The Easiest Way to Meet People After a Move (Before Summer Fills Up)
Apr 28, 2026There’s a window of time right before summer where everything starts opening up.
Sign-ups.
Schedules.
Leagues.
Events.
And most people miss it.
If you’ve recently moved, or even if you’ve been somewhere for a while but still feel a little disconnected, this is one of the simplest ways to start building a life where you are.
๐ Join something.
Not forever.
Not perfectly.
Just for a season.
Why this matters more than you think
One of the hardest parts of moving isn’t the logistics.
It’s the feeling of:
- Not knowing people
- Not having plans
- Not feeling rooted yet
And that doesn’t fix itself over time...without a little effort on your part.
It changes when you start showing up somewhere consistently.
Because connection doesn’t come from being in a place…
It comes from participating in it.
What this has looked like for me
I’ve tried a lot of different ways to meet people after moving.
Some worked better than others for me, but all of them started the same way…
by getting a little uncomfortable.
I’ve:
- Joined gym classes (even though I’m not a “gym person”)
- Gone to Meetup groups (where I ended up meeting my husband and made lifelong friends)
- Signed up for tennis lessons
- Joined a book club
And in another season of life, when I had two very young kids and was running my business, I didn’t have the capacity for me to attend structured groups as easily.
So I made it simpler on myself.
- Playdates with other moms.
- Time outside with kids.
- Low-pressure connection that still counted.
That season taught me something important:
๐ It doesn’t matter what you join.
It matters that you join in on something.
What actually works (especially in summer)
If you’re not sure where to start, summer makes this easier.
Look for:
- Local sports leagues (tennis, volleyball, rec leagues)
- Kids’ activities or summer programs
- Group outings to festivals or concerts (Think of who might go together to attend these events: church groups, newcomers clubs, etc...)
- Classes (glass-blowing, gardening, beekeeping, fly-tying)
- Outdoor hiking/biking clubs
- Facebook groups relevant to YOU (Asheville Mamas, Sioux Falls Singles, Manchester Cornhole)
Ask the library, chamber, school and neighbors for recommendations....everybody has something to share.
The two biggest things that hold people back
1. “I’m too busy”
This is the most common one.
But the reality is…
If you don’t make time to build a life, it’s hard to enjoy where you live.
You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to choose one thing...and do it!
2. “It feels awkward”
Also true.
Walking into something where you don’t know anyone is uncomfortable.
But the people who admit that, and do it anyway, are the ones who end up building real connections.
A simple mindset shift that helps:
๐ You’re not committing forever.
You’re just committing for a season.
There’s an end date.
You just have to show up and make the most of it while you’re there.
A quick note about kids vs. no kids
There’s this idea that having kids makes it easier to meet people.
Sometimes it helps.
But not always.
You still have to:
- Start conversations
- Make an effort
- Find something that fills your cup too
And kids’ activities can actually take time away from doing something for yourself.
So instead of comparing which is easier...
Focus on this:
๐ What fits your season of life right now?
Then commit to it.
If you do only one thing…
If you do only ONE thing after a move to feel more connected…
๐ Get out, meet people, and get involved.
Because the more you do that, the more opportunity you create to:
- Meet the right people
- Find your rhythm
- Actually enjoy where you live
A simple place to start
Look up:
- Your local Parks & Rec
- Community Facebook groups
- Summer event calendars
- Newcomers Club
- Community Education
And pick one thing.
That’s it.
A question for you:
What’s one thing you could sign up for this summer…that would get you out, meeting people, and doing something you enjoy?
Email me and let me know! [email protected]
