No matter whether you’re relocating for work, for fun, or for family, moving to a new country takes a lot of adjusting. One way to ease into your new home is to make friends and begin forming your new support network.
However, we acknowledge that making new friends isn’t always easy, and is generally more difficult for adults than children. With this in mind, it’s important to remember to be patient, be open, and go easy on yourself as you adapt!
As of 2023, Hong Kong is home to over 350,000 expats. They may come from all over the world, but one thing unites all of these people; their common desire to make friends in their new home.
Here at Allied Hong Kong, we’re an international moving company that endeavours to ensure that your move goes smoothly in every way, including settling in. That’s why we have created this guide to help you make friends as an expat in Hong Kong.
Making Hong Kong Home
Whether you’re moving to Hong Kong alone, with family, or with friends, expanding your circle is an important part of getting comfortable in your new home. These are some of our tips on how to make friends as an expat!
Hong Kong hot spots
How your social life pans out will largely be impacted by where you live. Areas like West Kowloon, Kowloon Town, and the Wan Chai district are some of the best places to live in Hong Kong for expats, as well as Victoria Peak for those with a bigger budget.
By choosing to live in a densely populated expat area, you will likely have more interactions with others in similar situations to you. A benefit of this is that you’ll have like-minded neighbours who understand and share in your experience.
On the other hand, living in a neighbourhood that’s less-popular among expats and has more local residents may open the door to more cultural experiences in day-to-day life.
While neither of these possibilities is better or worse than the other, it is worth considering the impact that your neighbourhood has on your experience making friends as an expat in Hong Kong.
Break the routine
Once you’ve moved into your new home it’s very easy to find a routine you like and stick to it. While routine is often a good thing, it can be limiting when you’re trying to make friends. Now’s your chance to step away from your usual routine, and open yourself up to new activities that you may never have tried before. It might sound cliché, but trying new things is a great way to make new friends! Stepping out of your comfort zone and moving away from your usual routine can be invaluable in helping you to branch out, meet people, and try new things.
Out on your own
Making friends as an adult can take some extra confidence, as you really have to put yourself out there. A great way to find your feet in the place you now call home, and potentially make friends too, is to explore some popular spots. These could be coffee shops, bars, or anywhere that you could strike up a conversation with someone. You never know who might be there for the same reason as you!