How to develop a social network in Glasgow
Moving to a new city is always easier if you meet people who can help you settle in and eventually feel at home. In fact, developing friendships may be the most important part of the expatriation process. Finding people who share your hobbies, interests, or profession is relatively easy in Glasgow due to numerous hobby clubs, sporting opportunities, and regular events.
Building your social network in Glasgow
One of the simplest ways to meet new people is to go to a pub. You will find Glaswegians are often keen to talk to those new to the city and give them suggestions about how they could spend their time here. If you want to meet locals, you'll find them in the Park Bar enjoying traditional Scottish music. Inn Deep attracts a younger and more international crowd, with regular spoken word and poetry nights.
However, you may want to find people with whom you have more in common. In this case, find out if there are any clubs or societies that conform to your interests. For example, there are many book clubs in Glasgow with different themes, where you're sure to find booklovers you vibe with. There are also gaming cafés, such as West End Games, where you can meet and play with fellow board game enthusiasts. If you are more of an active person, sports classes at the many gyms in Glasgow are an excellent opportunity to build relationships with people.
Meeting other expats in Glasgow
If you think meeting fellow expats would help you on your expatriation journey, the group, Glasgow Expats, has amassed over 2,000 members since 2013. They meet for weekly drinks and conversation. Fortunately, not all 2,000 members are active ' 20 to 30 people attend each event. You may even meet someone from the same area as you, which will give you a great reminder of home, and someone who may share your perspective on Glasgow.
It is also worth noting that Glasgow has many communities of people from different backgrounds and religious convictions. If you are looking to form a network with local Buddhists, for example, the Glasgow Buddhist Centre hosts regular events. There are also community activist groups in Glasgow as well as opportunities to get involved with political organisations. If you have the time, becoming part of a volunteer organisation can also help build your social network. There are numerous 'charity shops' in Glasgow, simply go inside and ask about joining the team.
Where to meet new friends in Glasgow
If you are planning on studying at one of Glasgow's universities, there will be plenty of student societies for you to join. For example, the University of Glasgow has everything from martial arts to improvised comedy. If you are not a student, some university societies are open to non-student members, so it may be worth investigating a university-affiliated group you think you would enjoy being a part of.
The website, Meetup, has a large collection of groups and activities in Glasgow. Its built-in search engine allows you to find a group with your interest if there is one listed on the site. And there are so many, and you will probably find something. For example, the search term 'art' gives over 40 results.
When meeting people for the first time, you may want to learn a bit about the local etiquette. Etiquette may be especially important if you are engaging in professional networking. Whatever your networking goals, Glasgow is one of the most populous cities in the UK, meaning you are bound to find kind of people you are looking for.
