone if they think that you like them. See if you know someone who lives in the place you’re relocating to and reach out to them online. They will most likely be your meet-up.
Dog owners are usually very communicative and friendly. If you love dogs, get one and you’ll have a lot to talk about with other owners. This is also a great way to spend time outside with your pup. If there aren’t a lot of parks where you moved to, you can go and walk your dog in some hot spots around the city. You will easily meet all the neighbors, local shop owners, waiters in cafes nearby, and others that live and work there. They will also help you get to know your surroundings and what you can expect from the place you’ve moved to.
For example, if there’s any driving stress there, and should you expect road rage from other drivers if you’re headed to a park that’s a bit further from your home. Even if you’re already familiar with driving in New York City, for example, or driving in Los Angeles, there’s still a lot to be learned from the locals. Also, don’t forget to check out how to remove dog hair that’s left in a car after you come back from the ride.
If you’ve moved to an area where residents are community-oriented, you’ll have plenty of activities to take part in. There will certainly be some weekly or monthly events that you can participate in. Also, joining clubs is one of the terrific ways to introduce yourself to your community. That can be a cultural club, running club, or any other kind of social organization. If you enjoy reading, there certainly are some book clubs.
Or you can join a sports team fan community in case you enjoy going to the games. Find folks that do something you like, no matter what that might be. If you’re already a part of some national organization, you can continue with that activity if they have their local branch there. If you’re religious, go to the local church. If there’s a gym in the neighborhood, get the membership and get to know the regulars there. The whole point is to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself in situations where you can meet people.
Volunteering is another amazing thing you can do to get to know your neighbors and like-minded folks. There are even ways to do it during Covid. Take a look at the video below to see how to volunteer online during pandemics.
If you decide to get auto transport and bring your four-wheeler with you to another state, you’ll have another amazing opportunity to meet someone. There are always beautiful places to drive to and explore, so you can just hop in the car and drive to all the amazing locations near your hometown. Call a car shipping company, and choose between door-to-door auto transport or terminal-to-terminal car shipping. You can get car shipping services on an open trailer if you wish to have a fast move, or check if the auto transport company offers enclosed auto transport for more safety during the trip. Be sure you prepare your car for shipping and get all the car shipping advice you can find. It’s best to get a company that can transport cars from state to state and provide you with household moving as well. After that, it’s only left to find out how to register your car in a new state and you’re ready for all the adventures that await you.
