To find a doctor, dentist, hairdresser or any local service in a new city, combine two sources: official directories for anything health-related, and a real person's recommendation for everything else. Asking a neighbour, a colleague or the staff in a shop is not only faster than reviews, it also starts the local contacts you came to build.
Being new means you have no list of "my" doctor, "my" barber, "my" plumber. Building that list is a chore, but it is also one of the quickest ways to talk to people in your area. Each service you need is a reason to start a small, genuine conversation.
What to sort first
Not everything is urgent. A useful order:
- Health basics. Where the nearest pharmacy is, what number to call in an emergency, how the local system works.
- A regular doctor or clinic, if your system uses one.
- A dentist. Easy to postpone, painful to need suddenly.
- Everyday services. Hairdresser or barber, tailor or shoe repair, laundry.
- Home and practical help. Repairs, locksmith, a trusted mechanic or bike shop.
- The nice-to-haves. Massage, optician, gym, vet if you have a pet.
Health systems differ widely between countries and even between regions. Do not assume anything from how it worked in your last home. Check the official health authority, your insurer or your employer's information for how registration and cover work where you live now. This page is general guidance, not medical or legal advice.
Where to look: a comparison
| Service | Best first source | Second source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor / clinic | Official health authority or insurer directory | Colleague, neighbour or pharmacist | Check whether you must register and whether the practice accepts new patients |
| Dentist | Insurer directory or official register | Someone who recently moved or lives nearby | Ask about how appointments and emergencies work |
| Pharmacy | Walk in and ask | Official directory for opening hours | Staff often explain how local services work |
| Hairdresser / barber | A person whose hair you like | Local community boards, street reputation | Look at the work, not only the reviews |
| Repairs / tradespeople | Neighbours, landlord, building manager | Established local business listings | Ask what the price range looks like before agreeing |
| Vet | Neighbours with pets, local pet shop | Official register where applicable | Ask where emergencies go out of hours |
| Gym, studio | Visit and observe | Community recommendations | Try a single visit before committing |
For anything where the price, rules or availability matter, check the provider's own page or call them. Do not rely on a forum post for details such as cost or opening hours.
The ask: scripts that work
You do not need an elaborate approach. People like being asked for a recommendation; it shows trust, and it costs them little.
To a neighbour: "Hi, I'm new in the building. Do you happen to know a good doctor/hairdresser around here?"
To a colleague or someone in a class: "I'm still finding my way around. Who do you go to for a haircut?"
To a shop assistant or pharmacist: "I'm new to the area and looking for a [service]. Is there someone you'd recommend nearby?"
To the person who just did a great job: "This is exactly what I was after. Would you be able to book me again in a month?"
If you are nervous about asking strangers, how to ask a stranger for help breaks down the step. How to make small talk gives follow-up lines for when the person replies with more than a name.
Turn an errand into a contact
Each service visit can be a small social rehearsal.
- At the first visit, say you are new and ask one question about the area.
- At the second visit, remember something they told you: "How was the trip you mentioned?"
- By the third or fourth visit, you are a familiar face. That is the start of being a regular; how to become a regular goes into this.
You do not need to become friends with your barber. But being greeted by name at a small shop makes a new city feel less anonymous, and it often leads to tips on events, shops or other neighbours.
A simple weekly plan: 3 errands in 3 weeks
If the full list feels like too much, do one step per week.
Week 1: the essentials.
- Locate the pharmacy and the emergency number from an official source.
- Find out how to register with a doctor if your system requires it.
- Ask one person for a recommendation.
Week 2: one local service.
- Book the hairdresser, barber or a repair job you have been postponing.
- Ask the person who serves you where they would go for another service.
Week 3: one neighbour or colleague.
- Ask someone from your building, your class or your workplace about their favourites.
- Write the answers in your phone under "Local contacts".
After three weeks you will have a short list and several short conversations. The new city checklist and moving to a new city alone cover the other practical and social pieces.
When recommendations don't fit
A neighbour's favourite hairdresser may not suit your hair, budget or taste. That is fine.
- Try a recommended provider once and judge it yourself.
- Say clearly what you want. A photo helps for a haircut.
- If it did not fit, thank the person who recommended it anyway. You are not rejecting them, and you can ask someone else next time.
- Keep notes on what you liked, so your next choice is better informed.
If you have specific health needs
If you take regular medication or have a condition that needs follow-up, ask your previous doctor for a summary and find out how the local system handles continuity of care. Pharmacists can often explain how prescriptions work locally, but the rules vary, so check with the official source. For anything urgent, use the local emergency number. If you feel overwhelmed or very low during a move, talking to a doctor or licensed therapist is a good step; if you are in crisis, findahelpline.com lists free, confidential helplines by country.
Using chores as practice
Booking appointments, asking for recommendations and returning to the same shop are small solo tasks that get easier with repetition. Solo Era is an iPhone app with weekly missions in the everyday and people categories. One example is "Ask a librarian how to borrow something new." (everyday, level 1). You can rate how nervous you feel before and after, and keep a journal of what you tried. It is not a service directory and does not find doctors or hairdressers for you; it helps you practise the asking.
Solo Era for iPhone
Practise asking for what you need
Try a people or everyday mission and rate your nervousness before and after. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions.
Moving countries? Moving abroad alone and how to make friends in a new country add the bigger picture.
FAQ
How do I find a good doctor in a new city?
Start with official health authority or insurer directories, then ask a pharmacist or someone in your area for their experience. Check whether the practice is taking new patients and how registration works.
Is it okay to ask a stranger for a recommendation?
Yes. Most people are happy to share a recommendation. Keep it short, thank them, and don't push if they do not know.
How do I find a hairdresser I like?
Ask someone whose hair you like where they go, look at examples of the work, and try a simple cut first. Be clear about what you want and bring a photo.
How many errands should I do per week?
One or two is enough. Spreading them out gives you time to build short conversations rather than rushing from one task to the next.
What if I don't know anyone to ask?
Ask the staff at a pharmacy, shop or library, or post in a neighbourhood noticeboard or community group. Your landlord or building manager can also point you to local contacts.
Can finding local services help me make friends?
It can start local contact. Repeated visits and friendly questions create familiarity. It is not a replacement for activities and groups, but it is an easy first step.
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.
