Making Friends in Vancouver – Part 1
Vancouver is known historically as having a bit of a bad reputation when it comes to making friends and can, for many, be quite socially isolating. It can be hard to make acquaintances in a city like Vancouver where the scene can be cliquey and difficult to penetrate for newcomers. With this in mind, it’s always worth taking the plunge, getting out of your comfort zone and attempting to expand your social network.
Here are some ways to help you take the leap and make some new friends in Vancouver.
Become a Volunteer
Connecting with your community is key when it comes to volunteering. Community service can be great if you are a bit on the shy side because it often puts you in a group where you can practice socializing and it has the added benefit of, well, helping others.
Here are some places to help you get started with your next volunteering challenge in Metro Vancouver:
Serve low-cost food at the Carnegie Community Centre
Stand up for abandoned animals at the BC SPCA
Take care of injured animals at Wildlife Rescue in Burnaby
Help organize donations at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Join a Volleyball League
Volleyball relies on teamwork and communication and can lead to building strong bonds and friendships. As soon as warmer weather creeps onto Vancouver’s local beaches, nets go up and volleyball season gets going, but remember to sign up early as spots get filled quite quickly.
Here are a few local clubs and leagues, for you to find some fellow volleyball lovers:
Urban Rec Indoor Volleyball League
Join a Dodgeball Team
Dodgeball can be a great way to meet friends with similar interests – and who doesn’t like throwing a ball at someone else to let off a bit of steam. Full of laugh-out-loud moments, Dodgeball can easily break the ice and get you interacting with others in a minimally stress-free environment.
A few of the most popular leagues in Vancouver with active social media followings:
Double Rainbow Dodgeball League
Meetups and Dinner Clubs
Meetups and dinner clubs are often created specifically to facilitate socializing. So, if you consider yourself a foodie, why not share that passion with other like-minded individuals?
Here are some of the most active and popular Meetups in Vancouver with at least 10+ people showing up to each gathering:
Top Things To Do in Vancouver Meetup Group
Extremely Shy – Looking for Friends? Vancouver Meetup Group
I Love My Friends But… Vancouver Meetup Group
Women’s Dinner Club for Newcomers to Vancouver
Join a Running Group
Many people are accustomed to the solo jog, but if you’re looking to meet new people, why not turn your normally solo activity into a social opportunity? From a quick search, you can see running groups are very common in Vancouver.
Here are some popular and active running groups in Vancouver, but make sure to check for one in your neighbourhood:
Get in on a Hiking Group
Many people come to Vancouver to experience the natural beauty of our provincial parks, well-maintained trails, and off-the-beaten-track outdoor adventures. As such, it’s natural that groups are formed for people to bond with fellow hiking enthusiasts. Hiking is also an opportunity for effortless bonding because it’s easy to strike up a conversation, connect, and experience what nature has to offer with others.
Like running groups, hiking groups are common in Vancouver, so you can look around to find your best fit. Here are some to get you started:
Chasing Sunrise Hiking Group (one of the coolest but not for beginners)
The Vancouver Walking Meetup Group (great for beginners to hiking)
The Hiking Club (designed for beginners)
There are many ways to make friends and Vancouver isn’t as unfriendly as people may think. Just be creative and if you do end up struggling to find your tribe, hopefully, this starter list will help.