Taking the solo road? Looking for new friends in a new city? Or simply want to grow your social circle? Traveling or moving to a new place has its challenges, and that includes making new relationships while you’re far away from home.
Luckily, there are tools and applications that make it easier for you to meet new friends online. And no, we’re not talking about dating apps! This list is for people who are keen on making real friends to eventually hang out with, discuss shared interests, do exciting activities together, and have a great time in general. The best thing about them? Most of these apps are free to use by anyone who owns a smart device.
BAND
This mobile community and collaboration app is essentially a messaging app but it’s more dynamic compared to its counterparts. Aside from a robust messaging feature, BAND features thousands of different groups with different interests that are vastly into gaming and fandoms. It’s like MeetUp for geeks.
But whether you belong in this demographic or are into other interests like sports, fashion, science, design, relationships, or anything else in between, this app will make it easy for you to collaborate and stay connected with other members of the group. The app offers a plethora of personalization tools that will allow you to customize its features according to the needs of your group.
MeetUp
If you’re looking for events to join in your local area, MeetUp is a popular social service that helps you do just that. This web-based tool allows you to create “meetups” and invite people. Typically, meetups are formed around interests and there is surely one that will suit you.
Nearify
Nearify is similar to MeetUp but with less emphasis on groups. Once you’ve become a verified member, the mobile app will show you a big list of events near you. In your phone’s settings, make sure to allow the app to detect your current location to populate events instantly.
Wiith
If big groups are too much for you, Wiith is your saving grace. If you’re looking for someone you want to explore a place with, a fellow foodie to critic a nearby restaurant, or a local to help you find the hidden gems in a new town, Wiith allows you to do exactly that.
Vina
With female solo travel getting more popular than ever, Vina fills the gap with its women-focused social network that allows its users to connect with fellow women on the road. Vina was founded on the belief of “all it takes is one friend to change your whole life.” It’s also for women in transition life phases who simply want to grow their social circle.
Connecting with new people is probably the best way to learn new trades, explore new places, learn foreign cultures, and cultivate long lasting friendships. These online tools are the fastest way to make new friends wherever you are in the world.
