How to Make Friends in a Brand New City

Moving to a new city is exciting, but let’s be honest, it can also be a bit lonely. Whether you’ve relocated for work, school, or just a fresh start, finding your tribe in an unfamiliar place is one of the biggest challenges of city living.

The good news? You’re definitely not alone, and there are more ways than ever to connect with others, even in the most fast-paced cities.

How to Make Friends and Form Connections

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s how to make friends in a brand-new city.

1. Embrace the “New Kid” Mentality

First things first: It’s totally okay to feel like the new kid in town. That sense of vulnerability? It’s your superpower right now. Being new gives you a perfect excuse to introduce yourself, ask questions, and step outside your comfort zone without feeling awkward. People expect you to be looking to connect, so use that to your advantage.

When someone says, “We should hang out sometime,” follow up. If there’s an event that sounds interesting (even if you’re not 100% sure it’s your thing), go anyway. If you want to make friends, this is the time to say yes more than no.

2. Live With Others

Where you live (and who you live with) can play a huge role in how quickly you make friends.

One of the easiest ways to meet new people is to share a home with them. Choosing an apartment or house share will give you social opportunities right out of the gate. Whether it’s grabbing a coffee in the morning or cooking together in the evening, the casual interactions with roommates can blossom into real friendships over time.

Platforms like SpareRoom make it easy to find like-minded people looking to share homes in cities across the U.S. You can filter listings based on lifestyle preferences, age range, or even hobbies, which means you’re more likely to find flatmates who might also become friends.

3. Become a Regular

One surprisingly effective way to meet people in a new city is to frequent the same spots. Whether it’s a neighborhood coffee shop, a local bar, a yoga studio, or the local dog park, showing up often will help you build familiarity with the staff and the other regulars.

Over time, you’ll start to recognize faces, exchange nods, and then names. Before you know it, you’ll be having conversations and making plans.

4. Use Technology

Apps aren’t just for dating anymore. There’s a growing list of platforms…