10 Places To Look If You Haven't Found Your Tribe Yet

10 Places To Find Others Of Like Mind

A woman with long red hair gazes into the camera, smiling slightly. She holds a hand near her face, revealing a tattoo on her forearm. The sky is clear and blue in the background.

If you’re new to a place, you’ve outgrown the social group you’ve been part of up until now, or you’ve just never found “your people” you might be feeling incredibly alone.

There are a number of different places where you can find people who share your interests. If you’re not the type to strike up a conversation with the person who’s also buying gluten-free chocolate hummus at the grocery store, then don’t worry – there are alternative options.

1. Community event boards and newsletters.

An elderly man wearing a beanie, glasses, and a red plaid scarf sits on a park bench. He is reading a newspaper surrounded by autumn trees and fallen leaves. The sunlight filters through the branches, creating a warm atmosphere.

Your local place of worship or community center might have a board with all kinds of events and meetup groups listed. Alternatively, your weekly local newspaper (or online newsletter) might list a number of different groups that you can take part in.

These can range from generic to super-niche, depending on where you’re located. I’m quite rural now so the get-togethers offered here revolve around sheep-shearing classes and wheelbarrow swaps, but larger cities have all manner of events you could get involved with.

2. Volunteer or community project groups.

A group of five people wearing gloves pick up trash on a sandy beach. They are placing litter into a large black garbage bag. The scene depicts teamwork and environmental cleanup under a sunny sky.

One of the best ways to get involved in a community (and thus help to expand or cultivate the one that’s right for you) is to be of service.

Pretty much every neighborhood out there has a need for some kind of volunteer work. This may entail dropping off warm meals to homebound elders, walking dogs at a shelter, pitching in with a community garden project, or sorting items for a local library sale.

If you have some time to spare, then this is a great way to get involved in a community that aligns with your values and interests.

Choose a volunteer opportunity that speaks to you, and that you think will allow you to connect with others of like mind. If you’re an animal lover, go tend to the lonely pups! Chances are you’ll make friends with some other animal-loving folks while you’re there.

As an added bonus, people tend to think highly of those who give of themselves. You might consider this approach to be an act of “selfish altruism” because you’re benefitting from the charity work, but that’s not really the case. Making new friends and widening your social sphere would be secondary to doing good things for others. That’s an additional blessing, not the underlying motivation.

3. Facebook groups.

A person with a bun hairstyle and glasses is sitting on a beige couch with fluffy cushions, wearing a red plaid shirt and light blue pants. They are working on an open laptop in a cozy room with wooden paneled walls and soft natural light.

If you’re on Facebook, you’ve probably noticed that there are a bajillion groups on there. Whether you’re looking for local clothing swap groups, or you’d like to hang out with people who share your passions for both gelatin mold desserts and quantum theory, you’re likely to find a group there.

4. Meetup

A group of hikers with backpacks stand on rocky terrain, facing a scenic view of the ocean under a clear blue sky. The hikers are dressed in light clothing and use hiking poles. Vegetation surrounds the area.

If you’d like to hang out with people who share some of your favorite interests, then Meetup is one of the best sites out there.

You can try out several different groups that pique your interest, or even create events of your own if you’re looking for new friends in a super-specific niche.

For example, if you’re interested in getting together with people who share your ethnic background or language, and also want to discuss tabletop gaming, this is the place to find them.

Meetup offers both online and remote groups too, so you can take part even if you’re stuck at home for a while.

5. We3

A woman in a red shirt sits at an outdoor cafe, resting her head on her hand and looking down at her smartphone with a pensive expression. There are blurred buildings and greenery in the background.

Apparently studies show that the number three is downright magical when it comes to establishing a new community. The We3 app asks you all manner of questions, from your taste in music to whether you can identify grammatical mistakes. Then it’ll match you with several people in your area who match your answers. From there, three of you can hang out together in a group and let the conversation soar.

6. Hey! Vina

Four women are smiling and taking a group selfie. They are wearing casual tops and showing a variety of joyful expressions. The background is simple and unobtrusive, keeping the focus on their happy faces.

If you’re female and strictly looking to make friends with other women, then Hey! Vina might be a great app for you. It’s been compared to Tinder but for platonic girl friends, with the slogan “yes, you can sit with us.” If you’ve been having difficulty meeting other like-minded ladies, then it might be worth a try.

7. Patook

A young man with short hair and a trimmed beard wearing a teal t-shirt is leaning against a table while looking at his smartphone. He is in a modern living room with a white coffee table, black couch, and a geometric-patterned rug in the background.

Think of this like a platonic version of the OKCupid dating app. You’re asked a ton of questions about your values, interests, etc. and then rank them in order of importance. After that, you’re matched with others who share said interests by percentage.

8. BumbleBFF

Two women are sitting at a table outdoors, enjoying coffee. One woman with long brown hair is wearing a light blue dress and smiling at the other, who has red hair. The background is a dark wooden panel.

BumbleBFF is similar to Patook but has more users across several different countries. It’s ideal for expats who are looking for friends and community in their new location, or those who are looking for new social circles as life circumstances change.

9. Yubo

Two young women sit casually on a concrete ledge outdoors. Both are dressed in jeans and casual tops, engaged in a relaxed conversation. The background features buildings and a blue sky, suggesting an urban setting. One woman is smiling while the other listens attentively.

This is much like BumbleBFF and such, but it is geared specifically towards teenagers. Adults may have a tough time creating new friendships and social networks, but so can teens! This is especially true if they’re surrounded by people who don’t share their interests or values.

Yubo allows younger people to connect with others of like mind around the world, widening their community options significantly. It might even inspire them to pursue higher education in another country, or relocate for work after they’ve finished school.

10. Atleto

A group of women exercising in a gym, holding green dumbbells and smiling. The focus is on a woman in the center looking at someone beside her. The background is blurred, with two others visible in workout attire.

Are you rather athletically inclined? And are you hoping to cultivate a community with other people who like to toss heavy things around or get a sweat going? Then this might be the app for you.

Use it to connect with fellow runners, cross-trainers, pilates/yoga enthusiasts, weightlifters, etc. Then you’ll always have someone to spot you while you lift or encourage you to hold that pose for just a few seconds longer.