Don't be fooled by the wave, Copenhagen has been labelled as one of the most unfriendly cities in the world. And Stockholm might be great for flatpack furniture and ABBA songs, but it is the worst place in the world to find a new BFF.
What is Europe's most friendly country? The results are in and, according to the 12,000 people who took the survey, Portugal ranks top of all European countries when it comes to friendliness.
It's never easy to make new friends in a new city – it takes considerable effort, some planning and plenty of courage too. So, in the very beginning, you may be looking for good ways to hook up with like-minded people almost effortlessly. Thankfully, there are numerous mobile apps that can help you do just that.
“It's incredibly normal to feel alone in a new city. Unless you're someone who has always struggled to form relationships, chances are you will be able to make friends here just as you did in your last city. You won't feel completely at home or like you've found a new crew right away, and that's okay—don't rush it!
1. Ireland. Countless global reports have continually dubbed the people of Ireland as some of the friendliest and most welcoming to visitors in the world, and our readers feel the same; voting it into the top spot for the friendliest countries in Europe.
True friendships are admittedly rare, but they are possible if you know how to be one yourself and what to expect from others you want to call friends.
Finland has been ranked happiest country in the world for the fourth year in 2021 as per the World Happiness Report. Finnish people are one of the friendliest, making it to the top position.
The ten countries least welcoming to foreigners are, in order: Bolivia, Venezuela, Russia, Kuwait, Latvia, Iran, Pakistan, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Mongolia. China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine are only slightly more hospitable to foreigners, according to this report.
Moving alone just adds an extra dimension of uncertainty — and freedom. Moving to a new city where you don't know many (or any) people can be daunting at any age, but that feeling is temporary. Once you get to know your new city, meet people, and make connections, you'll wonder how you ever lived anywhere else.
Do everything! The most important thing for me, being in a new city, is to put yourself out there to meet people. This could be through work, exercise groups, meetups, social media, volunteering, or even dating apps. This does not have to break the budget.
