Moving Home – How To Make Friends In New Places

If you’re moving to a new home in a neighbourhood you’ve never lived in before, it can be quite exciting, but daunting too. There are, however, plenty of ways to get involved in the local community in your new area whether you’re living in a city, suburb, town or countryside. The tips below can help you immerse yourself in local life and make new friends that could last you a lifetime.

Work From Home Life

If you work from home, it can be difficult to get out and about but it is entirely possible to work elsewhere outside of your own home office. Decamp once a week, if your employer is happy with it, and find a co-working space or coffee shop to do some work in. Not only will you quickly become a regular with the owners of the place, but you’ll also likely bump into some others doing the same, which is a great way to make a few friends.

If you’re struggling to find kindred spirits, why not put a post on your community’s social pages, to see if you could set up a co-working, networking or social group for work-from-home-ers. While this may take a little initial work, it’s sure to be a welcome initiative for those currently getting bored of working within their own 4 walls.

Volunteering

Volunteering in the community is a great way to meet people. Whether you join a litter picking initiative, a community choir, or volunteer your time with the elderly in your new town or city, you’ll not only be able to feel like a big part of your new area, but you can also make connections with other volunteers.

Finding your feet

No matter what hobbies you like to enjoy, there’s sure to be a group that covers getting fit and being social. Whether you want to learn to dance, or get out and about with a hiking group, pairing your hobby with your desire to make friends is always a winning combination. 

Games events

From bingo to more niche gaming clubs, such as Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons, social gaming is another way to make new friends in the community. If there’s a gaming shop in your new area, check out what events they hold. You might find that there are competitions nearby where you can make even more friends.

Sports Clubs

If you’re into rugby, football or even sports like cricket or bowls, there’s sure to be a club to join, and teammates can often turn into really good friends. If you prefer to sit on the sidelines and support a local team, you’ll also be able to find kindred spirits by attending supporters’ clubs or going to games. Check out the social media pages of clubs near you to find out what’s going on

Parents Groups

Long gone are the days when parents groups such as the National Childbirth Trust were a group of mums and children sitting in a circle comparing notes on how their children were doing. These days there are plenty of classes for parents of all ages and stages of development, where children and adults can socialise, take part in activities together, and enjoy a bit of time out. From baby classes to parent and child fitness classes, joining a parent group that fits your preferences is a great way to break the ice with other parents, and your children might well make lifelong friends too.

Tips for making new friends

It’s not always easy to make new friends, particularly for those who are a little shy. Luckily, we’ve put together some tips to help you.

• Be confident on what you have to offer – Ask your current friends and family to describe you in 5 positive words. you might be pleased and maybe surprised at what they rate you for. Write them down somewhere you can see them every day; this is a great confidence booster that can help you realise you’re good enough to be friends with anyone.

• Help out at new events – If you find starting conversations difficult, try offering to help pour tea or coffee or set chairs out at events. It’s a great way to be able to have a conversation with someone without having to have that awkward face to face chat. Settling in after you’ve done this a few times will feel more natural.

• Don’t limit yourself – While time can limit the ways in which you can immerse yourself in the community, there’s no need to get in a rut. Try plenty of new things and you’re sure to end up with an eclectic group of friends you enjoy spending time with.