Top 4 Ways to Get out of the House and Make New Friends

You can probably predict one of the items on this list, but this week’s we’re looking at apps, games, and other tools that can shake up your routine, get you out of the house, and help you explore your community—or beyond.

1. Meetup


If you’re not familiar, Meetup is a site where people can create or join groups based around interests, hobbies, events, and other activities. You can create your own to see who in your area shares the same interests, or you can search for a group that already exists, join, and meet up with the people in the group at their next scheduled activity. Everything from local softball leagues to cooking groups to movie watching clubs to book clubs and comic book fans are represented, and it’s a great way to find some new people with whom you’ll immediately have something in common.


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Plus, there are mobile apps for iOS and for Android that you can use to find groups on the go—or use if you’re just more comfortable using your phone than surfing the site.

2. Exercise Classes


Exercise classes, like spinning classes, martial arts classes, yoga groups, or any other group fitness activity have their pros and cons when it comes to your fitness goals, but the one thing they’re universally great about? Introducing you to new people. After all, those people will see you sweating, see you struggling, and hopefully support you—and you’ll support them—in the quest to get fit and stay healthy.


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Some exercise classes and groups are better for this than others, so try to consider one that’s generally supportive from the get-go, like a martial arts class, self-defense class, or a dance class.

3. Local Sports Leagues


In the same vein as exercise classes, if you want a group where (largely, at least) everyone gets together to practice, tries to improve, and then goes out to show off their stuff in a (usually) chill and fun atmosphere, look into a local sports league or team playing something you enjoy. Maybe that’s a local softball or soccer league, or maybe it’s something much more laid back like a neighborhood bocce group or even a chess club. After all, not every sport needs to involve you getting a workout—some of them will get you out of the house and meeting people anywhere, any time.


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4. Cooking, Tasting, or Evening Classes


Exercise classes will get you out and meeting new people in a team-oriented or fitness-centric environment, but cooking classes, wine or liquor tastings, or other evening classes give you the freedom to do something similar without the whole, you know, physical activity part. Not to say there isn’t sweating and exertion in cooking—there is—but if maybe your goal is less “get in shape” and more “meet people while learning to cook like an adult,” cooking classes can help, and introduce you to others with the same passion.


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Cooking classes aren’t the only type that’ll do this though. Art classes, whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpting, or something more academic like art history or appreciation, will do the same. Whatever your interests, check with your local university or community college to see what they offer. Services like LivingSocial and Groupon regularly offer tickets and classes like these, and exploration groups like Atlas Obscura regularly host some of the most interesting and off-the-beat activities, tours, and events I’ve ever seen. Check them out.