Your first week in a new city goes best when you split it into three jobs: set up the basics, learn your neighbourhood and plant the first social seeds. Do a little of each every day, and do not expect to feel at home yet; that usually takes longer than a week.
Moving somewhere new alone? Our guides on how to make friends in a new city and things to do alone in a new city go deeper.
Day 1: land and settle
- [ ] Unpack the essentials: bed, bathroom, kitchen basics.
- [ ] Locate the nearest supermarket and pharmacy.
- [ ] Save emergency numbers and your new address in your phone.
- [ ] Eat something familiar and sleep.
Day 2: official and practical
- [ ] Check what you must register locally, such as address or utilities.
- [ ] Set up internet and phone if needed.
- [ ] Learn the main public transport routes and buy a pass if useful.
- [ ] Find your nearest doctor or clinic and note the address.
Day 3: walk your neighbourhood
- [ ] Take a loop of at least an hour with no destination.
- [ ] Note a cafe, a park and a place to buy fresh food.
- [ ] Try a different route home.
- [ ] Say hello to one person, such as a shopkeeper.
Day 4: choose a regular spot
- [ ] Pick one cafe, library or bakery to return to this week.
- [ ] Order the same thing twice; becoming a regular is the start of belonging.
- [ ] Ask the staff a simple question: "What do you recommend nearby?"
Day 5: look for things to join
- [ ] Search for one class, club, sports group or volunteering option.
- [ ] Check noticeboards in the library, community centre or cafes.
- [ ] Sign up or note the first date to attend. See where to meet friends as an adult.
Day 6: do something alone in public
- [ ] Go to a museum, market or cinema on your own.
- [ ] Eat a meal out alone.
- [ ] Take a photo of something you like about the city.
Day 7: reach out and reflect
- [ ] Message one person you know in or near the city, or an old friend back home.
- [ ] Write down three things you learned.
- [ ] Plan the next week: one activity, one regular visit, one new place.
Week at a glance
| Day | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Practical | Basics working |
| 3-4 | Neighbourhood | Know your area, one regular spot |
| 5 | Groups | One thing to join |
| 6 | Solo outing | Feel comfortable alone in public |
| 7 | Connect and review | Message someone, plan ahead |
Meeting people in week one
You will not make a best friend in seven days, and that is fine. Aim for familiar faces. Say hello to the same people, use short chats such as those in how to make small talk and show up to the same place regularly. Friendships usually come from repeated contact over weeks.
Why this order works
The week runs from practical to social on purpose. Until your bed, food and transport work, you have little energy left for meeting anyone. Days 3 and 4 give you a map and a regular place, which lowers the effort of every later outing. Day 5 onward asks for the bigger step, because by then you know where you are and have already said a few words to strangers.
Scripts for week one
- To a shopkeeper: "Hi, I just moved here. Is there a good bakery nearby?" People like recommending local places.
- To staff at your regular cafe on day four: "I'll have the same as yesterday." Being recognised, even slightly, feels good.
- At a class or group: "Hi, I'm new in town. Is this your first time too?"
- To an old friend: "I moved to [city] this week. Have you ever been? I'd love any tips."
- To a neighbour: "Hi, I'm the new person in number 4. Just saying hello." Keep it short; you can leave it there.
More wording is in the what to say tool and the small talk glossary entry.
Beyond week one: weeks 2 to 4
| Week | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Return to what you tried | Attend the class or group a second time |
| 3 | Deepen familiar faces | Suggest coffee to someone from the group |
| 4 | Build routine | Keep two weekly slots: one activity, one regular spot |
Attending the same thing repeatedly matters more than finding the perfect group. People become friends through repeated, low-pressure contact. See make friends in a new city and moving to a new city alone.
Common mistakes
- Saying yes to nothing. The invitations you decline in week one are the ones that would have introduced you to people.
- Spending every evening at home to "settle in". A few evenings are fine, but boxes can wait.
- Waiting until you feel ready to explore. Familiarity grows from walking the streets, not from reading maps.
- Judging the city on week one. You are tired and unsettled. Reserve your verdict for a few months.
- Dropping the old friendships. A weekly message to people back home keeps you steady while new ties form.
If it feels lonely
Feeling low or lonely in the first weeks is common. It does not mean you chose the wrong city. Keep your routine, keep one planned social contact per week and tell someone how you are doing. If heavy feelings last for weeks, speak to a doctor or counsellor. For more ideas see lonely around people and things to do alone in a new city.
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.
Solo Era is an iPhone app with small missions for trying things alone, such as ordering a coffee and drinking it in the cafe, alone. It is not a way to meet people, but it helps you practise going out on your own, which makes the rest of this checklist easier.
FAQ
What should I do first when moving to a new city?
Handle the practical basics: sleep, food, transport and registration. Then start exploring.
How long does it take to feel at home?
It differs widely. Many people need a few months, so be patient.
How do I meet people in a new city?
Join regular activities, become a regular somewhere and say yes to invitations.
Is it normal to feel lonely at first?
Yes. Loneliness is common in the first weeks. If it stays heavy, talk to someone you trust or a professional.
Should I go out alone in a new place?
Yes. It helps you learn the city and builds confidence. Choose busy, well-lit places and follow normal safety sense.
What if I have no local friends or contacts?
That is a normal starting point. Use week one to build familiar faces: a regular cafe, a class, a neighbour you greet. Contacts follow repetition.
Should I join several groups at once?
Start with one or two. Going to the same group weekly builds more connection than sampling six once each.
What if my week is full of work?
Shrink the list: pick one practical task, one walk and one message per day. A short version still works.
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.
