Easy Ways to Make Friends in Your New Neighborhood

Moving means you will be getting to know new neighbors. Meeting the people that live around you isn’t just to spark new friendships; it also helps to have a friend nearby in case of an emergency. While you may want to introduce yourself to your neighbors as soon as you move in, there isn’t always a chance. With so much time spent unpacking and settling in, meeting your neighbors may be the last thing on your list. However, there are some things you can do to casually meet those who live around after you’ve settled into your new home.

We've put together a few easy, non-awkward ways to meet your neighbors and make new friends after moving.

Spend Time Outside Your Home

A great way to get to know your neighbors is by spending time in your front yard. You can take at least half-hour in the evening reading a book or a magazine, enjoying a glass of wine, or maybe working on your garden. Spending some time outdoors is a great way to naturally start conversations with those walking by, or with other neighbors spending time at their porch. You can strike conversations and introduce yourself to those you see walk by.

Leave Your Neighbors a Thoughtful Note or Small Gift

Once you've settled in, an easy way to introduce yourself to your neighbors is by bringing them a note or small gift. You can write cards for your new neighbors, saying your name, that you're new to the neighborhood, and even include your phone number in case they need to get in touch with you for any reason. You can leave a small homemade or store-bought gift as well, such as cookies, flowers, or candy. You can ring the doorbell to personally deliver the card or gift, or you can simply leave it on their doorstep. Either way, they'll know you've moved in and that you'd be happy to know them.

Host a Cocktail Party or a Wine Tasting

One of the most popular ways to meet neighbors is by hosting a small get-together. A great thing to do is ask neighbors to bring their wineglass or beer glass to the party. Hosting a party in the evening and offering wine, beer, sodas, along with some snacks is a great way to mingle with neighbors. If you don’t want to host a gathering at your home, hosting a picnic at a nearby park is also a great idea that requires little effort. Getting to know your neighbors doesn’t always require an elaborate get-together or a formal introduction. Sometimes all you have to do is prepare a delicious pastry and share it with a neighbor. This is the perfect gesture to introduce yourself.

Get Involved in the Community

Another great way to get to know your neighbors is by getting involved in the community. If you have children, partaking in parent conferences and school volunteering is a great way to meet other parents that live around you. You can also join other groups like your community hiking club, a board game meet-up, or a local sports team. Although you might not get to know your immediate neighbors, it is a fun way to meet other people in your community.

Use Social Media

About half of the world’s population uses social media to stay connected with friends and family, while staying up-to-date on the latest news from across the globe. Although there is a chance that you may not be using social media on a daily basis, you might want to start doing so from this day forward.

The reason being is this: there are many Facebook groups (or pages) that are dedicated to helping people find new friends in their area. These digital meetups will not only let you interact with locals, but many have events where you can go out, explore the town and have a wonderful time! Of course, it’s important to take precautions and make sure that the online group is reputable and that you let your friends/family know where you’ll be heading, just to play it safe.

Sign-up for the Gym

Another great way to make some new, local friends is the join a gym, specifically enrolling in an exercise class! If you’ve taken one of these fun, incredible sessions, then you’ll know that it not only helps you stay active, but you’ll be interacting with your classmates on a daily basis. In fact, if you decide to participate in a class such as Zumba, not only will you have an absolute blast dancing, but you’ll also be with other fun individuals who will make for the best of friends!

Attend Local Events

In your old neighborhood, how often did you attend local events? Whether that entailed a street fair or a screening of your favorite film at the park, you should continue to keep attending local events in your new area! When you frequent local events, not only will you be more “in the know” about community news, but you’ll also have the chance to meet more locals, in addition to local businesses who may be sponsoring the event!

Join a Team

As a kid, did you love to play sports? Well, now is the perfect time to pick that hobby back up and join a team! You’d be pleasantly surprised by how many adult leagues and teams there are in cities all across the nation. From bowling to flag football, you’ll be able to find other locals who are not only there to have a fun time, but to meet people as well! The best part? Many local leagues and teams have little to no cost at all to join, which is perfect if you’re not looking to break the bank!

Pick up a Part-time Job

If you’re moving to a new city or town, chances are that you’re relocating for a new full-time job. However, if you happen to find yourself looking to stay busy on the weekend, then picking up a part-time job at a local business will be the best way to meet locals! Whether it’s at a convenience store or the movie theater in town, this will be the perfect equation to interacting with long-time residents. You never know, you could meet your new best friend in the process!

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