The best apps for a new city cover four separate jobs: practising the nerve to go out alone, finding events, meeting people and getting around. Solo Era handles the first, Fever and Meetup the second, Timeleft and Bumble BFF the third, and Google Maps and Citymapper the fourth. You do not need all of them. One app per job is plenty.
The four jobs
People often download ten apps in week one and use none. Think in jobs instead.
| Job | Question it answers | Apps in this list |
|---|---|---|
| Practise | "How do I get out the door alone?" | Solo Era |
| Discover | "What is happening near me?" | Fever, Meetup |
| Connect | "How do I meet someone?" | Timeleft, Bumble BFF, Meetup |
| Navigate | "How do I get there?" | Google Maps, Citymapper |
How we chose
We read each App Store listing on 2026-11-01 and official sites where they loaded. We did not test coverage in every city, and we quote no prices, ratings or user numbers. Always check whether the app works where you live.
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Fit for a newcomer | Is it useful without existing friends or local knowledge? |
| Low barrier | Can you start with something small? |
| Solo-friendly | Do you have to arrive with a group? |
| Clear listing | Does the listing say what you get? |
1. Solo Era
Best for: newcomers who want to get comfortable doing everyday things alone in a place where nobody knows them.
When you move, the same errands become new: finding a cafe, a gym, a grocery shop. Solo Era turns those into missions in seven categories (food, movement, culture, travel, everyday, solitude and people) with five difficulty levels. Level 1 examples from the library: "Deal with an errand you have been putting off, in person." (everyday), "Ask a stranger for directions even if you know the way." (people) and "Take a bus route you have never used to the end of the line." (travel). A weekly mission gives you a place to start, and custom missions let you add your own, such as "visit the farmers market".
You rate how nervous you felt before and after each mission, and the journal keeps a photo and notes, so a month later you can see what you did. Progress shows your ratings over months with XP and a weekly streak. Our new city checklist pairs well with it.
Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.
Not a fit if: you want maps, transit times, event listings or introductions to people. Solo Era does none of those. It is iPhone only and not therapy or medical care.
Solo Era for iPhone
Make your first outing in the new city a rated mission
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
2. Meetup
Best for: finding interest groups, such as hiking, board games or language practice, that meet regularly.
Meetup, from Meetup LLC, lets you join groups and events, online or local. The listing says it recommends events hosted by local groups using your device's location. Joining one group and going three times matters more than browsing fifty. See our Meetup alternatives for other routes.
Not a fit if: you dislike open-ended socialising. Choose activity-based groups where there is something to do.
3. Timeleft
Best for: meeting a small group over dinner, coffee or a run without organising it yourself.
Timeleft's listing says you take a quiz, book a dinner, drinks, coffee or a run, and the venue and your group are revealed shortly before. The site says it runs in "52 countries and 200+ cities"; check whether yours is among them and what a booking costs on the official FAQ. If it is too big a step, see events you can attend alone for gentler options.
Not a fit if: your city is not covered or a table of strangers feels like too much this week.
4. BFF: Make friends & meet up (Bumble BFF)
Best for: people who prefer to chat first and meet later.
The listing describes profiles with bios, interest tags and photo prompts, one-on-one chats and Groups. It is a matching app, so you decide who to talk to, which some newcomers prefer. Our Bumble BFF alternatives page covers other routes.
Not a fit if: profile-based apps drain you. Anyone you meet online is still a stranger, so meet in public places.
5. Fever: Events & Tickets
Best for: exploring your new city through shows, museums and food experiences.
Fever's listing describes a map of events near you, filters by date and time and phone tickets. A single seat to a show or an exhibit is a low-pressure way to learn the city.
Not a fit if: you want to meet people. It sells experiences and does not connect attendees.
6. Google Maps
Best for: a default map, route and place-finding app.
The listing describes live traffic, navigation for driving, walking, cycling and public transport, and place information with photos and reviews. You can save lists of favourite places, which is a handy way to keep a shortlist of cafes to try. Details of local transit coverage vary, so check your city.
Not a fit if: you want local transit detail beyond what it shows. Pair it with a transit app.
7. Citymapper
Best for: getting around by public transport and mixed modes in supported cities.
The Citymapper listing describes comparing travel options across transport modes with turn-by-turn directions for transit, walking, cycling and scooters. Coverage depends on the city, so open the listing or the app to see whether yours is supported.
Not a fit if: your city is not covered.
A first-month plan
| Week | Step |
|---|---|
| 1 | Set up navigation; do one level 1 mission (a cafe, a library or a shop) |
| 2 | Pick one group or event with a built-in focus and go once |
| 3 | Go back to the same place; say hello to one person |
| 4 | Try one structured social format, such as a group dinner, if you feel ready |
Rate your nervousness 1 to 10 before and after each outing; the self-rating method shows how. For the longer view, read moving to a new city alone and making friends in a new city. Settling services such as banks and registration vary by place, so check official local sources for those.
If loneliness feels heavy for weeks, talk to a doctor or licensed professional. Apps help with steps but are not care.
Last checked: 2026-11-01. Facts come from App Store listings and official sites and can change. Confirm availability and prices in your city.
FAQ
What apps do I need when I move to a new city?
Usually a map, a way to find events and, if you want, a way to meet people. Add Solo Era if the hard part is going out alone.
How do I make friends in a new city?
Repeat visits to the same place or group work better than one-off events. Our friends in a new city guide has steps.
Are these apps available everywhere?
No. Event, dinner and transit coverage depend on your city. Check each listing before you rely on it.
Is it okay to do everything alone at first?
Yes. Many newcomers start with solo outings, then add groups. Choose a pace that feels manageable.
Is Solo Era a social app?
No. It has no feed, friends list or matching. It is a practice app with missions, ratings and a journal.
How long does it take to settle in?
It differs for everyone. Small regular steps help, but there is no standard timeline.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
