Making Friends in a New City After Graduation

1. Strike up conversations with colleagues—many friendships are born at work.
2. Let friends introduce you to their circles to grow your social web.
3. Enroll in a class or join a club to meet like-minded individuals.
4. Try friendship apps or use social media to connect with others nearby.
5. Volunteer for something you're passionate about—shared values can spark strong bonds.

• "Friends and family might already know individuals who align with your values," says Fermin. "Go to events, parties, or hangouts where they can introduce you—you might click with someone unexpected."
• No contacts in your new city? Reach out to folks back home and see if they know anyone nearby you could meet.

• Look out for club announcements on social media or around town—cafés and libraries are great spots to check.
• Shops related to your interest, like bookstores, often host themed clubs. Ask about upcoming events at your local favorite.

• If you're nervous about rejection, remember—if it doesn't go well, chances are you won’t see them again anyway.

Editor’s tip: "One of the easiest icebreakers with a stranger is their dog. Compliment a cute pup, offer a few pets, and chat with the owner—it’s a natural conversation starter. And if you’ve got a dog yourself, the dog park becomes the perfect social spot!"

• As Fermin explains, the digital world offers many ways to connect: "There are countless platforms catering to niche interests. From Meetup to hobby forums and Facebook groups, there’s no shortage of spaces to find like-minded people."
• Engage with local pages, businesses, or news outlets on social media. Commenting and interacting can help grow your community one post at a time.

Editor’s tip: "If you're beginning a new job, say yes to post-work hangouts. When I graduated and moved, I worked late shifts at a theater, and spending time with coworkers outside of work helped us bond. Almost a decade later, we still plan an annual trip together!"

• Fermin notes, "Surrounding yourself with people who share your values makes it easier to build genuine connections."
• Volunteering naturally brings you into contact with people who care about the same things. Chat while you work—you might end up with a new friend to grab coffee with after your shift.

• Think about something you’ve always wanted to explore but never had time for—maybe you were too busy studying your major. Now’s your chance to try painting, kung fu, or anything that sparks your curiosity.
• Pick a class with interaction, like acting or a group fitness course, where teamwork is part of the experience.
• Shared interests are friendship fuel—even if you don’t make a new best friend immediately, at least you’re doing something meaningful and enjoyable.

• Check if your company has a recreational team, like softball or soccer. If not, pitch the idea to coworkers—chances are, others might be just as eager to get a team started!

• Feeling a bit lonely early on is normal as you settle into your surroundings. Trust the process—it’ll come together, so don’t lose heart.

• Treat yourself to solo adventures around the city—explore new cafés, neighborhoods, and hidden gems. Make the city yours.
• Find places you love: that cozy bookstore, the bar with great playlists, or a favorite park bench. Later, invite new friends to experience them with you.

• Fight the impulse to judge a potential friend after one meetup—it’s okay not to know right away if there’s a real connection.
• While sometimes you can tell someone’s not your vibe immediately, more often it takes a few interactions. Give people a fair chance to show who they are.

• Without a shared classroom or dorm, friendships won’t just happen. Plan regular hangouts and stay in contact to keep the connection alive.
• This is true for long-distance friendships too—keep the bond strong by checking in weekly or monthly with a call or message.

• Chances are, the people you’re meeting feel just as awkward and are also hoping to find new friends. Sometimes, all it takes is someone like you to make the first move.

• To quote Bill Murray in What About Bob?: “I treat people as if they were telephones. If I meet somebody I think doesn't like me, I say to myself, ‘Bob, this one is temporarily out of order.’ Don't break the connection, just hang up and try again!”

• Try something easygoing like, “What are you grabbing for lunch?” or “This is my first time here—got any recommendations?”
• Simple questions like these signal that you’re friendly and curious, which can help the other person open up.

• Instead of “Good day so far?” say, “What’s been the highlight of your day?” or “What’s keeping you busy today?”
• Replace “Do you enjoy your work?” with “What drew you to your job?” or “What’s the most exciting part of what you do?”
• Fermin adds, “Ask about their beliefs, passions, and stories. That’s how you discover if your values align and move from small talk to real connection.”

• “That sweater is such an amazing color—mind if I ask where you found it?”
• “Your talk earlier really grabbed my attention. I’d love to hear how you developed your ideas.”

• “Is that an Oingo Boingo shirt? Love that band! Got a favorite track?”
• “Sushi for lunch? Nice choice! I’m still learning the best spots in town—where’d you get that from?”
• “Wait, are you reading Jane Eyre? That book is a classic! Is this your first read or a revisit?”

• “I’ve really enjoyed talking, but I need to get back to work—see you around!”
• “Time for me to grab that coffee, but great chatting with you!”
• “This was fun, but I’ve got a quick call to make. Catch you later!”
• If you'd like to stay in touch, go ahead and ask for their contact info or suggest grabbing coffee sometime. If they decline, don’t take it personally—timing and circumstances play a big part.

• Her tip: “Be purposeful about putting yourself out there. I’d go to art shows, book readings—any event that caught my eye—and make it my mission to talk to just one new person. Sometimes it led nowhere, but sometimes we’d keep in touch or run into each other again, and friendships naturally followed.”