You took the plunge and left one city behind and moved to a new place.
That means all kinds of new experiences and adventures.
It also means making new friends, which can be difficult as an adult.
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So how do you meet adult friends when you move to a new place?
Experts say it doesnt need to be complicated or expensive to make friends as an adult.
Why Is It Harder to Make Friends as We Get Older?
As we get older, priorities change and we have more responsibilities which makes casual interactions less likely.
Work-from-home situations where we meet and see fewer people in person add more challenges.
And then there are expectations.
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Breaking into established friend groups is difficult and takes time.
I think there is a fear of rejection that is central to so many things.
Around half the time, people become friends after spending about 80 to 100 hours together.
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Good friendships take much longer.
But time is not a guarantee for making real friends, Hall wrote.
The work to make new ones needs to begin before you move.
The friendship pros have some advice that could lead to at least one new friendship in your new city.
Tell Everyone You Know You Are Moving
You dont know everyone your current friends know.
Your best friends cousin just might live where youre moving.
Tap into the web link of mutual friends.
Cast a wide net and dont just rely on your current close friends to help you make new connections.
Renew Connections
Dont be afraid to renew connections with people you might have lost touch with.
They might live where youre moving.
Prepare Yourself For Adventure
Moving to a new place is a chance to begin a new adventure.
Keep yourself open to trying new things and know you are not alone in your quest for friends.
If someone invites you to do something, think twice about saying no.
It doesnt just happen automatically in friendships.
You do have to try.
Talk to People at the Farmers Market
This tip is simple.
Chat up the shared ride driver.
Talk to the person buying produce next to you at the farmers market.
Make conversation with the barista at your new favorite coffee place or people in the checkout line.
Most of the time, in friendship dating, it takes some patience.
It takes some curiosity.
It takes perseverance, Vellos said.
give a shot to get to know them.
Of course, this isnt as easy if you are working remotely.
If you are spending your day in Zoom meetings, find out if other coworkers are in your city.
Join groups at work for projects.
Use that search bar to your advantage.
I feel it decreases any sense of fear or rejection, Jackson said.
They might even introduce you to the group.
You might already be part of a group that has a chapter in your new city.
Check to see if your college or university has an alumni group or your sorority or fraternity.
Check out the local library for information on free computer classes there or on other topics.
Maybe youve always wanted to master a second language or study art or photography.
Take a guitar or piano class.
Plant some things in a community garden.
Youll meet people with a similar interest in expanding their horizons and maybe form meaningful friendships.
Take a City Bus Tour
Get involved in your new place.
Visit libraries, museums, zoos and parks.
Strike up a conversation with someone who is admiring the same painting you are.
Take a bus tour of your new city.
Or just ride the city bus.
Attend sporting or cultural events.
Cheering for a team can be a bonding experience.
It gives you a chance to become a regular somewhere and also helps to breed familiarity.
Its easier to strike up a conversation with a person you see regularly.
Familiar faces are potential friends.
Pet sitters and pet stores know where pet people tend to go.
Have a housewarming party for yourself.
That way, there is always a different group of people to mix and mingle with.
Friendships are for a reason, season, or lifetime.
There are people we want to do things with, lets call them casual friends.
Theyre similar to convenience friends who you do things with just because theyre in your location.
Then there are the confidants.
These are the people you form a deeper bond with and turn to when you need them.
With time, those types of friends can turn into really good friends.
Jackson said she has different people in her life who help define her sense of self.
Each has a purpose and might not extend outside of its context.
Thats one of the beautiful things about friendship is it can be whatever you want.
I also think that speaks to our need for multiple friends, she said.
Were different versions of ourselves with different people.
Vellos said friendship circles cycle about every seven years.
This (person) doesnt have to be your one friend for the rest of your life.
It could be your friend for a year and then youll make some new friends.
People are constantly moving in and out of rings of closeness.
Give yourself time to settle in and meet friends.
A little effort will make them more than fair weather friends.
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