How to Meet Active Friends After Moving to a New City

The most practical way to meet active friends after moving is to make the same kind of activity part of your week, then invite people to join in. Try a beginner-friendly class, walking or running group, climbing gym, or regular pickup game. Go more than once, start with a short conversation, and suggest one simple next meetup rather than expecting an instant friendship.

Pick an activity you’d do anyway

Choose something you genuinely enjoy and can attend regularly. A weekly group walk, a beginner climbing session, or a community sports night gives you a natural reason to see the same people again. If you’re new to the activity, look for a welcoming beginner session instead of feeling you need to be an expert first.

Research context: A study of undergraduate students found that individual and partner exercise were associated with participants feeling more supported; it does not show that every class or activity will lead to friendship, or that its findings apply to all adults. The practical takeaway is simply that exercising with someone can create an opportunity for connection. Read the study on exercise engagement and social support.

Turn a first hello into a repeat plan

Keep conversation easy: ask how long someone has been coming, what other local trails or classes they like, or whether they usually attend that session. If you click, offer a clear, low-pressure plan: “I’m coming back next Tuesday—want to meet for the class?” A specific activity and time are easier to answer than “We should hang out sometime.”

Here’s a simple progression you can adapt:

For a practical option beyond in-person groups, Actively is a platonic app for adults to find nearby workout partners and active friends through shared activity interests, mutual matching, and chat. It can help you start a conversation around a shared activity; it can’t guarantee a match, a reply, or that someone will show up. Meet in a public place for a first meetup and agree on the activity beforehand.

Make the plan easy to keep

Choose an activity and location that work for both people, agree on a start time, and keep the first meetup manageable. For example, meet at a busy park entrance for a 30-minute walk, or attend the same public beginner class. If plans change, send a brief message and suggest another specific time. Reliability is built through small follow-through, not a big promise.

You don’t need to meet a whole friend group at once. Start with one recurring activity and one new conversation at a time. Some connections will stay casual workout acquaintances; others may grow into friendships. Give the routine a few visits before deciding whether the people or setting suit you.