Now that individuals are increasingly vaccinated, apartment dwellers are ready to mingle and meet new friends. Whether you’re moving to a different city or just looking for a new group to spend time with, the best friends you can make could be right in your building. This article will highlight creative ways to find friends and meet like-minded individuals to help you truly feel at home.
While many of the suggestions we offer here may involve going outside of your comfort zone, most individuals in your building are probably equally as eager to make new connections. Not only can your neighbors be a great resource for times when you need a helping hand, but they can also accompany you to events in the area or be a friendly companion for movie night.
1. Host a Housewarming Party
There’s no better way to meet your neighbors than hosting a party. Leave a sticky note on your neighbors’ doors letting them know you’re throwing a party or create a flyer and leave it under their door. Make it a themed event to have plenty of conversation starters for everyone, such as “Halloween in June,” a Mexican dinner party, beer tasting night, or a margarita party.
A beer tasting event or margarita party allows attendees to showcase their favorite brews, tequilas, and marg mixes which is a great conversation starter as well. Alternatively, you can also invite your neighbors to a holiday party or birthday you’re throwing for yourself or a friend. Even if your neighbors can’t stay for the whole party, they may be likely to stop by to say hello.
If you don’t have space in your apartment to host a party, or if you don’t feel comfortable inviting guests you haven’t met before, consider hosting a party in one of your building’s amenity areas. For example, Draper and Kramer’s buildings offer resort-style sundecks and pools and private cabanas, grilling stations, and a fire pit, which is the ideal place to host a party. If you’re throwing a party during the colder months, several Draper and Kramer buildings offer clubhouses with kitchens and lounge areas with TVs, billiards, and more.
2. Take Advantage of Resident Events
Some luxury buildings offer fun events and activities for residents, which is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with your neighbors. Draper and Kramer offers a resident events calendar with a wide range of exciting activities throughout the year, including food tasting, sports events, fun entertainment, and so much more.
3. Strike up a Convo in the Amenity Areas
Most buildings, especially those at Draper and Kramer, are filled with amenities that make it easy to socialize with neighbors. Whether you’re relaxing in a cabana on the roof deck, working out at the gym, knocking out some work in the coworking areas, or enjoying the pool, there are plenty of ways to strike up a conversation with someone who appears approachable.
Opening with a question about the building is a great way to meet a fellow neighbor, especially if you recently moved in. If you’re new to the area you can also ask for restaurant recommendations or fun attractions in the area. Another great way to open a conversation is by starting with a compliment (as long as it’s genuine, of course!). If you see someone wearing an outfit or pair of shoes you like, open a conversation with a compliment and ask where they bought it. This works particularly well if you’re into music and see someone carrying a guitar or if you’re hosting a party and see a neighbor on the elevator with a case of beer.
4. Organize or Join a Club
Whether it’s a dinner club or a club focused on movies, books, beer, sports, or any other hobby or interest you have, consider organizing a club or joining one that’s already in place. Some buildings have an area with announcements regarding community events, clubs, job postings, etc., so that could be a great place to check. Or create flyers with sign-up information announcing your club and put them under your neighbors’ doors!
5. Join Social Media Groups or the Nextdoor App
Some buildings have Facebook groups for building residents to get to know one another, ask questions, and share events or social gatherings. This could be a great place to share that you’re new to the building and are open to getting to know the building residents. If your building doesn’t have a Facebook group you can also check out Nextdoor.com, which is an app and website where individuals can share recommendations about local businesses, post new projects or activities they’re participating in, or share invitations to parties and events.
6. Get to Know the Furry Friends in Your Building, Too
If you live in a pet-friendly building and are an animal lover, there is most likely no shortage of pups around. If you have a dog, he or she has probably taken care of socializing for you, as dogs are often eager to play with other pups in the building. If you don’t own a dog, strike up a conversation with a pet owner by asking what the dog’s breed or name is. All Draper and Kramer buildings are pet-friendly and offer a host of amenities for pet owners, making it even easier to strike up a conversation with a neighbor. For example, Draper and Kramer’s Burnham Pointe property in Chicago features an indoor dog park, while Draper and Kramer’s Eleven Thirty building offers a luxurious dog spa.
Key Takeaways
While there are often plenty of areas to socialize in an amenity-filled building, bear in mind that some individuals may simply prefer to keep to themselves. Don’t take it personally. It’s never a reflection on you, just their own preference. There are most likely many other individuals in the building who are eager to meet new friends, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempt to meet a neighbor doesn’t go as planned.
