How to Meet People in NYC When You’re New to the City

Meeting new people in a new city, especially a big city like New York City, can feel intimidating. There are so many people, but actually making and maintaining friendships isn't always easy and can require a lot of effort and vulnerability. The older we get, the harder it can also feel to make friends.

Whether you already have a solid friend group and are looking to expand, or are starting fresh, here are some tips for finding your people.

Pursue Your Hobbies and Interests

By pursuing activities related to your hobbies and interests, you will be surrounded by like-minded people who you already have something in common with–a natural conversation starter. 

Some ideas include: 

Volo Sports: Recreational sports leagues lasting for several weeks (you can create or join a team) with corresponding social events 

Art classes: Many studios offer pottery, painting, or drawing clases for several weeks

Volunteering: Cleaning up a local park, helping at a homeless shelter such as The Bowery Mission, helping distribute food, or tutoring children

Gym or fitness classes: Yoga, cycling, or pilates studios, or group fitness classes offered at your gym

Facebook or Instagram groups: For various interests or communities, such as walking (City Girls Who Walk), running, book clubs,

Stay Consistent

Building friendships takes time and effort, and might require you to initiate plans several times, until it is reciprocated, as people are busy in the city and can forget. Follow through on saying you’re going to ask someone to hangout, after you get their number. 

Staying consistent in your activities can also help create friendships. Attending the same workout class or doing work at the same coffee shop at the same time every week might lead to running into the same crowd. This repeated exposure might naturally lead to the formation of a friendship.

Don’t Be Afraid to Put Yourself Out There

Introducing yourself or asking someone to hang out is scary, but often the only way to make progress. Whether it’s asking a coworker to hang out outside of work, introducing yourself to your neighbors in your apartment building, or starting a conversation with a stranger at a coffee shop, you never know what it might lead to. Remember that there is no harm in trying, and that rejection is not a reflection of yourself. Remind yourself of the bravery it took to put yourself out there. So many people in the city are also looking to meet more people–all it takes is one person to take a chance!

You can also try platforms designed to meet new people like:

222: A platform that groups you into a dinner party based on an interest form, and every dinner group meets at a bar afterwards

Bumble BFF: A friend version of the dating app Bumble, where you can swipe to find people you click with

Ask Around

Don’t be afraid to ask other people how they made (or are still making) friends! People who have lived in the city for a while might have unique tips for meeting people, or even introduce you to their friends that they think you might get along with. 

Final Takeaway

Making new friends can be draining, and can require trial and error, so don’t be hard on yourself if friendships aren’t sticking. The first few people you meet might not be your lifelong best friends, but it’s a step towards finding your community. Remember to offer yourself grace in this new chapter and make time for self-care, so your battery doesn’t die.

We would love to be a stable support system while you transition to a new city and find your people.