One of the big concerns parents have when moving is whether their children will be able to make new friends. For children, though, making friends typically comes naturally as they meet classmates or neighbors their age, whether they have anything in common or not. There’s often a bigger struggle for adults, as routines and commitments can get in the way, and adults usually aren’t exposed to as many people every day. So when you find yourself in a new place, it can be difficult to make new friends with the alacrity one could as a child. Adults have to make a conscious effort to find new friends. Here are some tips to help make that happen.
Find interest-based meetups. Whatever your hobbies or interests, if you live in a city, you can bet that there’ll be a public meetup group where like-minded folk can mingle. Whether it’s birdwatching, fantasy movies or trainspotting, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find others following the same pursuits.
Volunteer for causes you’re passionate about. If you believe strongly in a cause, volunteering in that field will bring you into contact with others who share your passion. Working as a team to evoke change in any environment will bring you into contact with people you share common ground with.
Use your current friend network. If you already get on well with someone, it’s pretty likely that you’ll get along with other people in their circle. Ask a friend for recommendations for new people you can hang out with. Be specific: for example, ask if they know anyone you could play tennis with.
Join classes. If dancing is your thing, find a local dance class. If you’re a fitness fanatic, join a spin class. If you feel your culinary skills are rusty, find a cookery class. Think about things you’ve always wanted to try but never had the chance to; most adult classes will usually have some kind of social element.