There are smart ways to meet new people and make friends when moving to a new city. Let’s explore some of the best resources for meeting people when moving to a new city.
Meetup
One resource is Meetup, which is an online platform that helps people with similar interests meet up in person. There are Meetup groups for all sorts of interests; from hiking, to knitters, to dog lovers.
You can search for meetups happening in your area by interests and activities -there are meetups for just about everything! From hiking and biking groups, to book clubs and wine tastings, there’s a meetup for everyone. Another idea is if you can’t find a meetup that fits your interests, you can always start your own.
BumbleBFF
BumbleBFF is a feature of the popular dating app, Bumble, that helps you find friends in your area. You can even specify what kind of friend you’re looking for (i.e. someone to go to the gym with or someone to explore the city with).
To use BumbleBFF, simply change your settings in the app to indicate that you’re looking for friends, not dates. Then, start swiping right on profiles of people you think you might like to be friends with.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is an excellent online platform that connects people who are looking for a place to stay with people who have an extra couch or room in their home. This is a great way to meet locals and get insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and sightsee.
Couchsurfing is a global community of travelers. Most members can use the site to find a place to stay when traveling. Couchsurfing also has a feature called Hangouts, which helps you find events and meetups happening in your city.
Your Own Backyard
A simple thing that most people don't think of is... reaching out to your neighbors. Talk to people in your building or on your block, go for a walk or run around your neighborhood, or attend local events. Learn about the people who live near you! By meeting new people in your neighborhood you'll feel more connected to your new city.
