A fresh start in a new city can be incredibly exciting, but moving somewhere alone isn’t for the faint of heart. In addition to getting settled into a new space and adapting to a different work environment, there’s a strong chance you’ll be looking to form new friendships as well. Fortunately, there are a handful of tips and tricks you can implement to help put yourself out there and start making connections right off the bat.
Six tips for meeting people in a new city
When relocating alone, you may be wondering how to meet people with similar values and interests in a new city. From using online resources to organizing in-person meetups, there are ample ways to connect with like-minded individuals wherever you are.
1. Volunteer in your community.
If you’re moving to another state alone, volunteering is a fantastic way to meet people and get acquainted with your new neighborhood. Volunteering strengthens ties to your community, helps broaden your support network, introduces you to people with common interests, and can be a fun and fulfilling way to spend your time.
Sites like VolunteerMatch make it easy to find volunteer opportunities near you with causes that pique your interest. Spending even a few hours of your time each month volunteering will undoubtedly benefit the organization of your choosing, but it’s also likely to help you combat relocation depression.
2. Join a religious group or cultural club.
One of the best tips for moving abroad alone, or even moving out of state alone, is to meet people through shared religion or culture. By becoming active in a local place of worship, you can engage with others who uphold the same beliefs and support you through life’s many twists and turns.
If you don’t practice a particular religion, you could join a cultural club representing your heritage within your city. Plugging into a group of friends with similar backgrounds, interests, and traditions is a great way to help you feel welcomed and less lonely in a new town.
3. Use online resources to your advantage.
While Facebook serves a variety of purposes, Facebook groups are perhaps the most beneficial feature for someone moving to a different state. These groups are community-based, allowing locals to gather online and discuss common interests or express opinions. With this platform, you could find a book club, a hiking crew, or even fellow sports enthusiasts to join on game day!
In addition to Facebook groups, Meetup is a fantastic resource that helps connect you with events in your area, so you can meet new people and try new things. With the Meetup app, you can effortlessly search what’s happening on the weekends and ways to get involved with your community, meaning you won’t miss out on a thing.
4. Take a course in something new.
Lifelong learning is an ongoing and self-motivated form of education, typically centered on personal or professional development. Taking a course in something new is one facet of lifelong learning, and it’s also a chance to meet people in your community.
Whether you’re studying the art of calligraphy, how to bake bread, or the secrets of organic gardening — learning something new is a sure way to enhance your skill set and possibly even make new friends. Who knows, you might hit it off with the person seated next to you in a foreign language class or someone using the potter’s wheel beside yours in ceramics!
5. Shop at local businesses.
Shopping locally is a fun way to support your city and surround yourself with others interested in doing the same. Spending your time (and money) at local cafes, breweries, boutiques, and farmer’s markets is one of the best ways to make friends since you’ll cross paths with such a diverse group of people.
In addition to getting to know fellow patrons, you’ll also build relationships with the hard-working owners and staff at these establishments. Forming loose connections with everyone from the bagger at the grocery store to the neighbor who always gets the mail at the same time as you, can help make your new city feel like home.
6. Step out of your comfort zone.
You’ve already demonstrated courage by moving to a new city alone, so why not step out of your comfort zone a bit more by tackling a hobby or activity unfamiliar to you! Getting out of your comfort zone will look differently for everyone. Depending on your typical hobbies, doing something new may involve joining a sports team, signing up for improv classes, or attending trivia night at your local pub.
When you stretch yourself to experience something outside of your norm, you can build up your confidence, learn a few things, and make a few friends along the way.
New City, New Relationships!
Moving to a new city or town can be incredibly exciting, but it’s not unusual for this transition to be intimidating. However, you can make yourself at home — wherever you go — by proactively building relationships and creating a cozy space to call your own. Turn any short-term living situation into a memorable and comfortable one with CORT’s furniture rental packages.
