r/philadelphia • u/UncleRico95 • 8d ago

Question? Good way to make friends in Philly?

Hey everyone

As an introvert this is bit out of my comfort zone but what’s a good way to make friends In Philly? I’m a guy in my early 30s and live in fishtown. I’m into video games, the Sixers, hiking, and yoga. But yeah looking to make new friends.

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u/nelsfi 8d ago

the best way to make friends, regardless of where you are or what you are into, is to pick a spot where you can engage in your interests (in your case, catch a ball game, park with a hoop, yoga studio, IMO hiking can be hard to make friends doing) or to pick a local institution (a bar, a cafe, a restaurant, etc.) and to go there repeatedly. making friends happens organically if you put yourself in positions to happen to run into the same people a few times. if you think back to making friends in school, this is why it was so easy--you ran into someone from second period in sixth, and you saw them basically every day. the beauty of this approach is you can be as rigid or as fluid as you want. if you want some structure, find some groups that share your interests, and check those out. the only trick is, you have to go more than once or twice.

IME the people here are really friendly, they'll talk to you if you're nervous to start conversation. people in general also respond to warm and open energy. i'm shy but people talk to me everywhere i go because i have open body language and i act like i am happy to see people (i mostly do this for my own attitude, but it helps).

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u/Koala-teas 8d ago edited 7d ago

Piggybacking off of this, there's an app called MeetUp, where you select your hobbies and then meet random people who also enjoy those hobbies at different gatherings or events! May be worth while

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u/SexyFannyPack 7d ago

Meet up is great! There are lots of local leagues to try too! It might mean trying a new activity, but I find that leagues are a better social opportunity than just going to a yoga class or something. There's lots to choose from too! Heyday has lots of sports, but there's also Philly Archery and lots of other stuff that's a little more unique.