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How To Make Friends in a New City in Your 30s


Are you wondering how to make friends in a new city in your 30s? This blog post will cover 7 ways to form genuine connections in your 30s!

You move somewhere new, so much excitement in your heart and a twinkle in your eye, only to realize you don’t know anyone!

Making friends as an adult in your 30s can be tricky. When you move to a new city, it can seem almost impossible. You don’t have the same school connections as when you were younger or in high school, and work and family obligations often take up your free time. 

You might not live near your best friends anymore, but that doesn’t mean new friendships won’t form! When you’re in a new place finding good friends can take a while, so give it time! Connecting with people might put you out of your comfort zone, but it’s good for your mental health to form these connections.

You’re likely much busier than you were in your 20s and may not have as much energy or willpower to put yourself out there and socialize with strangers, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! This blog post will discuss some tips for how to make friends in a new city in your 30s. Keep reading to learn more!

How To Make Friends In A New City In Your 30s

1. Join social groups or clubs that interest you.

One of the best ways to make friends in a new city is to join a club or organization that aligns with your interests. This could be anything from a cooking class or book club to an outdoor adventure group or joining sports teams.  

These activities provide plenty of opportunities for interaction and connection with other like-minded people. Still, they also help to take the pressure off by giving an easy topic for conversation right from the start. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore your new city together. 

Additionally, you will find people who share your particular interests by joining these groups. Still, you may also find standard connections with people nearby or part of your broader social circle.

The benefits of joining social groups when making friends in your 30s:

If you’re feeling isolated and alone, joining social groups can help you make friends and feel more connected to your new community. There are many benefits to joining social groups when making friends in your 30s. 

  • First, social groups can provide a sense of community and belonging. This is especially important if you are new to a city or have recently experienced a significant life change, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. 
  • Social groups can also help you meet people with similar interests and hobbies, making it easier to find friends who are compatible with you. 
  • In addition, social groups can offer support and advice on topics such as parenting, careers, and relationships. 
  • Learn new skills, and explore your city.
  • Joining social groups can also help you make friends in your 30s who are in the same stage of life as you, making it easier to relate to one another.
  • Finally, social groups can simply be a fun way to meet new people and enjoy enjoyable experiences. 
  • You’ll also meet people with common interests of all different ages.

Whether you are looking for a support group or just a group of friends to enjoy some laughs with, joining social groups in your 30s can be beneficial. Besides that, taking the first step towards making friends in your 30s can be transformative.

2. Attend local events, meetups, and happy hours.

Another great way to make friends in a new city is to attend local events and meetups. This is an excellent opportunity to get out and explore your new city while meeting new people simultaneously. 

There are often meetups for all kinds of interests, so you’ll find one that’s perfect for you. And, even if you don’t see a rally that interests you, attending local events is still a great way to meet new people. 

Some examples of perfect local events for meeting new people include art gallery openings, concerts, festivals, and sporting events. These activities provide the ideal opportunity to discuss with someone new. Who knows – you might just make a friend for life!

As a bonus, these are all in public places so you can feel pretty safe attending them. You can also use an app like Bumble BFF. If you’re in a big city, like New York City, you’ll have plenty of options of people to meet!

The benefits of attending local events and meetups when making friends in your 30s:

When trying to make friends in your 30s, attending local events and meetups can be an amazingly effective way to connect with new people. 

  • These events provide an excellent opportunity to expand your social circle in a casual, low-pressure setting. 
  • Additionally, compared to using online or digital platforms for meeting potential friends, attending local events allows you to establish real-life connections that can help deepen those relationships over time.
  • Another key benefit of attending local events when looking to make friends is that they allow you to meet many different people. Whether you are interested in finding other people who share similar interests or hobbies or simply want to connect with others navigating their mid-30s transition period, these tools offer an excellent platform for building relationships in real life.
  • Finally, attending local events provides opportunities for engaging in conversation. Whether this means chatting with someone at the bar after the event, striking up conversations on public transit on the way home, or simply staying connected through social media platforms after the fact, going out into the world and engaging with people in person can help create bonds that last a lifetime.

Since most events revolve around a specific theme or purpose, they can be a great way to explore new interests and find people who have similar passions and a way to make friends in your 30s.

Whether you are new to a city or simply looking to expand your social circle, the activities in an event offer a casual, low-pressure setting for meeting new people and provide the perfect opportunity to establish real-life connections. So get out there and start making some new friends!

3. Volunteer for a cause you care about.

Volunteering is a great way to make friends in a new city while also giving back to the community.

When you volunteer, you can work with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about the exact causes as you. This can be a great way to establish relationships with people who share your values. 

Not only that, but volunteering is also a great way to meet new people and learn more about your new city. When you volunteer, you often have the opportunity to explore different parts of the city that you might not otherwise get to see. This can be a great way to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings while meeting new people.

There are many different ways to get involved with volunteering, so there is sure to be an opportunity that interests you. And, if you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. You can Google for “volunteer in [your city name]” to get an idea of what’s around you.

So whether you’re looking for a way to give back or simply want to meet new people in your new city, volunteering is a great option. Get out there and make a difference!

4. Get a job in your field or at a company you admire.

If you’re looking for a great way to make friends in your new city, consider getting a job in your field or at a company you admire.

This will allow you to meet new people who share your interests and passions, allowing you to learn more about your chosen profession. Additionally, working at a company you admire can be a great way to meet like-minded individuals who can help support and mentor you as you navigate your career.

Of course, landing a job in your field or at a company you admire may not be easy. But if you put yourself out there and take the time to network, the rewards can be well worth it. So don’t be afraid to reach out and start making some new friends today.

If you’ve moved for your first job out of college, reach out to your local alumni network! You never know who is also out there with you.

a brunette and a blonde standing in an apple orchard

5. Use your existing network.

Old friends can help bridge the gap to new friends. Reach out to friends of friends, and ask them to introduce you to their social circles. Or reach out to people you know in the city and ask for introductions. If you have a mutual friend, meeting up with them will help put you at ease and make things more comfortable.

You can also set up group events with your old and new friends so that everyone can get to know each other better. The perfect time to meet new people is now!

Especially when you both already have strong relationships with a mutual friend, making a genuine connection can be easier overall!

6. Don’t be afraid of small talk.

So many people avoid making new friends because they shy away from “small talk.”

But I’m here to tell you that small talk is really not that big of a deal. Think of it as your first point of entry into a new friendship. Small talk is a good way to brush up on your social skills, especially if you haven’t chatted with others in a long time!

Once you have the conversation flowing, it’s much easier to transition into more meaningful discussions and get past the small talk that can sometimes feel overwhelming at first.

So don’t be afraid of making a few casual small talk with new people in your city. It’s one of the easiest and most effortless ways to make friends in a new place.

7. Join an online community.

You can find all sorts of online communities these days, from forums and Facebook groups to Instagram hashtags, Twitter chats, and more.

These online communities are a great way to connect with like-minded individuals in your new city who you might not have met otherwise. And, since you already have something in common with these people (i.e. your love for the city), it’s much easier to start up a conversation and get to know them better.

So if you’re looking for an easy and effortless way to make friends in a new city, be sure to check out some of the online communities available in your area. You may be surprised by the friendships you can forge online!

You can bring your online connections into real life by suggesting a coffee shop meetup. It’s easy and you don’t have to stay long if the vibe isn’t right. However, it could also be the first step in establishing a real friendship! You’ll never know unless you try.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to make friends in a new city. Whether you try out one or all of these strategies, remember that it’s always possible to meet great people and find friends no matter where you go.

Final Thoughts: How To Make Friends In A New City In Your 30s

So, there you have it – many great tips for making friends in a new city in your 30s. We hope you found this blog post helpful. Making friends in a new town can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! 

New connections take time to form but you’ll never meet your new best friend if you don’t put yourself out there! We’re not young children anymore who can just meet people by proximity. It takes time and effort now that we’re in our 30s to make new friends!

By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to building relationships that will last a lifetime. So get out there and start meeting new people today! You might just make some lifelong friends in the. With a bit of effort and some patience, you’ll be on your way to building a great social life in no time. Best of luck!

About the Author

Nicole Booz is the founder of GenTwenty and GenThirty. She is an entrepreneur, author of The Kidult Handbook, and most importantly, Mama to two beautiful little boys. She loves reading, organizing her home, and living a simple, less toxic lifestyle. You've seen her in The New York Times, TIME, Insider, Inside Edition, New York Post, NextAdvisor, Forbes, Yahoo, HuffPost, and U.S. News & World Report.

Website: www.genthirty.com


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