Warning: This list may cause uneasiness, clenched fists, and tightening of jaws or chest…I’m talking to you introverts.
Making friends in a new community will require stepping out of one’s comfort zone to establish a circle of friends. This is vital to the success of a new move. Not to sound like a physical trainer, believe me, I’m not, but short-term discomfort will result in long-term gains. The list below should produce situations where you either meet new people, build stronger relationships with people you already know, or both.
- No homebodies (at least until you establish a friend group)
- It’s so easy to spend your after-work hours on the couch watching Netflix and looking at your phone. I’ve been guilty of this… It’s hard to make friends at your house. Get off the couch and do tips 2-7.
- Take a step outside your box
- Introduce yourself to neighbors. I am guilty again of not doing this a time or two in my younger years, but the times I said hi and introduced myself resulted in friendships and a sense of home. Pro tip: I find the best time to do this is when a neighbor is already outside. If they’re gardening or doing busy work, keep it short and sweet so they can get back to what they’re doing.
- Get drinks or dinner after work with coworkers. Often, when one moves to a new town, it’s due to a job opportunity. More likely than not, the first people you’ll meet are coworkers. Try to get a group together on a weekday after hours to grab a bite or a quick drink. These types of gatherings have a better success rate of making deeper friendships.
- Join a group – better chance of meeting likeminded people
- Clubs
- Church
- Young Professionals…ahem
- Gyms
- Make a list of hobbies, pick one, and dive in
- Exercise – Running, biking, or hiking
- Sports – Golf, tennis, volleyball, or softball
- Woodworking, welding, ceramics, 3-D printing, or quilting
- Donate your time with volunteering
- Triple win here. Do something for the greater good, meet new people, and it’s a nice thing to have on your résumé.
- Get a dog
- Dog parks are an excellent place for the pup to burn off some energy while the owners socialize with one another.
- Take a class
- Distinctively Dubuque – a class for people new to the Dubuque area
- Local colleges
- Luncheons
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