January 26, 2018 Posted in Coping with Relocation
Michael Vaughan

Moving through the Bay Area, Michael works as a freelance writer in the moving and transportation industry.

How to Make Friends in a New State After Moving?

Have you recently moved to a different state and your initial enthusiasm is slowly fading away? You might be worried about your social life which is, speaking the truth, not what it was in your previous place. If you’re wondering how to make friends in a new state or city, here are some useful tips that will help you overcome anxiety and loneliness and expand your social circle. 

Friends sitting on the floor with boxes overlay
With some useful tips you'll meet new people in no time

How to Make Friends in a New State – General Tips

Adjusting to a new environment can be difficult, especially if you’re relocating to a new city alone. First of all, you need to be confident and open-minded before you test some of these moving tips. If you’re not already relocating for a job, try to find a job before moving to another state it will help you meet new folks and reduce the costs of moving. Outside the workplace and home, there are a number of situations for finding a friend you probably never thought of.

Besides local events and walking in the park or by the sea, the new big city will offer you different opportunities to make your social life more fulfilling, even if you’re relocating to the suburbs. If you’re moving to a suburban area, remember to book auto shipping services and transport your car across the county. Having your four-wheeler with you will help you get around and meet new folks. Ask yourself what your interests are, what hobbies do you prefer, and what are the things that make you calm and satisfied. And remember to give yourself some time to adjust.

Move With Confidence Get Free Quote

Check Out Local Events

You would be surprised by the number of events that exist in your current place. Most cities have adult leagues you can sign up for. Joining an amateur sports team will give you a perfect way to meet friends. Additionally, when you are done unpacking after the move you can visit local breweries, and be a part of a unique and intimate atmosphere in a beer-friendly community can be a shortcut to your new friendships. 

Maybe you’re a fan of farmers’ markets full of local products? Then you should know that those places are ideal for casual chats and exchange of opinions. Be persistent in your research and you’ll see that local events are a real breeding ground when it comes to making new friends.

visit local events to meet new friends after moving cross country overlay
Go out check events and meet a few new folks

Join a Favorite Club or a Group

Do you prefer communities based on shared interests? Then groups and clubs are things to consider when relocating to a new state – those are the perfect places to find more than one person for conversation. The best thing is that you can join them no matter if you move during the holidays or at any other time. 

Join Local Facebook Group to Meet People

The social media community is an excellent solution for those that are just not so comfortable hanging around strange people. You can easily find like-minded persons by joining some of the many groups that exist on Facebook. You’ll have a chance to get to know similar souls and after a few days of chatting, you can organize a meeting in person. 

Join a Book Club or a Wine Club

Have you ever thought of meeting a person that shares one of your biggest passions – reading books? When it’s time to move, just look for book clubs in the city and join up. Very soon, you will spend time discussing your favorite books with strangers who may become good companions along the way. It is said that people who enjoy a nice glass of wine are usually cordial and like spontaneous conversations. That means that you don’t have to put an extra effort into finding issues to talk about. Wine is already a great topic, isn’t it?

Meet People at a Local Music, Food or Art Festival

If you and your partner are moving in together, you can meet new people as a couple. Visit festivals because they are usually centered around having fun, and often include group activities like games, competitions, and demonstrations. Know that music, food, and art are great topics if you want to start a conversation and spend some quality time.

concerts are great for meeting new people after cross country moving overlay
Concerts are ideal spots for meeting new folks

Take Photography, Art or Foreign Language Classes 

Are there any classes you always wanted to take but never had the time? Besides the opportunity to improve your skills and learn something different, these courses are ideal settings for meeting interesting people and making friends.

Take Part in Physical Activities

Working out is an excellent way to improve your mood, especially if you are in a strange and unfamiliar surroundings. Besides the obvious health benefits, your social life can also profit from engaging in physical activities. Maybe if you decide to move to one of five New York boroughs you will embrace the fact that residents here are more active than average Americas. 

Brooklyn bridge is a must-see spot after moving cross country to this beautiful city overlay
Running can be a bonding activity

Join a Dance Class

The benefits of dance classes are multiple. Different dancing styles and movements will improve your coordination and shape your body. But when it’s about friendships, your dancing sessions will boost your social life by offering a chance to establish close connections. Consider practicing outside the classroom in clubs or bars, for example.

Make Friends While Riding a Bicycle 

One of the most popular ways of transport is, for sure, riding a bicycle. This activity reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke. Also, it can reduce expenses. In case you relocated to a bicycle-friendly city, there is an excellent possibility for you to become a member of a two-wheeled society. Therefore, make sure you put packing a bicycle on your moving-out list.

Join a Gym or a Yoga Studio

This is another excellent method for finding a soulmate. Similar interests connect people with similar character. A healthy lifestyle and a specific way of life can be crucial for your new social activities.

Take Your Dog for a Walk

If you are moving with a dog, know that pet owners don’t need a particular reason for starting a conversation. While taking your dog for a walk, you can approach other dog owners and just start casually chatting. Asking for the dog’s name is always a good conversation starter. There’s a decent chance you and your dog will get your walking partners for the next day. And the day after that, surely.

walking with a dog is a great activity after long distance moving overlay
pet owners can easily meet other pet owners

The Relocation Will Be Worth the Trouble

No matter where you choose to move, relocation can cause anxiety, especially when it comes to forming new friendships and trying to avoid common moving mistakes. Many have a hard time trying to avoid getting relocation depression or cope with stress when moving. This situation is perfectly normal and it’s quite all right if you need more time or more self-confidence. But moving to another city or state can also bring many benefits and happy moments especially if you are relocating for a relationship.

When checking the safety of your future neighborhood and changing the address, the only thing you need to overcome is an unfamiliar environment and unknown people. Don’t rush with moving into a smaller home and consider finding a roommate. That is the advantage of moving alone –  you don’t actually have to live alone. As a human being, your natural desire is to relate to other persons and be close to them by sharing joy and love. Figure your main reasons to move, donate unwanted items, find free boxes and other packing materials for moving, pick the best time of the year to move, and dive into a new adventure.

QUICK MOVING ESTIMATE

    Download as PDF Moving Checklist
    Get a Free Estimate 877-888-0708