The best way to make friends in a new city is to create regular opportunities to see the same people. Choose one recurring activity, one place where you can return each week and one simple way to follow up after meeting someone. Friendship becomes much easier when your new city starts to feel familiar.
If you have moved for remote work, study, travel or a fresh start, you can build a social circle while staying true to your personality. A class, a coworking space, a local group or a shared meal can give you a natural reason to meet people and keep seeing them.
Are you looking for close friends, weekend plans, a community of remote workers or simply a few familiar faces? This guide explains how to meet people in a new city through eight practical methods, plus a seven-day plan to help you turn first conversations into real connections.
The quickest way to build a social circle in a new city
Start with a combination that matches the kind of connection you want. One-off events can introduce you to many people, while recurring activities give conversations more time to develop.
| If you want to… | Start with… | Your first step |
| Meet many people quickly | A local event, meetup or community gathering | Introduce yourself to one person and ask what brought them there |
| Build closer friendships | A weekly class, sports group or volunteering project | Return at the same time next week |
| Meet other remote workers | A coworking space, workation group or digital-nomad community | Join a shared lunch, event or coffee break |
| Find friends who are also new | Newcomer groups, language exchanges or international communities | Ask whether the group has a regular weekly plan |
| Keep things simple and affordable | A running group, book club, public workshop or neighborhood activity | Choose one activity you would genuinely enjoy attending again |
Connection grows through small, repeated actions. The World Health Organization’s 2025 report on social connection highlights everyday ways to strengthen community, including joining local groups, volunteering and creating opportunities to interact with others. Its advice supports the central idea of this guide: a social circle grows through participation, repetition and follow-up, through many ordinary interactions. You can read the WHO report on social connection for more context.
8 practical ways to make friends in a new city
The most useful answer to “how do I make friends in a new city?” is usually a combination of several small habits. Try the options that suit your energy, interests and weekly routine.
1. Choose a recurring activity
Look for something that meets every week or every two weeks: a language class, yoga session, run club, dance course, climbing group, board-game night, photography walk or volunteering project.
The activity gives you an easy conversation starter, while the recurring schedule gives you a natural reason to see people again. The first day can simply be about learning one name, asking one question and returning for the next session.
At the end, try a simple follow-up:
“Are you coming next week?”
That question can turn a pleasant conversation into the beginning of a routine.
2. Join groups where people already want to meet
When you are learning how to find friends in a new city, start with communities that already have a social purpose. Search for language exchanges, international groups, creative communities, sports clubs, newcomer meetups, professional events or neighborhood gatherings.
If you are in Spain, WanderPad’s guide to groups for meeting people in a new city can help you identify the kinds of communities and activities worth exploring locally.
Before joining, look for signs of regular activity: recent posts, upcoming events and conversations that include new members. A group becomes much more useful when it offers a rhythm you can return to.
3. Create a regular third place
A third place is somewhere you spend time outside your home and work. It could be a café, library, park, gym, community center, coworking space or neighborhood market.
Choose one place that feels comfortable and visit it at a similar time each week. Familiarity works in your favor: staff and regular visitors start to recognize you, and small conversations become easier.
You can make this more intentional by choosing a spot with shared spaces and communal seating. Sit near a shared area, attend a workshop or ask someone about the activity they are doing. A familiar place gives your social life a steady starting point.
4. Use coworking spaces and work-friendly cafés
Remote work can give you flexibility, but your workday can also become a natural opportunity to meet people. A coworking space, work-friendly café or community workspace often brings together people with similar routines.
Start with small moments: say hello to the person who sits nearby, ask whether they have tried the lunch spot around the corner or join a community event. You can also suggest a short coffee break in a relaxed format.
If you work remotely and are choosing your base, WanderPad can help you discover spaces and build a routine that combines focused work with opportunities to connect locally.
5. Consider coliving or community-oriented housing
Where you live can shape how often you meet people. Coliving houses, shared apartments and community-oriented residences can make everyday interactions easier through shared kitchens, lounges, events and group activities.
This option works especially well if you have just arrived and want a social starting point while you learn the city. You still have control over how much you participate: you might join a shared dinner one evening, work in a communal area or simply ask another resident for a local recommendation.
If you are exploring this type of accommodation in Spain, WanderPad’s guide to how coliving in Spain works compares the format with renting a room or living alone.
6. Turn conversations into simple invitations
Meeting people is the first step. A clear, low-pressure invitation helps you create the second one.
Instead of waiting for the perfect plan, suggest something connected to the conversation you have already had:
- “You mentioned you like hiking. I’m planning a short walk this weekend. Would you like to join?”
- “I’m going to try that café next week. Want to come for a coffee?”
- “Are you free for lunch after the coworking event?”
- “A few of us are going to the market on Saturday. You’re welcome to join us.”
Specific invitations are easier to answer than a general “we should hang out sometime.” Keep the plan simple, include a time or day and make it easy for the other person to suggest an alternative.
7. Look for newcomer and international communities
Newcomer communities bring together people who are often open to meeting others. Look for language exchanges, international clubs, Erasmus events, digital-nomad groups, expat communities and local cultural activities.
These groups can be particularly useful if you are still learning the city or the local language. You may meet people from different backgrounds, while also discovering neighborhoods, events and traditions through them.
To build a balanced social circle, combine international communities with at least one local activity. This gives you access to people who understand the experience of arriving somewhere new and people who know the city from a local perspective.
8. Host a small plan yourself
You can create a social opportunity yourself by inviting two or three people for coffee, a walk, a casual dinner, a board-game evening or a shared work session.
Small plans feel approachable and give everyone more time to speak. You can also make the invitation open to people you have met in different places: someone from a language exchange, a coworking space and a weekly class may enjoy meeting each other.
Try a clear invitation such as:
“I’m putting together a small Saturday coffee and walk. Would you like to join?”
Creating a plan helps you become part of the social life of your new city and gives your new routine a first shape.
How to meet people in a new city when you work remotely
Remote workers often benefit from designing more social structure into the week because work can happen independently from colleagues in person. A few repeatable habits can give your routine more connection while keeping your calendar comfortable.
| Habit | What it creates | A simple way to start |
| Work from the same community space once or twice a week | Familiar faces and easy conversation starters | Choose a regular day and time |
| Join one weekly community activity | Repeated contact with the same people | Pick something connected to your interests |
| Take a shared lunch or coffee break | Informal conversations outside work | Ask someone nearby where they usually eat |
| Send one follow-up message each week | A chance to move from contact to friendship | Suggest one specific, relaxed plan |
| Host a small activity once a month | A wider circle that connects different groups | Invite three to five people to something simple |
You can focus on one or two consistent social anchors. A simple rhythm is usually more useful than a crowded calendar of unrelated events.
A seven-day plan to start meeting people
If you are wondering how to make new friends in a city and need a practical first step, use this one-week plan. Adapt the timing to your schedule, but keep the order: find a place, join a group, start conversations and follow up.
| Day | Action | What to look for |
| Day 1 | Choose one recurring activity and one third place | A weekly class, group or space you would enjoy revisiting |
| Day 2 | Visit the third place or a coworking space | One familiar routine you can repeat |
| Day 3 | Join a local or international group online | A recent event or conversation that feels welcoming |
| Day 4 | Attend the activity or event | One person you would like to speak with again |
| Day 5 | Send a short follow-up message | A shared interest or a natural next plan |
| Day 6 | Suggest coffee, lunch, a walk or a group activity | A simple plan with a clear day or time |
| Day 7 | Review what felt natural and repeat it | The activity or place you want to make part of your week |
The first week is about building the first pieces of a routine that can support a social circle.
How to turn a new contact into a friend
The transition from a good conversation to an actual friendship usually happens through follow-up. Think of it as three small steps: remember something you discussed, send a message within a few days and suggest a specific plan.
Use the next-step message
Mention the shared moment so the message feels personal:
“It was great talking with you at the language exchange. You mentioned you like trying local bakeries. Would you like to get coffee next Saturday?”
Keep plans specific and easy
Choose an activity with a clear beginning and end. A 30-minute coffee, a walk through a neighborhood or a shared lunch gives both people enough structure while leaving space for the connection to grow.
Keep showing up
Friendships often become more comfortable through repetition. Return to the class, group, café or workspace where you first met. Each new interaction gives you more context and more opportunities to make plans.
Which way of making friends fits your lifestyle?
Your best method depends on your personality, interests and schedule. Use them as a filter so that building a social circle feels like part of your life.
| Your situation | A good starting point | Why it works |
| You enjoy structured activities | Weekly class, sport or volunteering | The activity provides a natural conversation topic |
| You prefer deeper conversations | Small groups, book clubs or creative workshops | Smaller settings create more time to connect |
| You work remotely | Coworking, work-friendly cafés and digital-nomad groups | You meet people with similar work patterns |
| You are new to the language | Language exchanges and international communities | The format makes introductions easier |
| You enjoy organizing plans | Small dinners, walks or weekend activities | You can bring together people with shared interests |
| You want to meet local residents | Neighborhood events, volunteering and local clubs | You connect through the city’s existing community life |
Ask yourself: What kind of people do I want to see regularly, and what activity would make me happy even before I meet someone new? That answer will usually point you toward the most sustainable option.
Frequently asked questions about making friends in a new city
These answers can help you choose your first step and make the process feel more practical.
How long does it take to make friends in a new city?
The timeline varies because friendship depends on your routine, interests and the number of opportunities you create. A weekly activity, regular third place and consistent follow-up can help you build familiarity from the first few weeks.
How can I meet people in a new city when everyone is new to me?
Begin with structured places where introductions feel natural: classes, volunteering, language exchanges, coworking spaces, sports groups and newcomer events. Tell the organizer that you are new and ask which activity happens regularly.
What is the best way to find friends in a new city?
The best approach is usually a combination of one recurring activity, one community or newcomer group and one personal invitation. This gives you several ways to meet people while keeping your routine manageable.
How do remote workers make friends in a new city?
Remote workers can combine coworking spaces, work-friendly cafés, professional communities and local social activities. Choose at least one place where you work regularly and one activity unrelated to work so your social circle can grow around shared interests as well as professional routines.
How do I move from small talk to friendship?
Ask a follow-up question, remember something the person mentioned and suggest a specific plan. A coffee, walk, lunch or shared activity creates the next opportunity to speak and makes the connection easier to continue.
Let your new city become familiar, one connection at a time
Learning how to make friends in a new city is less about finding one perfect group and more about creating a weekly rhythm that brings you into contact with people you enjoy. Choose one place, one activity and one invitation to begin.
If you are still deciding where to build your next routine, WanderPad’s guide to the best places to live in Spain can help you compare cities by lifestyle, cost, connectivity and community. Once you arrive, give yourself a few familiar places to return to—and let the city start recognizing you too.