Many expats in Berlin have claimed it has been hard to meet new people and expand their social circle during their first months in Berlin, especially if they tried to socialize with German people. Of course, this is not unusual for big cities where people have established their social circles and get on with their lives without paying too much attention to newcomers or showing eagerness to grow their social circle.
Even though one shouldn't expect to walk into a bar and be invited to a table to join a group of strangers, there are many opportunities to build a social circle, which will make life in Berlin more fulfilling.
Staying active in Berlin
Germans are active people who like turning their leisure time into quality time with family and friends. Hence, there are so many leisure activities in Berlin to choose from that will also help you come together with other people under a common goal — whether it is winning an amateur football game, setting up a picnic at the park, or learning more about the city by taking part in a city tour. If you want more structure in your free time, you can sign up for a gym or club membership. Otherwise, you can be creative and organize events based on a specific interest (e.g., ceramic art, bar crawling, canoeing, dancing, nature hikes, cooking, language learning, trivia night, table tennis), which you can post on Expat.com's page Events in Berlin.
Good to know:
You'd be more likely to be joined in your leisure time by expats rather than Berliners, but this shouldn't stop you from growing your social circle and making efforts to integrate yourself into the local culture.
Be a host in Berlin
Once you make friends in Berlin or start to hang out with your colleagues, you should initiate more contact with them rather than relying on receiving invitations from others. Your suggestions may include activities on neutral ground (e.g., drinks at the bar close to the office), dinner or brunch at a restaurant you have wanted to go to for a while, or an invitation to an event (e.g., a concert). Although hosting at your place requires more effort and some preparation, it is an excellent way to create familiarity and offer the space for meaningful interactions on a more personal level. So, if you have the space and don't mind putting together some easy snacks and filling the fridge with beverages, you can invite some of your new acquaintances over to your home.
Good to know:
Taking the initiative is good. However, be mindful not to overdo it with invitations and suggestions, as people may get overwhelmed and start turning your invitations down.
Explore Berlin
In Expat.com's Leisure in Berlin guide, you will come across many suggestions that will help you explore the city and learn how to navigate it. Doing this on your own may lead to spontaneous interactions and potential friendships with other independent explorers. Alternatively, you can invite colleagues and other acquaintances to join you on your expedition. Once you begin to feel comfortable in your surroundings and environment, and you are able to pinpoint several corners of Berlin that you love, meeting new people will begin to occur naturally — patience and high spirits are a prerequisite!
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