GoFindFriends
How to Make Friends in Austin
Making new friends isn't always easy. Here's your guide on how to make friends, find friends, and meet new people in Austin.
Making friends in Austin isn’t easy. In a metro area of 2 million people, it can be surprisingly difficult to find people you really connect with.
Psychologists say that the best way to make friends is to have consistent interaction over time with people who share your interests. This was easy while growing up when we had plenty of classmates to chat with during school and activities to bond over after school. But as an adult, these interactions are no longer baked into our daily lives. No matter if you live in downtown Austin or Round Rock, it still can be difficult to meet new people.
So the key to making friends as an adult in Austin is to actively pursue them. To put yourself in places with people who share your interests and to do this consistently.
Join a Meetup Group
Meetup.com is a social networking site focused on bringing people together around shared interests. There are numerous interest groups in Austin, such as groups for happy hours, playing sports, jogging, hiking, wine tasting, etc. Pick out a few of these that spark your interest and attend a few of their events. Meetups are usually monthly and are a great way to meet a lot of new people quickly.
Take a Class
If you want a more structured environment to meet new people, take a class or attend workshops on a topic you find interesting. You’ll have regular interaction with your classmates and may even have group projects. In any case, you’ll have a group of people who share your interests that you see on a regular basis. Asking someone to study with you or attend a related workshop is a good way to break the ice.
Join a Social Sport League
If you’ve ever tried to chat with someone new over coffee, you know it can be difficult to keep conversation flowing when you are just sitting around. Social sport leagues are a great way to get to know other people while doing an activity you both enjoy. There are leagues for many sports (and not coincidentally, many sports you played as a kid) like basketball, volleyball, bowling, kickball, and dodgeball. Many leagues also have drinks after the game at a local bar.
Volunteer at a Charity
Volunteering is a great way to not only meet people but also to help others while doing it. You’ll have a ready-made group of compassionate people who also care about your cause. Worst case, you help those in need. Best case, you also find some new friends along the way.
Join an Online Community
There are plenty of online dating sites, but very few that focus on online friending. It’s a good way to find other people who you know are specifically looking for new friends. Striking up conversations can be difficult though, which is why GoFindFriends focuses more on activities. So reach out to a few people and see if they’re up for doing something fun together.
Many adults believe in the myth that new friendships will just happen organically like when they were a kid. This rarely happens, especially when you’ve moved to a new city like Los Angeles and don’t know many people. You need to put in the effort to be in places where you are meeting people with similar interests and seeing them consistently.
“If you’re passive about making friends, you won’t make any.”
And once you’re in those environments, you’ll want to take the initiative to say “Hi!” Research has shown that people needlessly fear rejection from others when trying to make new friends. It turns out that most people aren’t judging you and are often dealing with their own insecurities. They are worried about the impression they are making as much as you are. So take the initiative and introduce yourself. You’ll be surprised how receptive people are when you’re the one who makes the first move.