How To Make Friends in a New City After Graduating

This guide highlights our top recommendations on how to make friends when you move to a new city after graduating. 

Graduating high school or college is a big deal. It's a time full of excitement, big feels and major glow-up energy — so much so that you may even have a brand-new city to take on, whether for work, relationships or just starting fresh.

Invigorating as it is, major shifts in life don’t come without their hurdles, and moving to a new city is no exception. Friendships and social connections offer indispensable support as you adjust to changes, boosting confidence and keeping you plugged in, no matter where you are. Here are some tips to help you meet people and make friends as you settle into your new dig.

Making Friends in a New City: What Can I Expect?

Whether you're heading to a nearby location or jet-setting off to international waters, new city vibes will likely expose you to people from different backgrounds, mindsets, cultures and languages. While this is an opportunity to expand and grow, it may feel overwhelming at times — and that's completely natural. 

For instance, making friends as an adult is already tough — without worrying about lifestyle resets or settling into a new job. If it's your first time moving away, you may miss home, family or your squad. Then there's the question of orientation: finding nearby amenities, navigating public transport and familiarizing yourself with local safety norms. Without someone to chat with, the challenges of moving to a new city can lead to loneliness — or even doubting why you made the decision in the first place. 

Having like-minded people to talk to helps us move with the ebbs and flows. That said, building a social circle in a new place can take time. So, here is how to make friends in a new city after graduating to help you along. 

10 Best Ways To Make Friends in a New City

1. Connect With Like-Minded People Over One-to-One Video Chat

Sometimes, through the chaos of adapting to a new city, all we need is a conversation to lighten the day. One-to-one video chat platforms like Azar provide a quick, hassle-free space to hold that convo. With a few taps, you can connect in real time with a potential friend from anywhere in the world and start talking instantly. 

Making friends online is great when you move to a new city because it keeps you socially connected — even if you're too tired to leave the bubble. If you’re concerned about burdening your usual circle with any struggles you’re facing — we’ve all been there — it’s a great way to relieve stress and gain fresh perspectives from someone outside. What’s more, it can give you the confidence to start making local friends. 

2. Learn a New Skill

Moving to a new city is brimming with fresh and inspiring things to discover: people, ideas, art, music, food, events, you name it! However, these are all external to you. There are plenty of lit discoveries to make about yourself, too. Diving into a new skill will get the ball rolling — and you can make friends while you're at it. 

Don't worry too much about your new hobby's long-term commitment. The key is to experiment and explore with curiosity and stay open to those discovering new passions alongside you. 

3. Find an Apartment With a Good Location

A good location doesn't necessarily mean you're paying the most expensive rent or located in the heart of downtown. For some, it's conveniently close to the office. For others, it might be near local restaurants or bars where you can go out and connect with the locals. Or, perhaps a friendly neighborhood with parks and green spaces gives you the mental — and physical — space to adjust to changes and integrate in your own time. 

Consider which locations suit your lifestyle preferences and allow you to build connections authentically and naturally. 

4. Reach Out to Existing Contacts

Keep the lines of communication open with friends and family back home. While this can ensure we're staying in the loop and reduce feelings of isolation, it also carries a third advantage: Your crew may connect you with people living in, or visiting, your new city. 

Our adult lives are a whirlwind of events and we all make our moves at different times. Keeping your existing networks alive and well introduces the opportunity to meet a local friend, family member or ex-colleague of someone you trust back home. 

5. Take Good Care of Your Mental Health

Our mental health is often the starting line for motivation, curiosity and willingness to vibe with others — all important elements for making new friends. So, take care of your mental health like it was gold. 

Allow yourself space to rest and adjust, tick up some sunshine hours and search for a healthy outlet to let off some steam and relax. That way, you'll be more likely to feel recharged and ready to go as new friendship opportunities arise. 

6. Make New Friends at Work

They say we spend more time with our work fam than our actual fam. Makes sense, then, to get along with them, right? Engage with your colleagues early and often. Get involved with group activities and accept invites to happy hour or work events. Ask someone out for a coffee during lunch break. You don't have to be friends with everyone in the office, but the job will become much more enjoyable with a few work pals by your side. 

7. Attend a Professional or Social Networking Event

Of all the events you could attend, those dedicated to networking are among the best for two reasons. First, you don't have to stress about whether you'll find people to talk to. They're at a networking event; they want to connect as well. Second, professional or social networking events can open up a load of new opportunities for you to explore as you settle into your new city. Skillsets, places to visit, events… You'll find it all in one place. 

Bonus third, many networking events occur monthly or six-monthly, so the more you attend, the more you'll likely see familiar faces. 

8. Start Volunteering

If your weekend schedule feels empty at first, volunteering is a great, free way to give back to your community while making new friendships with like-minded individuals. If you're the indoorsy type, working in a soup kitchen or charity thrift shop has a more chill vibe. If you're outgoing, an animal shelter or refugee resettlement program can connect you with people from all walks of life, keeping you engaged in solid, benevolent main character energy.

9. Join a Club or Hobbies Group

Want to pick up that hobby you've been stalking on social media? Join a hobby group. Want to get out in the nature? Sign up at your local hiking club. Local, organized clubs and groups have strong communities, which makes them great places to find potential friend material.

What's more, investigating a new friend's hobbies (or joining a club together) is an excellent way to deepen your friendship and create more multifaceted, meaningful connections. 

10. Attend Local Events

From circuses and music concerts to farmers markets and comedy nights, exploring events in your new city is a whole mood. If you have a few pals from work or a hobby group, invite them to create shared memories and strengthen the bond. On the other hand, if you're going solo, make a goal to strike up a convo with a couple of people throughout the event. Remember, many close friendships begin with small talk initially, so asking simple questions like “What's your favorite part so far?” can be a starting point to forge more meaningful relationships. 

Tips for Making Friends in a New City

As you tread forth, exploring your new stomping ground and making good friends along the way, keep in mind the following tips to maintain balance and positive vibes: 

• Start small and manageable: Don't try to take on everything at once. Leveraging platforms like Azar is a great way to vent and relieve the stress of moving to a new place and practice your social skills — without the pressure — during your first weeks.
• Make the first move: Don't be shy about striking up a conversation or inviting a potential friend out first. They'll appreciate your confidence. 
• Find ways to help others: If you're feeling stuck, think about how you can focus on giving to others first. Generosity is often met with generosity. 
• Get out and about: Put yourself in new environments and situations. It'll expand your comfort zone in a flash and boost your social (and self) confidence. 
• Remember, it will get easier: There's no standard timeline for making friends in a new city. It could take a few days, a few weeks or a few months. Keep caring for your well-being and putting yourself out there — the right people will naturally gravitate toward you. 

New City, New Friends, New Beginnings

Meaningful relationships are like the glue that holds our lives together — especially as we move through major life resets like moving cities. A fresh start can be thrilling, but the journey feels much smoother when you’ve got someone to share the highs, laugh through the awkward moments and navigate the unknowns.

With Azar, finding connections to relieve stress without burdening your IRL friends is as simple as tapping a finger. Whether you're looking for a quick chat, a new friend or someone who just gets your vibe, make digital connections that fit your pace on Azar.

Start Chatting now!