Moving to a new city can be rough. Once you’ve found an apartment and have gone through the grueling pack-unpack-decorate process, you’re still faced with the daunting task of meeting new people –especially guys. If thinking about trying to find a date in a new city makes your palms start to sweat, then keep reading—Her Campus is here with a list of easy ways to help you meet guys after you move!
1. Join a club or a sports team
Just after a big move is the perfect time to branch out and try something new! Whether you’re athletic or creative, it’s likely that classes are offered in something you’ve always wanted to try right in your new hometown. Taking a class or joining a recreational sports team could be the perfect way to meet the man of your dreams! Hit a pottery class at the local community center, or join a fitness class at the gym on your block.
There are likely soccer, kickball, or softball leagues in your new hometown, too, along with loads of other sports. Whether you’ve played before or not, joining these teams can give you a great opportunity to meet athletic, fun guys at the practices and games (and to celebrate with them after a big win!).
If you want to get the ball rolling early, join a social networking site like MeetUp.com that will help you find people in your area who share your interests. Doing what you love will help you find a guy who likes rock-climbing, photography, or whatever else you enjoy just as much as you do!
2. Go out alone
It’s harder for guys to gather the courage to approach you when you’re dancing with a bunch of your girls or when you’re out to dinner with your best friend. So instead of taking along your pals next time, try going out alone! Bring a book to the coffee shop and sit at a table for two, or sit at a two-person table for lunch at a little café in your new town.
Try not to be on your laptop or phone, though—guys might feel like you’re waiting for someone if you’re constantly texting or like they’re interrupting your hard work if you’re typing away on your computer. You’ll come off as mysterious if you’re sitting alone and reading, and it will be easier for guys to approach you if you’re by yourself. Be sure to keep an eye out for guys sitting alone doing the same thing!
Additionally, if one of your new friends in the area invites you to a party at their place, you shouldn’t drag a bunch of your female friends along with you. Going alone will force you to make conversation with new people since you won’t have a friend you already know keeping you occupied. It may sound intimidating, but since showing up solo requires confidence, it will make you exponentially more attractive to guys and will draw them to you (so you won’t be alone for long!).
3. Make an online dating profile
Online dating doesn’t carry the same stigma that it used to have. In the past, it felt like online dating was a last resort—now, it’s just too convenient an option to pass up! Everyone’s constantly attached to their smartphones and laptops anyway, so why not use yours to meet a potential date?
“Online dating makes it so much easier for college students to find a date or [a] new boyfriend when they move to a new city,” says online dating expert Julie Spira.
Whether you go for Match.com, OKCupid, or any other popular online dating website, make sure you’re being safe in how you use it. “It’s best to keep dates in a new city casual in the beginning,” Spira says. “No late night booty calls for drinks should be added to your date card. Always let a friend know who you are meeting and where you’re going.”
The key here is to remember that if someone else has an online dating profile, then clearly they’re looking to meet people, too—so don’t be nervous! Though meeting each other in person may be uncomfortable at first, as long as you come off as confident, friendly, and open, meeting people through an online profile can be a huge success.
4. Have your friends introduce you to guys
Maybe you haven’t meant any guys yet, but if you’ve made female friends since your move, they could be the key to finding the man of your dreams. Once you make some female friends, they’ll be able to introduce you to (or even set you up with) their guy friends!
“Let neighbors and new friends know that you’d like to be fixed up,” Spira says. “You just never know; your next door neighbor might have a cute cousin that just became available. Keep all your options open and cast a wide net.”
Clara Beyer from Brown University used this tactic to find a great guy last summer. “I knew basically one person in the city I was staying in,” she says. “He introduced me to a friend of his, she invited me to a party, and I met a guy at that party who I ended up casually dating for most of the summer.”
Though Clara hadn’t really wanted to go to the party originally, she broke out of her comfort zone and ended up having fun and meeting a great guy! “Basically, the best way to meet guys is to meet people,” Clara says. “The best way to meet people is to get out there and go do things! If someone invites you to do something (you know, within reason), say yes. It might pay off!”
The most important thing to remember is that there are loads of guys roaming around your new hometown just waiting to meet the right girl. If you’re open-minded and confident enough, there are limitless ways that you could meet the guy of your dreams in your area!