How to Make New Friends in a New City

Another one....

Moving to a new city can be an exciting time - you've got a new home, perhaps a new job too, and now there are plenty of things you want to explore. But even in a city with millions, you might feel lonely if you haven't got any friends to share your new experiences with. The solution? Be proactive! Don't sit around your home and wait for people to find you...instead, follow these seven tips for finding good friends in a new city:

1. Get to know your neighbors. If you live in a community which hosts regular meetings or events, make an effort to be involved. Knowing people who live around you is always a help and makes your neighborhood a more social place.

2. Join a club or class relating to a subject or hobby that interests you, e.g., a dance class, hockey team or painting course. This helps you get out and meet people who share similar interests to you - a good starting point for any friendship.

3. Take part in a running club. Most cities organize groups who train together and all levels are welcome. It's one way to stay fit and you'll socialize by chatting as you run, too.

4. If you have a dog, take it out for a walk where other dog-owners in the area go. Popular dog walking areas are always great places to meet other dog-owners - it's hard not to admire each other's pets and swap pet-owning stories.

5. Volunteer to do something helpful. There are always places looking for help like soup kitchens or child-mentoring organizations. You'll benefit your community and are sure to come in contact with lots of people - especially like-minded ones who want to make a difference too.

6. Check your local newspaper for local events - there may be a new cafe opening or a new exhibition at the museum. Just because you haven't made any friends yet, it shouldn't be an excuse to stay indoors. The more you go out, the more likely you are to meet someone new...even if you don't, and at least you've been out and enjoyed yourself.

7. Make use of great websites for meeting people. They help you meet other people in your local area who also want to make friends, share interests, or network for business or social purposes. If you don't find a group you'd like to join, you could even use the site to start one yourself!

Don’t forget to check out our blog.

John Boyd
http://www.MeetingWave.com
http://www.MeetingWave.com/blog

How To Form Strong, Lasting Friendships

I read the below tips in one of the sites, sharing with you all.....

As the saying goes, 'no man is an island'. If you're in a place where a new friendship would be welcomed, you might want to know how to form bonds which are both enjoyable and lasting when you meet new people. Read these effective tips on how to make good friendships that last.

1. Make friends with yourself first
Know yourself well before you allow someone else to know you well too! Ask yourself probing questions such as your values, beliefs, life-goals, what you look for in friendships and what you believe you can offer as a friend. Are you looking for someone who shares your optimism for life? Do you need someone who can challenge you to think differently? Evaluate these important qualities about yourself and
you'll be more aware of the type of friend you should be looking for.

2. Spend more time around people who enjoy the same things you do
Are you interested in sports? A church-goer? An avid book reader? Spend more time around people who like the same things too. This might mean you join a sports team, attend more church events or form a book club, etc. Whatever it is, making the effort will pay off. Many friendships are made and easier to sustain when two people share
something in common.

3. Be an initiator
It's not just enough to be around the right type of people. You could be in the same painting class as your potential soul mate, but if you never take the opportunity to get to know people, you would never find this out. Be someone who initiates conversations with people to find out more about them. After you do, take steps to initiate meetings
such as going for a coffee or to see a theatre show. Don't expect friendships to fall into your lap - be active in helping people to get to know you and in helping yourself to get to know others too.

4. Be patient
Rome wasn't built in a day and the same applies to any good solid friendship. Don't be in a rush to become a BFF (best friend forever!) of the person you met the other week. Instead, allow the relationships you are forming good time to develop at a natural pace. Balance this with giving new friendships the time and attention they need to develop - after your first meeting with a new friend, follow up with a phone call or email and suggestions for another opportunity to meet - by not maintaining a fair amount of contact, you could let new friendships fizzle out.

5. Know how to be a good friend
Be reliable when you arrange to meet someone, considerate of other people's feelings, trustworthy, a good listener and someone who is able to accept a person's good and bad points. In short, be the caliber of friend you'd like to find yourself and you should have no problems with maintaining lasting friendships!

Don’t forget to check out our blog.

John Boyd
http://www.MeetingWave.com
http://www.MeetingWave.com/blog