How to Make Friends and Build a Social Network During Relocation?

I know that most people mainly worry about the social aspect when thinking about relocation—the feeling of loneliness, the distance from family and friends back home. Honestly, I was also worried about this before the move, but since it was something I was concerned about, I made it my goal to make friends and not isolate myself, as I sometimes tend to do. Gradually, I managed to meet new people who became really good friends. Of course, some friendships didn’t last, but some only grew stronger over time and have become like family to us here.

Social Media

As soon as we moved, I found a moms’ group on Facebook and immediately posted about our relocation with my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, saying I’d love to meet other moms with kids of similar ages. This helped me make a few friends right from the start.
I also found a group for entrepreneurs and digital nomads and checked out which events I could join to meet more people.

Playgrounds and Play Centers

The advantage of moving with children is that they make it easier to meet new friends. Kids are naturally more social and less shy—they approach other kids, which gives parents a chance to talk without awkwardness. Whenever I saw my daughter playing with another child, I tried to talk to the parent (whether it was the mom or dad), and if the conversation flowed, I asked for their number to arrange a playdate.

Educational Frameworks

Some of our best friends today we met through our children’s schools. When my daughter was younger, we got to know other parents through birthday parties or casual encounters during pick-ups. As she got older, she told me which kids she got along with, and I would send a message to the other parent to ask if they wanted to meet up for a playdate after school. Some parents were more open to it, others less so, but gradually we met more and more friends, and these connections strengthened my daughter’s bonds with other kids.

Networking Events and Lectures

Whenever I saw a lecture or networking event that interested me, I attended. It wasn’t always easy to find such events in English, but I managed to find a few, where I met some great friends. I usually came across these events through ads on social media, so I truly believe that social networks are a great tool for finding interesting lectures, meetups, and events.

Prenatal Water Pilates

When I was pregnant, I really wanted to join prenatal classes, just like I did before, which helped me meet other pregnant women. Afterward, I spent maternity leave with them. I found a water Pilates group, where I connected with a few women, and after giving birth, we created a WhatsApp group. We kept adding new moms to the group, and met up often throughout maternity leave.

Local Community

For those who want to connect with the local community, it’s pretty straightforward. There are WhatsApp groups for families in various locations (each city typically has its own). The easiest way is to contact community centers or cultural organizations. They know about all the local groups and often organize meetups for holidays and children’s activities, which helps with getting to know people, especially in the beginning.

Tips

• Yes, it can be a bit awkward to ask another parent for their phone number when you don’t know them well, but I made a decision to step out of my comfort zone and try to make friends for myself and my daughter without being shy. Some became our closest friends, others less so, but at least I tried.
• I wanted to meet people from all over the world, not just from my own country, even though it would have been easier. After all, we moved to a new country for an adventure and experience, and for me, meeting people from different cultures and places around the world is fascinating and enriching. I know not everyone feels this way, and for some, connecting with others from their community is more important, and that’s totally fine too. The key is to ask yourself whether you’re doing it because it’s easier or because you genuinely connect more with people from your home country rather than people from other places.
• Take it easy and don’t stress. Of course, meeting new people is important, but it’s something that takes time, and not everyone you meet will be a perfect match for your personality. So understand that it’s a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight.
• I think the most important thing is to step out of your comfort zone. If you’ve already made the big decision to move to another country—which is the hardest part—then every step outside your comfort zone will connect you with others who made the same leap