How to Make Friends as an Adult: 13 Ways That Legitimately Work

Learning how to make friends as an adult can be pretty difficult.

You meet someone, you think you click, and then they ghost you. Or maybe the process is just a bit too awkward. Trust me, I’ve been there so many times.

It’s seemed so simple for kids to make friends, but when it comes to adults finding friends and making social connections, it feels a lot more complicated. You have a job, you might have had bad experiences, and other people seem ways too busy.

But it doesn’t have to be complicated, and there are so many great ways to make friends as an adult and build that deeper more meaningful connection.

I’ve been traveling full-time since 2016, so I’ve had quite a few experiences of making friends from around the world. It isn’t always easy to attract the right people or commit the time to making new friends, but there are methods and things you can do to make it easier.

So here are some ideas that’ll make the process of making adult friends a bit simpler for you! They’ll help you foster and build deeper relationships no matter what stage of adulthood you’re in.

Just head down and read over these ideas on how to make new friends as an adult

1. Check Out Facebook Groups

I’ve met some of my closest friends on local Facebook groups and here’s how you do it.

Find a Facebook group that’s dedicated to locals (or even non-locals) in your area.

So for instance, you can type in your local town, city, or county, and then look under the groups section and see what’s available. Or you can get more specific and type in the name of the city, town, or county and then add in a specific word like, “artists,” “women,” “locals,” etc.

Then, once you’ve done this, you can join and ask the group if there’s anyone who wants to hang out and get a cup of coffee or go out to eat.

Maybe even make it more specific to an interest and say something like, “Hey, I’d love to hang out with anyone who’s into hiking,” and then fill in the rest.

2. Volunteer

Volunteering and community involvement can be a great way to meet people who also share the same passions as you.

Seriously, if you’re looking into how to meet new people as an adult, then this is one of the best ways you can do it.

So whether you want to serve and help in orphanages or take care of animals, you can find like minded people to connect with. You have no idea how many people you’ll meet that are just as passionate as you about making a change.

If you already have a friend where you live, then let them know that you’d like to make more friends.

Be open and honest with them.

Then ask them if they’d be willing to set up a get-together between you, them, and maybe one or two other people. Keep it small so it’s not overwhelming.

I feel like this can be an easier way of making friends since you and this new person have something in common; you’re both mutual friends with the person that set up the date.

Also, your friend can be the helping hand you need to make conversation flow.

4. Reach Out to an Old Friend

This method might be one of the easiest ways to make friends as an adult.

Not all friendships split up over negative circumstances. In fact, it can happen because you moved cities during high school, or you both got too busy with work and fell out of touch.

So look up those people you used to hang out with. Maybe they’ve moved to a city near you, or their work has changed.

Reconnecting with a friend is such a simple way to start connecting with others again.

5. Small Groups and Other Religious Events

This is a great method for making friends as an adult, and it’s definitely worked for me.

I have two incredible friends I met in a small group at a local church.

I didn’t even end up staying at that church, but they’re both still my best friends to this day, and we talk throughout the month.

And beyond small groups, there are other options as well!

So you could look for volunteer ministries at your church, study groups, music events, and other times when you’d be able to meet new people.

6. Couchsurfing.net

This one sounds weird, but you have to trust me here (and no, you don’t need to sleep on someone’s couch).

CouchSurfing is a site where people post their couch or spare bedroom to stay in for free in different cities and towns around the world. And the cool thing about the people who host free spaces is that they’re already up for making friends.

People only host others for free if they want to meet new people and put themselves out there.

So here’s what you do: Check out multiple people’s profiles in your area, see if their bio sounds like someone you would actually want to hang out with, and then message them. 

Say something like, “Hey, I don’t need a couch to sleep on, but I would love to hang out and get to know you! In your profile, I saw that you were into {insert hobby or interest} and have been to {X countries}. You seem like a really cool person, so I’d love to buy you a coffee and talk!”

I’ve made a very good friend in Norway like this, and I know that it can be done elsewhere too!

UPDATE: Couchsurfing.net used to be free, but now it’s $4.99/mo or $19.99 a year.

7. Join a Specific Workout Class

If you keep asking yourself, “Where do I make friends as an adult?” Then this is a good place to start.

And while you could get a gym membership and hope a friendship strikes up, I think it would be better if you took an actual fitness class.

You and the people in your class are all working on something specific, so you have one point you can already relate on.

So maybe after one of the sessions, you start talking to another person in the group, and ask them what they think of the class.

It’s a small way to start a connection, but either you will start a good conversation right then, or it will be the starting point of a potential friendship later on.

8. Join a Local or Virtual Book Club

Book clubs can be a great option for meeting new people and making new friends!

So you could look to your local bookshop, library, or search online for book clubs in your area.

But you could also do a virtual book club if you’re busy! There’s a site called Bookclubs which has different online book clubs that you can join, and I honestly think that’s pretty cool!

9. Tap Into Your Community

Don’t overlook local events that are happening in your own community if you’re trying to figure out how to meet people as an adult.

It’s a great way to make friends and get plugged into what’s happening in your area.

So if there’s an event at a local coffee house, music festival, farmer’s market, a play, or anything else where you can potentially mingle, then this is a great option!

10. Sign Up for Classes and Workshop

I feel like this one is a bit cliche, but it does need to be said if you’re trying to figure out how to meet friends as an adult.

Taking a class and workshop is a genuinely good place to make friends.

Just like with the gym class ideas above, you are all working on something together, which gives you common ground.

And it also gives you a good jumping off point for a conversation with someone. If you’re both taking part in the same thing, then you can both talk about your individual experiences.

Also, if you notice this other person doing great in the class or workshop, compliment them! You don’t necessarily have to start a conversation, but it does get them feeling good emotions towards you and they’ll remember you next time.

11. Try Friend Finding Apps

I know that I talked about using Couchsurfing.net to find friends, but there are also plenty of other great options out there!

So online spaces like Bumble BFF, Meetup, or Hey!Vina can be a great place to start.

Also, it gets rid of a bit of the anxiety involved in going to events to meet new people, if that makes you nervous.

12. Create a Life You Enjoy

Start doing things for you!

Start doing things that make you happy, and that fulfill your life.

Don’t try to put yourself in activities you know you’re going to hate.

Join groups and events that excite you!

When you’re filling your life up with different things you enjoy and getting yourself out there, you’re gonna start meeting people who like the same things as you.

13. Make the Second Meeting About Them

Another good way I’ve solidified a good friendship was to simply listen to their interests, and make the second meeting about that.

So for instance, I had some friends who mentioned that they liked Asian food, so my husband and I offered to meet up with them at a really good dim sum restaurant for Lunar New Year (a few days later). 

Basically, you get the next meeting in, plus you’re making it about them and making them want to get to know you better, and being excited for the next meeting.

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When you’re learning how to make new friends as an adult, it can be very intimidating to put yourself out there. But I just want you to know that you can do it!

Also, I really hope these tips on how to find friends as an adult helps you in making some incredible friendships in the very near future. 😊