Move to new city. Check.
Get job. Check.
Rent apartment. Check.
Make friends. Working at it.
One of the scariest parts of moving was leaving all of my friends and family to head to a place where I knew almost no one. Renting an apartment by myself, without a roommate, added to my sense of isolation. For a while, I struggled to meet people, but after a few months and a bit of courage, I’ve met many new and interesting people - people that I now call friends.
I found that the easiest way to meet people is to find places where you feel comfortable. You will end up surrounded with people who have similar interests. If you like music, find some shows. Like to cook? Take a cooking class. Into yoga? There’s a studio every couple of blocks.
These small group activities make it much more natural to have a real conversation with someone. After all, you have a built-in conversation starter.
Your job can be another perfect place to find friends. A good way to transcend the line from co-worker to friend is by getting a group together after work for dinner or drinks. Common experiences create memories and things to talk about.
You may already know a few people in the city. Just like in “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” take advantage of the people they know and the people who they know. You’ll be surprised at what a small world it is.
Lastly, everyday activities can easily become opportunities to meet someone new. Using the apartment laundry room, a trip to the grocery store, a bus ride - all great opportunities to meet people. The trick is to look friendly and welcoming. It’s really not that much different than dating!
For me, moving somewhere new was a very scary, and at some points, very lonely, experience, but it has also been a great adventure. The best advice I can give is to hang in there, be brave and take some initiative. There are really great people out there who want to be your friend.
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