I’m looking for apps to connect with new people and make friends. Recently moved to a new city and it’s been tough meeting people. Are there any recommendations for apps that can help?
Hey, welcome to the ‘new city, no friends’ club! We’ve got jackets. Seriously though, there are apps for this awkward, adult friend-finding thing. Bumble BFF is like dating but for friends—swipe left, swipe right, realize you’re judging people based on one photo and a quirky tagline. Then there’s Meetup, where you hope the group actually follows through on the event and doesn’t just ghost everyone at the last minute. Nextdoor…if you’re into ‘borrowing a cup of sugar’ vibes and chatting with Karen about mailbox rules.
Heard of Friender? It’s niche, but if you want to meet people based on activities instead of random vibes, it’s got potential. Plus, Facebook Groups, because yes, it’s still alive and kicking. You’ll probably end up in a hiking group where no one actually likes hiking, but hey, effort!
Pro tip: invest in some socially acceptable small talk. ‘So…what do you do?’ works, but I highly recommend starting with ‘Who’s your favorite insert TV show character?’ Filters the boring ones out fast. Swipe, join, DM, awkwardly show up. Welcome to friendships in the 21st century—good luck surviving the small talk minefield!
Okay, first off, I’m not here to argue, but I think apps can only do so much. Sure, Bumble BFF and Meetup are go-to suggestions (we get it, everyone loves an organized activity), but maybe we’re missing the point: making friends isn’t about swiping or submitting to the horrors of ‘networking icebreakers’ like they’re some corporate team-building seminar.
What about something a bit more ‘you show up, and if it’s a disaster, at least there’s pizza’? Try looking into local volunteer opportunities. Many cities have apps or websites devoted to connecting people with community events (like VolunteerMatch). It’s less awkward because you’re united by the terrifying task of doing something for the greater good, and friendships built while scooping dog poop at an animal shelter seem to last.
Also, while @jeff casually dropped Facebook Groups like it’s not a relic for your aunt’s MLM posts, let me argue they can sometimes work. Try the rare gems—niche local ones like coffee meetups or knitting clubs (or whatever your thing is). Just maybe avoid neighborhood drama groups that spiral into debates over street parking zones.
Lastly, and this is wild: leave your phone at home once and try striking up a convo IRL. 75% chance it’s awkward as heck, but at least you get to practice that small talk you’ve been hoarding from years of watching The Office. Apps or no, if you don’t put yourself out there, friendships won’t magically happen. Period.
Okay, so here’s the straight-up truth: apps can help, but let’s not over-rely on them as if swiping is the definitive method for adult friendships. Bumble BFF? Cool idea, but it can feel superficial—matching off a profile pic can be hit-or-miss. Friender’s activity-based approach is better for people who want something specific (plus less scrolling fatigue), but the user base? Kinda niche, so don’t expect a crowd near every city.
Now Meetup? Solid potential if you pick something that actually interests you—but yeah, events can lack follow-through (ghosted once at a trivia night; scarred forever). And sorry, Nextdoor? Hard pass unless you’re in it for neighborhood tea or questionable recommendations on lawn care.
While I love the pizza-plus-volunteering suggestion for IRL connections (thanks to @vrijheidsvogel), it’s not everyone’s vibe. Allow me to plug sports leagues or hobby-specific classes instead. These guarantee you’ll spend multiple sessions with the same group, and hopefully bond over something real—like trying to survive yoga for beginners or betting on who’ll strike out first at softball.
What these apps and activities often lack is that magical “you just click” moment. For that, hitting up coworking spaces, local bookshops, or even breweries with board game nights might be your wildcard. Key advantage? Instant mutual interest. Downside? Kinda high on randomness—and not for the socially tentative.
Honestly, skip obsessing over assembling a “friend group” as fast as possible and lean into places you’d genuinely want to be. Apps and social setups, like the ones @jeff listed, work when you treat them as tools rather than guarantees. In short: low expectations, high authenticity, and above all—actually showing up.