How to develop a social circle in New York
New York is a city of 8.6 million people, but it is easy to feel lonely, intimated, or lost in a new place, especially one as vibrant as New York. Here are some tips that will help you to create a satisfying social circle.
Meeting people in New York
It may sound obvious, but the best way to expand your social circle is to meet the maximum number of people. Meeting people can happen spontaneously at bars or other gathering places, but joining groups, volunteering, or starting a new hobby is a great way to interact with a wide circle of people.
If you are moving to New York alone, flat-sharing also allows you to make friends, Americans or foreigners, quickly. As soon as you know a few people, make sure to make plans with them and develop some shared experiences. Follow up on encounters, especially if you are strongly connected with someone. When meeting friends of friends, make the effort to talk to people and forge your own connections. If you can do all of this, you will soon expand your social circle. Be brave, go out and meet people, and revel in the diversity of New York.
Community life in New York
Participating in your neighborhood activities can be an excellent way to expand your circle. Belonging to a community is important in the United States. Americans often refer to the “sense of community”, the feeling of belonging to a group. You can be part of local groups by finding a local volunteer network or working at a co-op, community garden, or other initiative.
Don't be hesitant to find people who share similar interests with you. If you like sports, register for a social team or join a club. If you enjoy writing, partake in group writing projects and workshops. Some of these meetings will be listed on sites like Meetup.com, whereas you might find other events and workshops on noticeboards, Facebook, or by chance.
Apps in New York
We live in an era where meeting people does not require us to travel. Although social media platforms, such as Instagram, and dating apps, such as Tinder, have many flaws, they also allow an easy expansion of your social circle.
If you sense a rapport with someone online, a real-life meeting can be the next step for forming genuine friendships. Not very well-known in France, the app Bumble is very popular among New Yorkers who use it as a dating app. Bumble BFF is also very popular to make friends.
Expat community in New York
Surrounding yourself with only expatriates can be counterproductive, but it can also be beneficial to hang out with a few people of similar backgrounds who share your language, culture, and knowledge. It is normal to feel nostalgic occasionally, and you may sometimes be homesick. In such moments, your expat friends will know what you are going through and will be there for you. There are many groups on social media dedicated to expats in New York. Members are welcoming and regularly schedule meet-ups, outings, etc. The Expat.com forum is also a good starting point.
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