How did you handle moving to an unfamiliar city (not NYC)?
Lateraled into IB from a non-IB job and I consider myself very lucky. Excited about the the new opportunity, but I am becoming more and more nervous about the move to a big city (Chicago, LA, Houston) where I don't have any close friends. Additionally, it's a fairly small office, so I won't have the benefit of a large network of coworkers. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on how to meet people and find roommates when you're not from the area, didn't go to one of the city's feeder schools, and don't have an established network? Did the long hours of IB make it impossible to get out and meet people?
I know finance people make this jump to NYC all the time, but I feel that it's more difficult socially in other cities. Anyone here been in a similar situation and had it turn out great? Or maybe you were in a similar situation and wish you handled things differently? Any advice would be helpful
Was in a similar situation years ago. You won't meet friends on the street, the gym, at a bar, or on Tinder. The only way to build friendships is through repeated social interactions, so join a softball team, church group, bicycle club, improv class, and go every week. Schedule them for Saturday and Sunday mornings when you know you'll be free. All it takes is to get in close with a small group, and it'll blossom from there. Good luck, you'll be fine.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Cycling club sounds like a good idea for me. May need to get back on facebook and find one of these
Definitely accurate. Join an intramural league on Saturday's and you'll have friends in no time.
I’m in a similar situation actually. Pretty large city, regional IB office with the analysts scattered across major cities but not all in the same place. I moved here knowing not a single person and it’s been a few months now & honestly with the work load there’s no easy answer so here are things I have done: 1. Have friends come for a weekend & go out (will most likely meet others at the bars, only takes one new friend to multiply into a new network of a bunch more) 2. Hinge has been actually pretty decent. On my off Saturdays I’ll take a date to a new place in the city I’ve never been (still don’t know how I feel about these apps for serious dating but just have fun lol) 3. Be comfortable with yourself for a while- play Xbox, hit up the gym/pool 4. Church social 20s-30s groups
Agree with this comment 100%. It'll take time, but keep at a social interaction over an extended amount of time and slowly but surely it'll develop.
take the bus use tinder work hard dont be a bitch
Currently in a similar situation and it's strange but you really just have to talk to people. I'm not great at it, but I was fortunate enough to make a friend who is. And then it was easy to become friends with his new friends as well.
It can be a bit of luck, but if you're really social it is (apparently) super easy.
Even if you work in a small office, if there's one person of a similar age that you get on with, the chances are they have a circle of friends they can introduce you to.
What about looking if your university has an alumni base in that city? Or any friends / family who know people in that city?
Tinder
Go to the bar, take a class, go to industry networking events. I’ve moved twice to cities where I’ve had no friend group and within 6 months had a crew.
Leverage your alumni association I made friends through going consistently to events and getting involved. I echo the sentiment about joining things. Also, consider volunteering.
Meetup.com, join professional affiliations/networking groups, tinder (easy way to meet people and explore the city if you filter out the crazies), go to the gym, workout at a park, go hiking, stop by a bar and have a drink/chat it up with the bartender, etc.
Plenty of ideas. The best part of moving to a new place is having the opportunity to explore! Put your adventure hat on and go for it!
I get to do the same very soon and in one of the largest US cities as well (at least I'll try to outside of my 70+ hour work weeks)...very much looking forward to it.
I moved to a new country for work.
Loose connections worked very well for me. Using people you meet and trying to get in to existing friend circles. Make sure you find something natural and in common so that you can genuinely get to know people you are interested in. If you are just finding people for the sake of not watching netflix alone, you will come off fake and insincere.
As far as how/where : For me expat groups, quiz nights at bars, city social events, sports (hiking, biking snowboarding), trains and flights when I'm headed back.
Don't worry about age. You can easily befriend folks 10-20 yrs your senior. I have lots of friends 15 yrs older than me. With your schedule, most will likely come through work. Be open to that.
I've moved a few times and the best place for me to meet new friends is always at the gym. Equinox, David Barton Gym, yoga classes... doesn't matter, always works.
lol you joined David Barton Gym - how was that? Isn't it low lighting ... is this one that was at Astor Place?
Moving to other places is the hardest thing to do. At first, you need to research about the place and get familiar with the environment before you decide finally.
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