Moving to a new city is both exciting and overwhelming. You get the thrill of fresh opportunities—new restaurants, neighborhoods, and experiences—but at the same time, you may feel a sense of isolation because you don’t know anyone yet. The good news is that you don’t have to face this transition alone. So how to make friends in a new city? With the help of modern apps and a few practical strategies, you can start building a social circle faster than you might think.
This guide will walk you through four popular friendship apps—Bloop, Fachat, Tandem, and Bumble BFF—and also show you real-world methods to meet people and turn new acquaintances into lasting friends.
Before diving into the “how,” let’s acknowledge the challenge. When you’re new in town, you don’t have the built-in network of school, family, or long-term colleagues. Everything—from finding a local café to knowing which gym to join—requires effort. On top of that, making new friends as an adult feels different from childhood or college. You need intentionality. That’s where technology and small but consistent habits can help.
Friend-making apps can give you an entry point. Instead of waiting for chance encounters, you can instantly connect with others who are also looking for friends.
Bloop is designed for quick, fun conversations. If you’ve just moved and want to practice small talk without pressure, Bloop can be your starting point. You can meet people who are equally open to new friendships and don’t mind lighthearted chats.
👉 How to use effectively: Try starting with a simple question about local life—“What’s your favorite spot for brunch here?” It’s a natural way to learn about the city while opening up conversation.
If you’re a little shy, video chat apps like Fachat can help you warm up socially. Starting 1v1 chat and talking face-to-face, even through a screen, makes interactions feel more real than text alone.
👉 Pro tip: Treat it like a low-stakes rehearsal. Practice being yourself, showing interest, and asking follow-up questions. That way, when you meet people offline, you’ll feel more relaxed.
Tandem is popular among language learners, but it’s also a great way to connect with people globally or locally. If you’re an expat, Tandem lets you improve the local language while meeting potential friends who want to practice yours.
👉 How to use effectively: Instead of just sticking to text, try voice messages or short calls. They feel more personal and make it easier to transition into real-life meetups if you’re in the same city.
Think of Bumble BFF as the friendship version of a dating app. You can swipe through profiles of people in your area who are also actively looking for new friends. This takes away the awkwardness of guessing whether someone is open to meeting up.
👉 Pro tip: Be honest in your profile. Mention your hobbies—whether it’s hiking, gaming, or cooking. Shared interests give you an easy conversation starter.
Apps are great for introductions, but true friendships deepen in person. Here’s how to transition from chatting to meeting up:
👉 Example: If you met someone on Bloop who also loves food, you could say, “I’ve been wanting to try that new dumpling place near the station. Want to check it out this weekend?”
You don’t need to rely only on apps. The fastest way to feel like a local is to join activities where people naturally gather.
👉 Consistency matters: Showing up regularly helps people remember you, and over time, casual faces turn into familiar friends.
Sometimes friendships don’t start with grand gestures—they begin with small interactions.
👉 Mindset shift: Think of it as planting seeds. Not every chat will lead to a friendship, but the more seeds you plant, the more likely some will grow.
Friendship doesn’t happen overnight. You may meet people who aren’t a great fit, and that’s okay.
Making friends in a new city may feel daunting, but it’s absolutely possible. Start with apps like Bloop, Fachat, Tandem, and Bumble BFF to break the ice. Then, take the next step by joining local communities and practicing small but meaningful connection habits.
The combination of digital tools + real-life effort will not only help you make friends, but also build a sense of belonging in your new city.
The “11 3 6 rule” suggests it takes about 11 different meetups to turn an acquaintance into a friend, 3 weeks to establish comfort, and 6 months to build trust. It reminds us that friendship takes time and consistency.
Always meet in public spaces, let someone know your plans, and use apps with strong privacy features such as reporting and blocking options. Some apps, like Fachat, also allow users to disable screen recording for added safety.
Check Meetup, Eventbrite, Facebook groups, or local community centers. Many cities have clubs for sports, arts, language exchange, and volunteering, making it easier to meet like-minded people.
Introverts may find it easier to start online—apps like Tandem or Bloop allow one-on-one conversations instead of large gatherings. Joining small hobby groups, book clubs, or volunteering can also provide low-pressure ways to meet people.
Most offer free basic features.but some features require a paid subscription.
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