How to Meet People in a New City
When you’re new to an area or have moved to a new city entirely, getting out there and being sociable is daunting.
If all your family and friends live too far away to visit often, it can be doubly hard.
Especially for introverts, making friends in new city takes a lot of emotional energy and effort. But you can’t belly up and remain a hermit forever. You have to find places to meet new people.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to forge new connections. And thanks to the online websites and apps, exploring some of these options in your new hometown can be as easy as a few keystrokes. Others might be as simple as going out to explore the area.
Here are a few things to remember when figuring out where to meet people:
- Get to know your new city a bit first. Your local visitor’s bureau, Chamber of Commerce, or newcomer’s guide can be perfect resources for learning the lay of the land.
- Make finding new friends your second job. You have to be willing to put in the effort and try various socializing options before you find your “tribe.” But they are out there!
- Know that it will feel uncomfortable at first. It feels awkward to join a group or strike up a conversation when you don’t know anyone. That’s okay. You’ll get past that.
- Remember that one acquaintance can lead to friendship. You may not meet your best friends right away, but keep socializing with those who aren’t a perfect match. They can introduce you to others in their circles who might be.
- Be yourself. Of course, you want to put your best foot forward, but don’t twist yourself into knots trying to fit in. Just be who you are, and you’ll find the people who appreciate you and what you have to offer as a friend.
