Moving to a new city feels like starting a video game on expert mode—except instead of collecting coins, you’re trying to collect actual human beings who want to grab coffee with you on a Tuesday. I get it. You’ve just unpacked the last box, your houseplants have somehow survived the journey to a new city, and now you’re staring at your phone on a Friday night wondering if talking to your Uber driver counts as social interaction. (Spoiler: it doesn’t.)
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about adult friendships: they’re hard. Like, really hard. When you’re a kid, making friends is as simple as sharing your crayons. As an adult? You need a strategic action plan, the patience of a saint, and the willingness to put yourself out there approximately 47 times before someone finally texts you back.
But don’t worry—I’ve cracked the code. After moving five times in ten years and building genuine friendships in each new city, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to meet like-minded people who’ll become your go-to crew. No fluff, no generic advice about “just joining a gym.” Just real, actionable strategies that actually work.
Insert image: Person moving boxes into new apartment with city skyline visible through window
The Brutal Truth About Making Friends as an Adult
Let’s start with some reality checks, because understanding the landscape is half the battle.
Why Adult Friendships Feel Impossible
Remember when you made friends in college by literally just existing in the same dorm hallway? Yeah, those days are gone. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, it takes approximately 50 hours of interaction to move from acquaintance to casual friend, 90 hours to become actual friends, and over 200 hours to reach “close friend” status.
That’s not a weekend—that’s a part-time job of friendship.
The biggest challenge? You’re competing with established social circles, busy work schedules, and the fact that everyone’s already exhausted from adulting. Add in loneliness in a new city, and you’ve got a recipe for Netflix binges and increasingly philosophical conversations with your houseplants.
The Mindset Shift You Need Right Now
Before we dive into tactics, you need to rewire how you think about friendship formation:
Stop waiting for the perfect friend to appear. You’re not going to meet your new best friend at Whole Foods because you both reached for the same organic avocado. Friendships are built through repeated, low-pressure interactions over time—not lightning-bolt moments.
Embrace the awkward. Every single friendship starts with two slightly uncomfortable people trying to figure out if the other person is cool or secretly collects toenail clippings. That initial weirdness is normal. Push through it.
Play the numbers game. For every ten people you meet, maybe two will become actual friends. That’s not a reflection on you—it’s just statistics. The mere exposure effect friendship principle tells us that familiarity breeds liking, so showing up consistently matters more than being instantly charming.
Think of building social confidence like working out. The first time you go to the gym, you’re sore and questioning your life choices. But after a few weeks? You’re the person casually deadlifting while giving advice to newbies.
Insert image: Diagram showing “50 hours → casual friend, 90 hours → real friend, 200 hours → close friend”
Best Apps and Platforms for Finding Local Connections
Alright, let’s talk digital solutions. Because while your grandma might tell you to just “strike up conversations at the grocery store,” we live in 2025, and there are genuinely brilliant apps designed specifically for platonic friend-making.
The Heavy Hitters: Apps That Actually Work
Bumble BFF remains the gold standard for a reason. It’s essentially Tinder for friendship—swipe-based, low-commitment, and surprisingly effective for meeting friends through hobbies. The interface is intuitive, and because it’s gender-segregated (you only see potential friends of your gender), it eliminates the awkward “are they hitting on me?” confusion.
The key to Bumble BFF success? Your bio. Skip the generic “I love travel and food” nonsense everyone writes. Instead, try: “Looking for someone to drag me to yoga classes I’ll complain about but secretly enjoy. Bonus points if you can explain cryptocurrency without making me want to nap.”
Meetup is the OG platform for finding local interest clubs. Search for literally anything—book clubs, hiking groups, tech meetups, board game enthusiasts, underwater basket weaving societies—and you’ll find a group. The platform hosts over 330,000 active groups globally, with particularly strong representation in major US cities.
Pro tip: Don’t just join groups. Look at the regular attendees in photos. If you see the same faces showing up consistently, that’s your target group. Consistency creates the repeated interactions needed for real friendship.
Niche Platforms for Specific Needs
Hey! VINA is explicitly designed for women seeking female friendships. If you’re a woman in your 20s-40s who’s tired of male-dominated networking events, this is your spot.
Nextdoor isn’t technically a friendship app—it’s hyper-local neighborhood social networking. But here’s the secret: your immediate neighbors are friendship goldmines. You’ll see them regularly (hello, mere exposure effect), and you already have shared context (your neighborhood). Search for local neighborhood groups hosting block parties, garage sales, or community clean-ups.
Peanut is essential if you’re a mother. It’s designed specifically for moms to connect over the shared chaos of parenting. Because nothing bonds people faster than collective sleep deprivation and toddler meltdowns.
Timeleft is the wild card—they host blind dinner parties where you’re matched with strangers based on personality tests. It’s like speed-dating for friendship, with food. High-risk, high-reward.
For the fitness crowd, ATLETO connects you with workout buddies for specific activities. Whether you need a running partner, tennis opponent, or someone to suffer through CrossFit with, this app has you covered.
The Dark Horse: Facebook Groups
I know, I know—Facebook feels about as cool as wearing socks with sandals. But stick with me.
Search “[Your City] Social Groups” or “[Your City] Newcomers” and you’ll find incredibly active Facebook community groups. The quality varies wildly, but the advantage is seeing the same people at multiple events, which accelerates friendship formation.
When joining these groups, be strategic. Look for:
- Active daily posts (not just event announcements)
- Members who regularly comment and engage
- Clear group guidelines that discourage spam
- Organizers who actually show up to events
Insert table: Comparison of friendship apps with pros/cons
| App | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bumble BFF | One-on-one connections | Large user base, familiar interface | Can feel like dating, requires active swiping |
| Meetup | Group activities | Established groups, variety | Hit or miss quality, commitment required |
| Nextdoor | Neighborhood connections | Hyper-local, practical utility | Skews older demographic |
| Hey! VINA | Women’s friendships | Supportive community | Gender-exclusive |
| Timeleft | Adventurous types | Unique format, built-in activity | Requires social confidence |
The Shared Context Method: Finding Your Tribe Through Hobbies
Here’s where the magic happens. Apps are great for introductions, but real friendships form when you’re doing something together repeatedly. I call this the Shared Context Method, and it’s based on decades of friendship research.
Why Hobbies Are Friendship Accelerators
When you join a sports league or take an adult education class, you’re automatically solving the three biggest friendship challenges:
- Built-in repetition (you see the same people weekly)
- Shared interest (automatic conversation starter)
- Low-pressure environment (you’re focused on the activity, not forced small talk)
Think about your current close friends. How many of them did you meet through a shared activity versus a random one-time encounter? Exactly.
High-ROI Social Activities
Join a sports league. Even if you’re athletically challenged, look for “social leagues” that prioritize fun over competition. Kickball leagues are notorious friendship factories—they’re essentially drinking clubs disguised as sports. ZogSports operates in over 30 US cities and explicitly markets themselves as social networking events.
Regular group fitness classes. The key word is regular. Don’t class-hop—find ONE class (yoga, spin, CrossFit, whatever) and commit to the same time slot every week. You’ll start recognizing faces, which naturally leads to post-class coffee invitations.
Local volunteer opportunities are underrated friendship goldmines. Organizations like VolunteerMatch connect you with causes in your area. Whether you’re serving meals at a food bank or helping with animal rescue, you’re meeting people who share your values—which is the definition of like-minded.
Community center activities are the adult equivalent of after-school programs. Most cities have recreation centers offering everything from pottery classes to language exchange nights. The prices are usually subsidized, so you’re meeting people across income levels rather than just young professionals.
Local book clubs provide structured conversation around a shared experience. Check your local independent bookstore or library—they often host free clubs. Bonus: you can gauge compatibility before committing to friendship based on someone’s take on the latest thriller.
The Niche Strategy
Here’s an advanced move: the more specific your hobby, the stronger the initial bond with potential friends.
General running group? Fine. But trail running group for people training for ultramarathons? Those people become your family. The specificity filters for genuine shared passion rather than casual interest.
Finding friends with shared niche hobbies requires digital detective work:
- Reddit subreddits for your city + hobby
- Discord servers (especially for gaming, tech, creative pursuits)
- Specialty shops (local game stores for D&D groups, craft stores for knitting circles, climbing gyms for belay partners)
Insert image: Person joining group fitness class with diverse group of people
From Acquaintance to Friend: Proactive Tactics That Work
This is where most people fumble the bag. You’ve met cool people, had good conversations, and then… nothing. Because nobody knows how to transition from “nice chatting with you” to “want to grab drinks Friday?”
How to Start a Conversation with Strangers (Without Being Weird)
Forget pickup lines—this isn’t a rom-com. The best conversation starters for new friends are situation-specific observations or genuine questions.
At a Meetup event: “Is this your first time here, or are you one of the regulars I should be asking for insider tips?”
At a fitness class: “I’m dying. Please tell me it gets easier.” (Shared suffering bonds humans faster than almost anything.)
At a volunteer event: “What made you want to get involved with this organization?”
The key is asking open-ended questions that invite storytelling, not yes/no answers. And here’s the secret sauce: self-disclosure. After they answer, share something vulnerable about yourself. “Yeah, I just moved here three months ago and realized I spend more time talking to my plants than humans, so here I am.”
The Critical Follow-Up: How to Actually Exchange Contact
This is the moment where social anxiety peaks and most potential friendships die. You’ve had a great conversation, the event is ending, and you need to suggest staying in touch without coming across as desperate.
Here’s your script: “Hey, I really enjoyed chatting with you! Would you want to exchange numbers and grab coffee sometime?”
That’s it. No elabor explanation needed. No apologies for being forward. Just a straightforward invitation.
If you’re feeling shy, try: “Are you on Instagram? I’d love to keep in touch.” Social media is less intimidating than phone numbers for some people.
The 48-Hour Follow-Up Protocol
You got their number—congrats! Now don’t squander it by either texting immediately (overeager) or waiting two weeks (they’ve forgotten you exist).
Timeline: Text within 24-48 hours.
Template: “Hey [Name]! It’s [Your Name] from [Event/Activity] yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic you discussed]. Would you be interested in [specific low-pressure activity] sometime next week?”
The specificity matters. “Want to hang out sometime?” is vague and forgettable. “Want to check out that new taco place on Wednesday evening?” gives them an easy yes/no decision.
If they don’t respond or say no: This is fine. Seriously. Remember the numbers game? You’re planting seeds. Some will grow into friendships, others won’t. Don’t take it personally—they might be overwhelmed, in a relationship that takes up their social time, or simply not looking for new friends right now.
Asking Someone to Hang Out (The Art of Low-Pressure Invitations)
The first few hangouts should be:
- Time-limited (“Want to grab coffee before work?”)
- Activity-based (Not “let’s hang out” but “want to check out that farmers market?”)
- Low-commitment (Easier to say yes to lunch than a full Saturday commitment)
Avoid dinner for early friendships—it’s too intense and time-consuming. Stick to coffee, lunch, walks, or specific events with natural endpoints.
After three successful one-on-one hangouts, you’re officially friends. Congratulations! Now you can suggest more involved activities.
Insert image: Two people laughing over coffee at a local café
Don’t Start from Zero: Leveraging Your Existing Network
Here’s a friendship hack most people overlook: you don’t have to build everything from scratch.
Reach Out to Alumni Networks
Your university has an alumni chapter in your new city. Use it. These people are literally pre-disposed to help you because you share institutional identity. Search “[Your University] [City] Alumni Association” and show up to events.
Even if you graduated a decade ago and haven’t thought about your alma mater since, this is a warm lead that beats cold-approaching strangers.
The Professional Network Pivot
Your coworkers are an obvious starting point, but here’s the nuance: you need to transition from professional to personal gradually.
Don’t invite your manager to trivia night your first week. But the person in your department who also mentioned loving horror movies? Send them a message: “Hey, I saw that new A24 film is playing at [theater]. Would you want to check it out this weekend?”
Connecting with co-workers outside work requires reading social cues. If they repeatedly decline invitations or keep conversation strictly work-related, respect that boundary. Some people compartmentalize their lives, and that’s okay.
Ask Current Friends for Introductions
If you have friends in other cities, ask if they know anyone where you’re moving. This is a massively underutilized strategy.
Message: “Hey! I’m moving to Austin next month. Do you know anyone there I should connect with? Even if it’s just someone who can recommend good coffee shops, I’d love an introduction.”
People love playing connector. You’re giving your friend the opportunity to be helpful, and you’re getting a warm introduction to someone new. Win-win.
The Social Media Announcement
Post on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn: “Just moved to [City]! If you know anyone here I should connect with, or if you have recommendations for [your interests], drop them in the comments!”
This works surprisingly well. Distant acquaintances, old college friends, and random high school connections will DM you with introductions.
Connecting with Neighbors
Your neighbors see you regularly, creating natural opportunities for building casual acquaintanceships that can evolve into friendships.
Start small: wave hello, comment on their dog, ask for restaurant recommendations. Then escalate to inviting them over for a casual BBQ or game night.
Nextdoor is goldmine for neighborhood social interaction. Look for posts about block parties, garage sales, or “new to the neighborhood” threads.
Insert image: Neighborhood block party with people mingling
Special Strategies for Specific Situations
Not everyone’s situation is identical, so let’s address some unique challenges.
How to Make Friends After 30 (or 40, or 50)
Making friends after 30 in a new city requires acknowledging that priorities shift. You’re likely juggling career demands, possibly family, and less disposable free time than your 20s.
The efficiency strategy:
- Target activities that serve multiple purposes (networking + fitness = running clubs with professionals)
- Leverage parenting if applicable (playground parents, school communities)
- Focus on depth over breadth (build 2-3 solid friendships rather than a massive social circle)
The good news? Adult friendships tend to be more intentional and less drama-filled than younger friendships. You know yourself better and can identify compatible people faster.
Best Way to Meet Other Couples in a New City
Couple friendships require double compatibility—both partners need to mesh with both people. It’s mathematically harder, but the rewards are worth it.
Couple-friendly activities:
- Double date-structured events (wine tastings, escape rooms, cooking classes)
- Neighborhood potlucks
- Board game nights (explicitly say “bring your partner”)
- Sports leagues that welcome couples
Use apps like Coupler specifically designed for couple friendships, or join “couples” sections on Bumble BFF.
Making Friends While Shy and Introverted
If the thought of walking into a crowded Meetup gives you hives, you need introvert-friendly strategies.
The quiet approach:
- Start with one-on-one activities (coffee, walks, museum visits)
- Use asynchronous communication (DM before meeting in person)
- Choose structured activities where you’re not expected to constantly socialize (art classes, volunteering)
- Attend the same event multiple times—observe before actively participating
Books like Quiet by Susan Cain provide excellent frameworks for introverts navigating social situations.
Overcoming social anxiety doesn’t mean becoming extroverted—it means finding social contexts that don’t drain you.
Making Friends When You Have Social Anxiety
Social anxiety requires professional support, but here are friendship-building strategies that work within those constraints:
- Set micro-goals: “I’ll attend for 30 minutes” rather than the whole event
- Bring a comfort object (a book, your phone—something to hold)
- Have exit strategies (drive yourself so you can leave when overwhelmed)
- Start online: Join Discord communities where you can build rapport before meeting face-to-face
Consider therapy or apps like BetterHelp to address underlying anxiety while simultaneously taking small social steps.
Where to Meet Friends Without Drinking or Going to Bars
The “let’s grab drinks” default excludes a significant portion of the population. If you’re sober, don’t drink for religious reasons, or simply don’t enjoy bars, try:
- Tea houses and coffee shops (the “third place” concept)
- Breakfast or lunch spots (day drinking isn’t the only option)
- Outdoor activities (hiking clubs, morning runs, cycling groups)
- Board game cafes (social + engaging activity)
- Fitness classes (naturally alcohol-free)
- Spiritual/religious communities (churches, meditation centers, yoga studios)
Check out organizations like Club Soda or search “sober social events [your city]” to find explicit non-drinking gatherings.
How to Find Friends Who Share Your Specific Niche Hobbies
General interest groups are great, but niche hobbies create instant deep connection. The more specific, the better.
The Niche Finder Toolkit:
- Reddit: Search r/[YourCity] and r/[YourHobby] and look for local meetup threads
- Discord: Most niche interests have thriving Discord servers—many organize local meetups
- Facebook: Search “[Hobby] [City]” for hyper-specific groups
- Specialty stores: Comic book shops for D&D groups, yarn stores for knitting circles, camera stores for photography walks
- Convention/conference communities: Attend local conventions and join post-event social groups
For example, if you’re into film photography, check r/analog for local photowalks, or join the Film Photography Project Discord.
Insert table: Where to find niche hobby groups
| Hobby | Best Platform | Example Community |
|---|---|---|
| D&D/Tabletop | Local game stores, r/lfg | Adventurers League |
| Film Photography | Reddit, Instagram meetups | Local photo walks |
| Coding | Meetup, Discord | FreeCodeCamp local groups |
| Running | Strava clubs | Local running stores host group runs |
| Writing | Meetup, libraries | NaNoWriMo regional groups |
Long-Term Friendship Maintenance: Making It Last
Congratulations—you’ve made some friends! Now comes the part nobody warns you about: sustaining those connections.
How to Nurture New Friendships
Early-stage friendships are fragile. They require consistent effort to evolve from “people I occasionally see” to “genuine close friends.”
The consistency principle: See your new friends regularly. Weekly is ideal, bi-weekly is minimum. This isn’t about grand gestures—grabbing coffee for 30 minutes counts.
Establishing repeated interactions is the secret sauce. Sign up for the same weekly class, create standing plans (“trivia every Tuesday?”), or join the same sports league season after season.
The initiation burden: In new friendships, someone has to take the lead on planning. Rotate this responsibility to avoid burnout, but don’t keep score obsessively. Some people are natural planners; others are happy followers.
Qualities of a Good Friend (and Red Flags to Watch For)
Not everyone you meet will become a close friend, and that’s okay. Here’s what to look for:
Green flags:
- They reciprocate invitations and effort
- Conversations flow naturally without constant awkwardness
- They remember details from previous conversations
- They’re reliable (show up when they say they will)
- You feel energized, not drained, after hanging out
Red flags (how to avoid flaky friends in a new city):
- Consistently canceling plans last-minute
- Only reaching out when they need something
- Making you feel bad about yourself
- Not respecting your time or boundaries
The three-strike rule: If someone cancels three times without rescheduling, stop initiating. They’re telling you through actions that they’re not interested. Move on guilt-free.
Balancing Old and New Friends
As you build new connections, don’t ghost your long-distance friends. Maintaining both requires:
- Scheduled calls with old friends (put them on the calendar)
- Strategic visits back to your old city
- Introduction of circles: Invite old friends to visit and meet your new crew
- Different needs, different friends: Your old friends might fulfill emotional support roles while new friends are adventure buddies—both are valid
Investing in Social Capital
Think of friendships as investments. The time and effort you put in now compound over years into deep, meaningful relationships.
Prioritizing social life after work means:
- Saying yes to invitations even when you’re tired
- Blocking social time on your calendar like meetings
- Reducing screen time to create space for real connection
- Choosing activities that genuinely interest you (don’t join a book club if you hate reading)
Research from the American Psychological Association shows that strong social connections are as important for longevity as quitting smoking. This isn’t optional self-care—it’s essential.
Insert image: Group of diverse friends laughing at dinner table
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to meet like-minded friends as an adult?
The most effective strategy combines consistency with shared context. Join recurring activities aligned with your interests—weekly sports leagues, regular fitness classes, or hobby groups. The key is seeing the same people repeatedly in low-pressure environments. Apps like Meetup and Bumble BFF can facilitate introductions, but real friendship develops through consistent, in-person interaction over time.
What apps are best for making platonic friends in a new city?
Bumble BFF leads for one-on-one connections, especially for women in their 20s-40s. Meetup excels for group activities and interest-based communities. Nextdoor works well for neighborhood connections. Hey! VINA serves women specifically, while Peanut targets mothers. For niche interests, explore hobby-specific Discord servers and Reddit communities for your city.
How long does it take to make a new friend after moving?
Research indicates it takes approximately 50 hours of interaction to develop a casual friendship, 90 hours for a real friend, and 200+ hours for close friendship. Realistically, expect 3-6 months of consistent effort to build genuine friendships in a new city. The timeline accelerates when you join recurring activities that provide regular contact opportunities.
Where can I meet friends without drinking or going to bars?
Try coffee shops, tea houses, fitness classes, hiking clubs, volunteer organizations, board game cafes, book clubs, community centers, religious or spiritual groups, and morning running clubs. Search “[your city] sober social events” for explicitly alcohol-free gatherings. Many cities have thriving non-drinking social scenes—you just need to know where to look.
What are good conversation starters to find shared interests?
Ask open-ended questions: “What brought you to this event?” “What do you do for fun around here?” “Any recommendations for [restaurants/activities] in the area?” After they respond, share something personal to create reciprocity. Avoid yes/no questions. Listen actively and ask follow-up questions about topics they seem enthusiastic about. Authentic curiosity beats rehearsed questions.
How can I make friends when I have social anxiety or am introverted?
Focus on small, structured environments rather than large crowds. Try one-on-one coffee dates, activity-based hangouts (art classes, volunteering), and online communities before meeting in person. Attend the same event multiple times to become a familiar face before actively socializing. Set micro-goals like “stay for 30 minutes” rather than the full event. Consider therapy alongside social efforts.
Is it easier to make friends in a small town or a big city?
Each has advantages. Big cities offer more activity options, diverse communities, and explicit friend-making platforms, but competition for people’s time is fierce. Small towns have limited options but tighter communities where you’ll naturally see the same people repeatedly. Success depends more on your strategy and persistence than city size.
What are the key signs of a genuine, like-minded connection?
Look for effortless conversation flow, mutual reciprocation of effort (they initiate plans too), shared values and humor, feeling energized rather than drained after hanging out, and them remembering details from previous conversations. Red flags include one-sided effort, frequent cancellations, and interactions that feel forced or uncomfortable.
How often should you follow up after meeting a potential friend?
Text within 24-48 hours after meeting with a specific invitation to a low-pressure activity. If they respond positively, aim for the first hangout within a week while momentum is fresh. After the first hangout, wait 4-7 days before suggesting a second meetup. Once you’ve hung out 3-4 times successfully, you can transition to more spontaneous communication.
How can I find friends who share my specific niche hobbies?
Use Reddit city subreddits and hobby-specific forums, Discord servers for your interest area, Facebook groups for “[hobby] [city],” specialty retail stores (game shops, camera stores, yarn stores), and local chapters of national organizations. The more specific your search, the better. Don’t just search “photography”—search “film photography walk [your city].”
Your Action Plan: What to Do This Week
Reading about making friends won’t actually get you friends. You need to take action. Here’s your starter plan:
Today:
- Download Bumble BFF and Meetup
- Search Facebook for “[Your City] Social Groups”
- Join one subreddit for your city and one for your primary hobby
This Week:
- Attend ONE Meetup event (mark your calendar now)
- Swipe through 20 profiles on Bumble BFF and start conversations
- Identify one recurring activity you’ll commit to (fitness class, sports league, volunteer shift)
This Month:
- Attend the same activity 3-4 times to become a recognized face
- Suggest a one-on-one hangout with someone you vibed with
- Post on social media announcing your move and asking for connections
This Quarter:
- Establish standing plans with at least one new person
- Join a longer-term commitment (sports league season, class series)
- Host a small gathering to introduce your new friends to each other
The Bottom Line: You’re Not Alone in This
Here’s what nobody tells you: literally everyone in a new city feels exactly how you’re feeling right now. That person at the Meetup who looks super confident and connected? Six months ago, they were where you are, wondering if they’d ever find their people.
Building a social life from scratch is uncomfortable, exhausting, and occasionally humiliating. You’ll attend events where you know nobody. You’ll initiate conversations that fizzle out awkwardly. You’ll suggest hangouts that get declined. You’ll wonder if you’re fundamentally unlikable or if everyone in this city is already socially fulfilled.
You’re not unlikable. Everyone is not socially fulfilled. They’re just as busy, anxious, and uncertain as you are.
The difference between people who successfully build friendships in new cities and those who don’t isn’t charisma or extroversion—it’s persistence. It’s showing up consistently even when it’s easier to stay home. It’s initiating plans even when you fear rejection. It’s recognizing that friendship formation is a skill that improves with practice.
One year from now, you’ll be the person welcoming the next nervous newcomer to your running club. You’ll have inside jokes, standing dinner plans, and a group chat that pings all day. You’ll wonder why you ever worried about making friends.
But that only happens if you start today.
So close this browser tab, open Meetup, and sign up for an event this week. Your future friend group is out there—you just need to show up and give them the chance to meet you.
Ready to dive deeper into building authentic connections? Check out our guide on maintaining long-distance friendships while building new local ones, or explore how to identify your friendship values to find truly compatible people.
Downloadable Resource: [7-Day Friend-Making Action Plan Checklist] – Get a daily roadmap for your first week in a new city, complete with conversation scripts, app setup guides, and activity recommendations.
Have you successfully built a friend group in a new city? Drop your best tips in the comments below—I’d love to feature reader strategies in our next update!