Moving to a New City: Your First Month Plan
Twelve steps for your first month in a new city, so it starts to feel like home.
A new city is a blank page. Fill it one small place at a time.
32 tips that really help
These ideas come from Platonic (Marisa Franco), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Start with the basics
Know where the shops, parks and cafes are. Familiar places make a new city feel safe.
Walk a new route each day this week.
Pick two regular spots
Choose one cafe and one park to visit weekly. You will start seeing the same faces.
Choose your two spots.
Join one weekly activity
A class or club gives you a fixed point in the week and people to talk to.
Sign up for a class in your first ten days.
Say hello to neighbours
Knock or wave. A friendly note with your name opens the door.
Introduce yourself to one neighbour.
Ask for recommendations
Locals love sharing favourites. It starts conversation and gives you tips.
Ask three people for their favourite place.
Use newcomer groups
Many cities have groups for new arrivals. Everyone is looking for friends.
Search for newcomer meet-ups.
Keep contact with old friends
Calls with familiar people keep you steady while you build new ties.
Schedule one weekly call.
Explore on weekends
Visit markets, museums and festivals to learn the culture.
Plan one outing each weekend.
Be patient with homesickness
Feeling low in the first months is normal. Be kind to yourself.
Write down three things you like about your new city.
Review your month
Note who you met and what worked. Adjust your plan.
Write three lines at the end of the month.
Make a first-week checklist
List essentials, such as shops, transport and a doctor. Ticking them off gives you a feeling of progress.
Write your list.
Walk your neighbourhood daily
Daily walks teach you the area and put you near locals. Greet whoever you pass.
Walk for twenty minutes.
Find your cafe and park
Having a cafe and a park of your own makes a place feel like home. Choose both this week.
Pick them.
Sign up for a class
A class gives a weekly anchor and a group of new faces. Choose one that interests you.
Book one.
Join a newcomer group
Newcomer groups are full of people looking for friends. Search online.
Join one.
Introduce yourself to neighbours
A short hello and a smile start a good relationship. Mention you are new.
Say hello to two.
Ask for local tips
People love to recommend. Ask a barista or neighbour.
Ask three.
Visit a local event
Markets and festivals show the local spirit. Go to one.
Mark a date.
Volunteer
Helping gives purpose and company. Find a local cause.
Offer a few hours.
Stay in touch with old friends
Weekly calls keep you grounded. Schedule them.
Plan one.
Make your home welcoming
A comfortable home gives you energy. Add plants or photos.
Do one small thing.
Start a routine
A weekly routine gives structure and meeting points. Plan it.
Write it.
Be patient with homesickness
Feeling low is normal. Be kind to yourself.
Write a gratitude note.
Eat out in different places
Trying local food introduces you to the area. Go with someone if you can.
Try one new place.
Join online local groups
They help you learn about events and people. Read before posting.
Join one.
Learn the local transport
Knowing buses and trains gives freedom. Explore on weekends.
Plan a trip.
Take photos of discoveries
Sharing them with friends back home helps you feel connected. Post a few.
Share one.
Invite someone for coffee
After a few meetings, invite someone for coffee. Initiate.
Send one invite.
Notice small signs of belonging
Being recognised at a shop is a sign. Celebrate it.
Write it.
Set one-month goals
A short goal list gives direction. Write three.
Write them.
Keep a diary
Writing helps process change and records progress. Write a few lines.
Start tonight.
Review after a month
Look at what worked and adjust. Plan month two.
Set a date.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday friendships.
“Hi, I just moved here, any favourite spots?”
“Where do locals go on Saturdays?”
“I am new, so I would love tips.”
“Would you like to show me your favourite cafe?”
“I am free on Thursday evening.”
“Thanks for the welcome.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Find a cafe and a park
Join one weekly activity
Say hello to three neighbours
Attend one local event
Ask for one recommendation
Plan one social outing
Review your first week
Further reading
- Platonic (Marisa Franco)
- Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
- How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “How to Meet New People”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Use Public Events to Meet LocalsNext: Meet People as a Newcomer →
- Everyone Is Hoping Someone Will Say Hello
- Why Making Friends Gets Harder After School
- Drop the "Nobody Likes Me" Story
- It Takes Fifty Hours, and That Is Okay
- You Do Not Need Many Friends, Just Good Ones
- Decide What Kind of Friends You Want
- Expect Awkward, Keep Going
- Choose Places Where You See the Same Faces
- Classes, Clubs and Courses That Work
- Make Your Neighbourhood Your Network
- Meet People Through Volunteering
- Use Your Workplace Without Pressure
- Find Friends in Your Faith or Community
- Make a Weekly Rhythm of Rooms
- Ask Friends to Introduce You
- Say Yes to Every Invitation for a Month
- Be a Plus-One With Purpose
- Turn One Friend Into Five
- Reconnect With Old Friends First
- Meet the Friends of Friends
- Go Where Your Friends Go
- The Café, the Gym and the Queue
- Turn Regulars Into Real Friends
- Dog Parks and Other Natural Meeting Places
- Say Hello Daily to Three People
- Make Friends Through Hobbies
- Walking Groups and Running Clubs
- Use Public Events to Meet Locals
- Moving to a New City: Your First Month Plan
- Meet People as a Newcomer
- Make Friends at University or College
- Make Friends After Retirement
- Make Friends as a New Parent
- Make Friends in Another Country
- The One-New-Person-a-Week Goal
- Track Your Social Attempts Kindly
- Say Yes More, Cancel Less
- Be Patient: Friendship Takes Repetition
- Celebrate Each Small Connection
- Your Meeting-People Plan
