From Strangers to Squad: A Guide to Making Friends in a New City

Relocating to a different city will undoubtedly alter every aspect of your life. You will find yourself in a completely unfamiliar setting, having employment in an unfamiliar workplace, or attending a school where you don’t know anyone. This will be the biggest challenge you have to overcome – meeting all those unfamiliar people you will have to encounter every day. In all seriousness, stop for a second and try to remember when was the last time you made a new friend. But worry not because, with our helpful overview, you will be attracting acquaintances left and right.

Is Making Friends in a New City Really That Hard?

Leaving behind everything you ever knew can be extremely difficult. Whatever your motivations for moving are, many will suffer from depression and anxiety after relocating due to the fact they will live on their own or because they’ll have to say goodbye to family and close friends. You might have to consider choosing a cross-country moving company for the job at some point so you can concentrate in case you are planning a last-minute move or are relocating for a job.

By now, you should be prepared that it will be hard to figure out how to make acquaintances when you are not familiar with anyone. It will be substantially more difficult if you’re a shy person who prefers a trusted social circle. Yet we all long for friendships in our lives, and with the appropriate technique, you might gain some surprisingly fast.

How to Make Friends in a New City? The Whole Process Heavily Depends on Your Personality Traits

Don’t let all the chores surrounding the before and after the move process stop you from coming out of your shell. For your well-being, before it’s time to move, do some move-out cleaning, and make a thorough move-out list. Be sure to check who you need to notify when relocating, find a suitable place to live, look for a job before relocation, and think about what long-distance moving services will suit your needs the best, so you can enjoy all the benefits of relocating.

When you finally arrive at your location, go through unpacking and setting your belongings in the perfect spot. After your place has some sense of home, start wandering around your perimeter, and check the proximity of pharmacies, hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, bus stations, and paths to get to your work faster. Only when you get all this off of your shoulders will you be ready to learn how to meet friends in a new city. Unfamiliar surroundings are a perfect stage for shedding all those stereotypes you thought were too embarrassing.

Don’t let self-doubt make you question if this was the right thing to do. Don’t ask yourself if you should just move back home. In the end, you did the right thing, as you probably moved for a very good reason in the first place. We have all been in a situation where our shyness takes the best of us and stops us from even starting a conversation with a stranger. Try being more outgoing and proactive – rip the bandaid, as you have nothing to lose. This will help you learn how to meet new people in a new city, as it will become second nature to open yourself to strangers. With our helpful tips, you’ll be the talk of the town in no time.

Find Someone You Know – Even a Friend of a Friend Can Help You Build Your Social Circle

We are all aware that relocating to a new state away from everything and everyone we are familiar with can be daunting. That is why it is a good thing to find at least one person your family or friends know. It is important to have a network of acquaintances that know the place like the palm of their hand and to have someone you can reach out to in case of emergency.

It Will Help You Immensely to Visit the City Before You Move

If you are relocating to a new city alone, it will be even better to squeeze in a few trips there and get to know the surroundings better. Note the best places for socializing, notify your neighbors about coming into the neighborhood, think about adopting a pet, and see how close the green areas are to your home. With good preparation, you can’t go wrong.

If You Moved for a Job, Know That Colleagues Can Be Good Friends as Well

Getting a job is one of the first things to consider when moving to a new state. However, if you are relocating for a career opportunity, you will have to be ready to adapt to your colleagues as well. Getting them on your side is much easier than you think. Always have a smile on your face, be warm, feel the atmosphere, and insert a joke here and there. Keep in mind that you should never refuse to go out with your colleagues, as it is easier to be relaxed and friendly outside the workplace.

Here is the video with some helpful tips on how to introduce yourself.

Go to the Local Events and Mingle

When you are a newcomer, it’s important to keep your ears open to the talk of the town and neighborhood. If you catch wind of upcoming events, festivals, or a local sports game, you should be there, as this is a fantastic opportunity to be carefree and to mingle around. Local farmer’s market is also a perfect spot to shine, as the talk about food brings out the best in us. Find an outdoor activity that you like, and you will be the master of your domain.

Join a Local Community Club to Kick-Start Your Social Life

Remember to do some research before you even reach your destination. Look for interesting local communities or clubs that you could join. Go online and search for a local traveling agency and check the trips they offer that you could apply for. If you like sports, look for gyms and outdoor recreational spaces that fit your needs, as these are the best places to get familiar with people with similar interests.

Join Your Colleagues for a Drink or Dinner

It is important to keep your social and professional life apart, so you should try not to talk about business when you have a night out with colleagues. This is a perfect opportunity to present yourself in the best light possible. Learn about their hobbies, what books they read, the movies they watch, and what cuisine they prefer.

This is the easiest way to find out if you have anything in common. Try to join them on their next trip to the cinema, book club, or gym. Keep in mind if they can’t get out, you shouldn’t be afraid to hit the club alone, as this will be a good opportunity to encounter locals freely.

Getting a Dog Will Help You Meet Fellow Dog Owners

No matter if you are relocating with a pet of your own or you plan to adopt a dog when you arrive, the furry companion will keep you entertained and open to meeting other dog owners. You won’t have to worry about the topics with them, as many can talk about their fur babies from dusk till dawn. You will be coordinating walks in the parks and gaining acquaintances out of work in no time.

Use Social Media Groups and the Power of the Internet

Everything in life has its good and bad sides, which perfectly stands for the World Wide Web. Social media comes in handy in situations like this, as you might have someone in the friend list who is living in the city you are relocating to. It is easy to hit their DMs on Facebook or Instagram with a lunch or coffee offer and wait for a positive outcome. Here is a list of some of the greatest friendship apps out there that you should check out:

• Meetup,
• Nextdoor,
• Ablo,
• Bumble BFF,
• Yubo,
• Peanut,
• Friender,
• Wink,
• Meet My Dog,
• Foursquare City Guide.

Other Means for Encountering New Folk

We already established that leaving the comfort zone is a must, but let’s go through some ways to meet people you might overlook or haven’t thought about. Here is the list of things you should consider in case some of our previous tips weren’t fruitful.

Let a Long-Distance Moving Company Handle Your Business So You Can Concentrate on More Important Matters

When planning to move to a new city, picking the cheapest time of the year to move or even deciding what to keep can be incredibly stressful. If you’re not sure how to relocate efficiently, our cross-country movers in California and Seattle are here to make your journey one to remember. With us, your stress levels will be non-existent as you won’t have to worry about a thing.

California-Seattle Express is the right company to handle your relocation, as we have a wide array of services on offer. We can offer you professional packing for all of your belongings, from the tiniest of items to the largest ones. If you decide to use our storage facilities, you will get free storage service for a month. Contact us today for your free quote, and let us make this adventure go as smoothly as possible.