How to Meet New People and Make Friends in Your 20s
Practical tips for building genuine friendships, even if you’re busy, shy, or starting fresh.
Your 20s can be one of the most exciting and surprisingly lonely seasons of life. Between jobs, moving cities, studying, and adult responsibilities, making new friends doesn’t always come naturally. This guide walks you through why it’s challenging, where to find people, and how to turn acquaintances into real friendships (with actionable, real-world tips you can start today).
Why Making Friends in Your 20s Can Feel Hard
Turning 20 often means major life transitions. According to psychologists and social studies, many people face friend loss or stagnation in their late 20s because of:
- Changing routines (work, study, travel)
- Geographic moves
- Less casual social environments compared to school
- Fear of rejection or awkwardness
You’re not alone, hundreds of thousands of people struggle to forge new connections during this decade. The good news? With intention and curiosity, you can create a social life that feels meaningful. If this resonates, Loneliness in Australia: The Part No One Talks About explores this in more depth.
How to Meet New People in Your 20s
1. Lead With Curiosity, Not Pressure
Making new friends in your 20s starts less with where you go and more with how you show up. Leading with curiosity instead of pressure helps conversations feel natural rather than forced. You don’t need to impress people or have the perfect story, showing genuine interest, asking questions, and being present is often enough to spark connection.
This mindset shift is especially helpful if you feel shy or socially anxious, as discussed in How to Make Friends When You Have Social Anxiety.
2. Take the First Step
Taking initiative plays a bigger role than most people realise. Many potential friendships fade simply because both people are waiting for the other to make the next move. Sending a follow-up message, suggesting a second hangout, or checking in after a good conversation can be the small step that turns a one-time meeting into something more consistent.
3. Be Consistent, Not Perfect
Consistency matters far more than personality. Friendships aren’t built through one great interaction but through repeated, low-pressure moments over time. Showing up, sticking to plans, and making small efforts regularly helps build familiarity and familiarity is what eventually becomes trust.
This idea aligns closely with Why Spending Time with Like-Minded People Boosts Mental Clarity.
4. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
It’s also important to accept that a little awkwardness is part of the process. Feeling uncomfortable doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it usually means you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. Saying yes to invitations, starting conversations even when they feel clumsy, and remembering that most people feel the same way can make the process easier.
5. Follow Up and Build Momentum
Finally, following up and maintaining momentum is key. Meeting someone once is rarely enough. Suggesting another plan, sharing something relevant, or creating continuity between interactions helps move the relationship forward and prevents it from fading into a forgotten contact.
Where to Meet New People in Your 20s (Best Places & Platforms)
Once you know how to approach making friends, the next step is choosing environments where connections are more likely to happen naturally.
Friendship & Community Apps
Bunchups
Bunchups helps people connect nearby in-person for one-on-one or small group interest-based hangouts. Instead of endless chatting, the focus is on turning shared interests into real-life plans, making it easier to move from online discovery to offline connection.
You can also explore How Bunchups Enhances Your Social Life: App Features & Walkthrough for a deeper look.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a hyper-local community platform that connects you with people who actually live in your neighbourhood. It’s particularly useful in your 20s if you’ve just moved cities or suburbs and want to meet people nearby through local events, interest groups, or community conversations, without the pressure of one-on-one matching.
Meetup allows you to join events and groups based on activities, hobbies, or professional interests. It’s particularly useful for people who prefer meeting others in group settings rather than one-on-one situations.
Work, Study & Professional Spaces
- Co-workers
Workplaces are one of the most underrated places to form friendships in your 20s. Inviting a colleague for coffee, lunch, or a casual after-work activity can help turn professional interactions into genuine connections.
- Industry Events & Workshops
Professional meetups, talks, and workshops attract people with similar interests and goals. These environments provide easy conversation starters and often lead to repeat interactions. You can also check out more on How to Find Business Networking Opportunities in Australia.
- Co-working Spaces
If you work remotely or freelance, co-working spaces can offer regular social exposure without the pressure of forced networking.
Hobby & Interest-Based Groups
- Fitness Classes & Sports Leagues
Regular classes or team-based activities naturally encourage bonding through shared routines and goals.
- Creative or Learning-Based Groups
Art classes, language groups, or music workshops attract people who enjoy learning and self-expression, which often leads to deeper conversations. You might also enjoy How to Find Hobby Groups and Build Interest-Based Friendships in Australia.
- Book Clubs & Interest Communities
These settings remove small talk and replace it with shared discussion, making it easier to connect on common ground.
Events & Local Communities
- Markets, Festivals & Community Events
Local events offer low-pressure environments where socialising happens organically.
- Short Courses & Workshops
Time-bound activities help you see the same people repeatedly, increasing the chance of forming friendships.
- Community-Hosted Gatherings
Neighbourhood or city-based events can be especially helpful if you’re new to an area. You can read more in depth on How to Explore Your Neighbourhood and Build Local Connections.
Online Communities That Lead Offline
- Local Facebook or WhatsApp Groups
These groups are often used to organise real-world meetups, making them a practical starting point.
- Subreddits & Discord Communities
Interest-based online spaces can help you meet like-minded people before transitioning the connection offline.
The key with online communities is using them as an introduction and not a replacement for real-life interaction.
How to Turn New People Into Real Friends
Meeting new people is only the first step; real friendships form through intention and follow-through. Creating regular touchpoints, such as weekly walks or monthly game nights, helps build familiarity and trust over time. Sharing a little more with each interaction, whether that’s personal opinions, preferences, or honest reactions, allows connections to deepen naturally without feeling forced.
Being someone others feel comfortable around also plays a huge role. Listening actively, showing up when you say you will, and making people feel included leaves a lasting impression. Friendships tend to grow around people who are consistent, reliable, and emotionally present.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for others to reach out
Many friendships stall because both people are waiting. Taking the first step, even repeatedly often makes the difference between a missed connection and a lasting one.
- Expecting deep bonds instantly
Strong friendships take time. Allow relationships to develop gradually instead of rushing emotional closeness.
- Cancelling plans often
Reliability builds trust. Frequently cancelling, even for valid reasons, can unintentionally signal disinterest.
- Treating friendships like transactions
Friendships thrive on shared experiences, not what someone can offer you. Focus on connection rather than outcomes.
Conclusion: Your Social Life Is Built, One Step at a Time
Making friends in your 20s doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through small actions, repeated effort, and putting yourself out there, even when it feels uncomfortable.
If you’re tired of endless group chats that never turn into plans, apps like Bunchups make it easier to plan real-life hangouts and turn new connections into lasting friendships.
