Moving to a new city resets all daily routines, forcing us to move out of our comfort zones. It can be especially difficult if we don’t have any friends. And making new friends in a new city can be challenging even for extroverts.

So how do we go about making friends in a new city? Here are some suggestions.

• Meet up with friends of friends – Follow up with any introduction that is made for you and don’t hesitate to meet people who your current friends know.
   
• Network more – If the one person you know in the city invites you somewhere, go! That will give you a chance to meet others.
   
• Get involved – Join a class/club to do something you enjoy or learn something new. Not only will you add to your skills and life experiences, you are also likely to meet people with similar interests.
   
• Reach out – Don’t be shy to reach out to others, whether those are your colleagues, classmates, or neighbours. Even if they haven’t initiated anything, you can give it a shot. Which, of course, leads to the next point…
   
• Don’t give up – Don’t take rejection personally. In case someone you are trying to befriend is not reciprocating the way you would like, try not to take it to heart. It may not have anything to do with you – maybe they do like you – but they really don’t have the time or energy for a new friend. Don’t let that stop you from reaching out to someone else.
   
• Social Media – This might not need to be said, but meet up with your social media friends (who you might never have met ever before) who live in the city. Be careful, though, until you are sure of your safety with them.
   
• Keep in Touch – Stay connected with your earlier friends no matter how busy you might be settling in the new city. A phone call or text message makes all the difference when one is stressed or feeling low.

Remember, all friendships take time and effort. Meeting someone a couple of times is not going to lead to an immediately-close relationship, so don’t feel disappointed that you don’t have a confidante in the new city just yet. Take your time, keep getting in touch with people you have met whom you like, and meet with them often enough for the friendship to build.

If you have just found yourself in a new city and want more help with making friends, do reach out to our counsellors for more personalised assistance.