A Guide To Finding Comfort & New Friends In Your New City
You finally did it, you said goodbye to your friends, family and the place you've called home for so long. You packed all of your belongings in a U-haul truck and headed for the city where dreams are made of. Now that you are here, what do you do? Where do you start? This can be an exceptionally difficult time for any newcomer.
Buying and selling a home in a new city can be intimidating, but it can also be rejuvenating! Relocating can be a joyous occasion, a fresh start, an exciting new endeavour. In this article, we're going to take a look at all the exciting ways you can join a new community and hopefully find the courage to start anew.
1. Volunteering
There are so many opportunities for volunteering in your new city! This is a great way to meet like-minded people and become part of the community. Volunteering allows you to get involved with the life of your community and even hone that volunteer experience into an exciting career opportunity. If you're not sure where to start, check out VolunteerMatch.org, where you can actively seek out volunteer opportunities close to your new home!
2. Meet people on mobile apps
In our world of technology, we can connect with new people in an instant! Everyone knows about online dating, but have you thought about using mobile apps to meet new friends? There are lots of great mobile apps for socialising that you can download right now! For example, Meetup is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests and provide suggestions on what you can do when you get together. Meetup has helped to create communities for more than two decades and is still one of the most popular socializing apps!
3. Join a sports team
Whether you are a fan of the game or simply looking for a group to get out and do something active with, joining a sports team is a great way to find fun people in your new city! Most cities have several sports teams designed for all kinds of people of all skill levels. If you have a more competitive nature and love that team-spirit atmosphere, getting involved in sports is the perfect way to meet a new group of friends.
4. Join a gym or workout class
Gone are the days when working out meant lifting weights in your parents' basement. Today there are many ways to exercise socially! Joining a gym is an excellent way to meet new people and create relationships with like-minded individuals. Many gyms offer different types of group workouts, these are great because you get to meet plenty of people while doing something you love!
5. Visit local shops
One of the best ways to get involved with your new community is to take advantage of all it has to offer. This includes checking out local shops and restaurants, many people frequent these places regularly. Shopping locally is not only a great way to support your new community, but it's a great place to establish new and lasting relationships with people who are completely invested in your new hometown.
6. Read the little coffee shop flyers
Many people in the community love to frequent coffee shops. Coffee is a social thing, not only is it relaxing and enjoyable but we all know that talking about your morning coffee with others is an easy conversation starter! When you go into a shop always pick up the little flyer and read the top five things to do in town this week. This will put you in the know of what is going on around town and give you plenty to talk about with your new friends!
7. Join a faith group
If your faith is one of the most important aspects of your life, then finding a faith group is an excellent way to connect with new people and establish a community. This can be done through your local churches or synagogues. Faith groups are typically tight-knit communities so if you are searching for open arms and smiling faces, this could be the perfect opportunity! Another benefit of joining a faith group is that they often participate in local events and reach-out programs, offering even more ways to get involved in your new community.
8. Join or start a book club
Many people enjoy reading, what better way to broaden your horizons and make new friends than by joining a book club! Most towns have at least one group that meets weekly or monthly to discuss different books. One of the best ways to start researching book clubs in your community is to hit up your local library.
9. Join a wine club
If you enjoy a glass of wine with your book club or while shopping on the weekends, joining a local wine club is an excellent way to meet new people and discover great wines. Many towns have multiple clubs that meet regularly to taste and compare different types of wines. Whether it's reds, whites, rosés, sparkling, or dessert wine your local wine club is a great place to meet others and discover new favourites. Be sure to follow the nearest winery to your town to find out more about upcoming events that they may be hosting.
10. Take your dog to a dog park
Taking your furry friend to the local dog park is a great way to make sure they get an afternoon of exercise and socialization. Visiting a dog park not only gives your pup a chance to interact with other adorable pups, but it can be a great opportunity for you to meet people who are visiting the park with their dogs as well. Don't have a canine companion of your own? No problem! Apps like Rover are the perfect way to get involved as a dog walker or dog sitter within your new community.
11. Go to a bar hosting trivia night
Going to bars is a great social activity, but it's even better when you get to participate in some trivia! There's something so welcoming about a group of people bonding over drinks and games. Trivia night at your local bar is also an excellent opportunity for new friendships. People love taking part in trivia night so there will usually be more than enough people available to join up with and mingle with.
12. Bond with your co-workers
If you have been hired as a new employee in a large company, chances are there will be plenty of other folks to meet. Maybe they even attend the same faith group or book club as you or go to the same bar for their trivia night! Co-workers can be great friends and even better people to turn to when you find yourself in a new place.
13. Be a good neighbour
If you are renting your home or apartment, one of the best ways to get involved is by being a good neighbour! Shoveling snow in the winter, mowing the lawn in the summer, taking out the garbage - all great adds to your community! Being friendly and outgoing towards your neighbours will help them see that you are trustworthy and they can rely on you if something goes wrong. It won't be long before they are inviting you over for dinner or sending chocolates your way to celebrate the holidays!
14. Visit nearby national parks
If you live in a smaller town or city, chances are there isn't much to do. Why not take the opportunity to explore the great outdoors by visiting one of your local national parks! National park passes are typically inexpensive and will grant you access into these breathtaking lands. Whether it's seeing the sights at Niagara Falls or hiking through Banff National Park, visiting the local national park near your place of residence is an excellent way to meet great people.
There are many great ways to get involved in your new community and meet new people. From joining a book club to visiting the local national park, there are plenty of opportunities for you to bond with others over shared interests. There's nothing more thrilling and more empowering than getting out of your comfort zone and exploring a new city! If you're taking on this exciting new adventure, check out What's My House Worth to research some amazing new areas!
