Hi! I’m Fiona — I’ve moved around a lot over the past few years, and I know how exciting (and scary) it can be to arrive in a new place where you don’t know anyone yet.
Whether you're starting a new job, traveling long-term, or just trying something different, making new friends in a new city can feel a bit overwhelming at first. So I wanted to share a few things that have really helped me — and others — connect more easily, especially when living abroad.
Here are some of my favorite ways to meet people and make friends when you’re new in town:
Language exchanges are such a nice, chill way to meet people.
You don’t even need to speak the local language fluently — just being curious and open is enough. People come to practice, chat, and make new friends, and it’s usually a mix of locals and foreigners.
You can check Meetup, local cafés, or Facebook groups — or even ask in Reddit threads about your city.
Meetups aren’t just for tech people! There are events for hiking, board games, arts & crafts, movie nights, photography walks, etc.
It’s also totally okay to go alone — you’ll probably meet others who came solo too and are just looking for someone to chat with.
Meetup.com, Eventbrite, and even Instagram can help you find what’s happening around you.
There are a few good apps out there to meet new people:
Omeet is free and focused more on genuine friendships and finding people around you who speak the same language or will be in the same place at the same time.
Most cities have a “[City] Expats” or “[City] Foreigners” group on Facebook.
Reddit is also super useful — r/digitalnomad, r/travel, and even specific city subreddits often have meetups, local tips, or just fun convos you can join.
You can even make a post and say “Hey I just moved here — would love to meet people!” People are usually really welcoming.
If you work remotely, coworking spaces are a great way to meet other people in similar situations.
Even if you don’t go every day, many spaces have events, community lunches, or just casual coffee breaks where you can chat with others.
Signing up for a yoga class, a dance course, pottery, or even a cooking workshop is such a good way to meet people with similar interests.
It’s also easier to talk to people when you’re doing something fun or hands-on together.
I know it can feel awkward at first, but going out by yourself is actually one of the best ways to meet people.
Sit at a café with a book, go to a concert, attend a little art market… smile, say hi, ask someone if the seat is taken. You’ll be surprised how often people are open to chat — especially if they’re also new in town.
Making new friends takes a little courage at first, but you’ll get there. Most people are just like you — they’re open to meeting others, they just don’t always know how to start.
Start small, try one or two of these, and don’t pressure yourself to be super social all the time. One good connection is better than a hundred random chats.
And if you ever want to see who else is around, or who’s coming to your city soon, feel free to check out Omeet (https://www.omeet.io)– it was made for this 💛
