The 5 Cities That Welcome Newcomers (and the 5 That Don't)

When you move to a new place and intend to put down some roots, it can be tough to meet new people and make new friends. This is easier in some cities than in others. Some cities have warm and welcoming people who can help you establish yourself in their city.

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There are also colder cities that are far less welcoming. According to SpareRoom, these are the most and least welcoming cities to relocate to.

Most Welcoming Cities

These cities have a welcoming vibe and plenty of people who love socializing and meeting new people. In these cities, it may be easier to make friends and get yourself established in your new city.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, it’s easier to meet people and make connections. The people there are highly social and very welcoming to newcomers. You’ll fit in in no time when you start over in this city.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Southern hospitality isn’t just a myth. People in Charlotte are highly welcoming to newcomers and take the time to talk to people. They love to socialize and get to know people.

Phoenix, Arizona

People in Phoenix love meeting new people. This is one of the favorite pastimes among those in the city. Here, it isn’t just the weather that’s warm and enveloping.

Boston, Massachusetts

When you move to Boston, you can count on a lot of people wanting to get to know you. The city is a great place to meet people and get to know the people of your new community.

Dallas, Texas

When you want to move somewhere that’s friendly and welcoming, Dallas is a great choice. It has a lot of opportunities both for jobs and for making friends. It’s a good place to relocate without feeling all alone.

Least Welcoming Cities

There are several friendly cities where people genuinely want to meet new people. However, there are also cities where people stay to themselves and don’t make that effort. These are those cities.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

People here have places to go and things to do, and they aren’t very willing to meet new people. You may find that it’s harder to meet people here and more difficult to make friends.

Portland, Oregon

In Portland, people tend to have their groups and aren’t looking for outsiders to join them. The people here aren’t very welcoming to people moving into the area, so getting a social network can be hard.

Miami, Florida

The glamour of Miami and the excitement of its nightlife may not be as fun for newcomers. People don’t make a huge effort to meet new people here, so it’ll take time to make friends.

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is known for being very spread out and dependent on cars. This can make it a little harder to meet people than in cities where walking is common. Don’t expect to get to know people right away.

New York, New York

New Yorkers are notoriously reserved, and they generally don’t speak to strangers. The standard behavior here is to ignore other people and not to even make eye contact with them.

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