Moving to a new city is a significant life change. You are leaving behind familiar surroundings, close friends and possibly family members as well. While a new city may offer you a new job or school along with exciting opportunities, it is easy to feel alone and isolated in a new city. If you don't know anyone in the city, there are many ways to meet new people and make friends for free. Making an effort to cultivate new friendships may take time, but it is well worth it. Friendships will likely improve your sense of well-being, reduce stress in your life and help you get through hard times.
Steps to Find Friends for Free
Step 1
Visit the social networking website Meetup.com to search for interest groups that appeal to you. Meetup.com is a social networking site that helps individuals coordinate offline group meetings. Popular groups include book clubs, cooking groups, sports leagues and business entrepreneur meetups. Memberships in the groups is free.
Once you have joined a group based on one of your interests, you may log onto the group's meetup website to view upcoming group meetings and events. Most of the time the group facilitator organizes the events and meetings and asks members to RSVP online prior to the event.
Step 2
Talk to people in coffee shops, on the street, in line at a grocery store and at your work. If after a short conversation the person ends up being someone you would want to be friends with, ask the individual if he would be interested in having coffee or lunch with you. You may say that you are new to the city and interested in meeting new people. Repeat your name because this is often forgotten during a first meeting---the individual may be embarrassed to ask again.
If you have a pet, visiting a dog park or walking your dog are great ways to get outside and meet people. You will also likely be meeting people with pets and therefore, you can arrange to go on walks together or meet at the dog park again in the future.
If you enjoy working out. Running outside or participating in scheduled races are other ways to meet individuals with similar interests. You may also choose to meet people at a local gym. Many people enjoy working out with a friend, so this setting gives you a reason to see friends regularly.
Step 3
Volunteer in your free time for a cause you care about. Most volunteer opportunities require you to work with others. You may choose to walk dogs for a local animal shelter, clean up parks, or work with children, for example. When volunteering, take the initiative to meet and get to know the other volunteers, your volunteer manager, and others working for the nonprofit company.
Step 4
Find alumni groups if you are a college graduate. To find alumni groups in your area, log on to your university's alumni website. Most alumni websites should have a section for alumni groups in different cities. If you cannot find a link on the site, contact your alumni office directly to inquire.
There is a greater chance your university will offer alumni groups if you attended a large university. Alumni groups often get together and attend sporting events, plan trips or organize social outings. Meeting people from a place you once lived will help you feel more at home in your new city.
Step 5
Find community clubs that meet in your area. Often public libraries will list local clubs or you may be able to find information about them on the web. While many sports leagues charge a small fee, you may be able to find groups of people that meet and play pick-up sports in parks.
Tips and Warnings
- Overcome any reservations or shyness you may feel about talking to new people. Be open to meeting new people and developing those friendships.
- When meeting new people, avoid being alone with them until you feel you know them well enough to be comfortable and safe in that situation. Initially, socialize in public places for your own safety.
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