Making Friends in a New City

I need some advice about moving to a new city. I am moving on my own. What is the best way to make new friends?”
Adam Best, Bangor

Making Friends in a New City
Making the Big Move to the big city can make you feel like a very small fish out of a very large expanse of water. However, with the right attitude and a little effort, you can meet new people and start forging some lasting bonds of friendship.

If you are lucky enough to have friends or acquaintances that have moved to your area, get in contact and introduce yourself to their friends. Make an effort to get to know people at work, they could end up being a major part of your social life. Meet people by joining evening classes or your local gym. You will find people with similar interests and avoid becoming a recluse. Before you know it, you’re diary will fill up quicker than you can say ‘homesick’. Also Look on your local council’s website for lists of evening classes available.

Finding a Good Night Out in a New City
There’s nothing like a good night out to make you feel settled. Whether you’ve got a mate up for the weekend or you want to impress a new love interest, knowing your stuff when it comes to going out is essential for maximum acclimatisation. Fortunately, there are a wealth or resources for you to draw from.

Firstly, there’s good old word of mouth, keep your ear to the ground at work.

Secondly, local magazines such as Time Out in London are an excellent source of information and sometimes have vouchers for free-entry, 2 for 1 deals or money off in certain venues.

Thirdly, there are abundant websites catering for the needs of the party-goer in any major city in the UK. Whether you want to know where the best curry can be found, when the gigs are, what’s on at the cinema or where your favourite shops are, you’ll find what you’re looking for on the web.

The myvillage.com people have got city guides down to a serious art. Check out the site for your city:
Aberdeen www.myvillage.com/aberdeen
Belfast www.belfast.co.uk
Birmingham www.mybrum.co.uk
Brighton www.myvillage.com/brighton
Bristol www.myvillage.com/bristol
Cardiff www.mycardiff.net
Edinburgh www.myedinburgh.net
Glasgow www.myglasgow.org
Leeds www.myleeds.net
Liverpool www.myliverpool.org
London www.mycityoflondon.co.uk
Manchester www.mymanchester.org
Newcastle www.mynewcastle.net
Norwich www.myvillage.com/norwich
Nottingham www.myvillage.com/nottingham
Oxford www.myoxford.net
Plymouth www.myvillage.com/plymouth
Sheffield www.mysheffield.net
Southampton www.myvillage.com/southampton