14 Tips For Moving to a New City Where You Don't Know Anyone

Just because you've moved somewhere new, it doesn't mean you shouldn't hold your old relationships close. In fact, keeping in touch with your friends back home is a great way to ensure you're not lonely in your new city. Make regular dates to chat with your best friends and family, whether it's on the phone or via video.

It can be hard to make friends in a new city, but if you have your face in your phone at all times, it'll be near impossible. If you're out getting a coffee at your neighborhood cafe or just walking around doing some exploring, try not to rely on your phone too much, and keep yourself open to face-to-face interactions.

Whether you're moving to a new city for work or for school, try to form relationships with your coworkers or classmates. Strike up a conversation in the lunchroom, or invite your desk neighbor out for a drink after work instead of heading home for another night spent binging your favorite Netflix shows for the millionth time. (Of course, there's no shame in that every once in a while!)

If you're looking for people with similar interests, consider taking up a new hobby or taking a class in something you've always wanted to learn or improve on. Embroidery, photography, knitting, cooking, writing — these are all great hobbies that you can probably find a class in where you can meet like-minded people in a social environment and learn a new skill along the way.

If sports are your thing, find out whether your new city offers any recreational leagues or drop-ins for your favorite sports. Check out a yoga class, play some rec soccer on the weekend, and you'll soon start to make friends with the people you're seeing once or twice a week.

While you may have only considered apps for your dating life, there are lots of online meetup groups and apps that are great for meeting new people and making new friends. Check out which ones are available in your new city, and find a meetup that sounds interesting to you.

Even if you don't know anyone in your new city, your friends might! Ask around, like on social media, and see if your friends know anyone you could meet up with when you get to your new home. You'll already have a friend in common, so it might be an easier way to meet people if you're intimidated by meeting people on your own.

At the end of a long day at work, school, or just spent exploring, it's important to have a home to come back to. Do whatever you can to make your apartment or house feel like your home, like filling it with photos of your friends and family or decorating it just the way you like it.

If you've moved to a new city all by yourself, congratulations — you've already basically accomplished getting out of your comfort zone! Continuing to do so will open you up to more opportunities to make the most of your new city and meet new people. Say yes to that invitation to join your coworkers for drinks, or go have a meal in a restaurant by yourself. Whatever will help you grow and make the most of your new life, say yes!

One of the most important things to keep in mind about moving to a new city alone is that it might take time — and that's totally OK. Make the effort to meet people, while also giving yourself the alone time you need, but don't be hard on yourself. You might not meet your new best friend on your first day in your new city, but you'll eventually find your people.