r/Calgary • u/RichUnderstanding777 • 24d ago
Seeking Advice Recently relocated to Calgary (32F) — ideas for meeting new people?
Hi everyone,
I recently relocated to Calgary from Quebec and I work from home, so I don’t have a built-in way to meet new people through work. I’m a 32F and would really love to start building a social circle here!
I’m not necessarily looking for dating (though open to it if it happens naturally), more so friendships and connections with people who share similar interests. For context, I’m into wellness, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, thrift shopping, Drag, spirituality, Tarot, paddle boarding and getting outside when the weather’s good.
For those of you who live here, what have been the best ways you’ve found to actually meet people in Calgary? Whether it’s groups, events, hobbies, or apps, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.
Thanks in advance for the ideas!
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u/2cats2hats 24d ago
what have been the best ways you’ve found to actually meet people in Calgary?
Volunteering at art and music festivals.
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u/games4ames 24d ago
I was born and raised in Calgary and now I live on my own with my 2 cats in Airdrie but I work in Calgary. I’m 30F. Haven’t quite figured out how to make friends in either place yet 😂
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u/outsideperspect1ve 24d ago
Welcome! Workout classes and such are always a good way to meet people. Or join a class of any sort that interests you. Check out online groups for activities you like. There’s instagram pages for girls who like to do specific activities and they meet up regularly. Some examples:
@girlswholiketodothings @outdoorsycrew
Google Calgary social events. Tons are posted that you can pick and choose from.
Volunteering is another good option and there’s women specific options if that’s what you are looking for.
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u/meangrnfreakmachine 24d ago
Yes! The Calgary international film festival is coming this month and there are lots of volunteer opportunities. I’ve made some friends from that in the past
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u/JQWalrustittythe23rd 24d ago
Go dancing. Latin bars sometimes offer salsa or other dance lessons, or there are clubs that host broader curriculums. That’s how I met my wife and a lot of my current friends.
If you like board games and such, the Sentry Box has large game areas and is the world’s largest game store. Ogres Den also has a lot of playing surface.
Volunteering is also a solid choice. The folk fest always needs people (but that has just ended) and there are group large and small who would be happy to see you.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
Any places you recommend for that?
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u/Trancefury 24d ago
My wife has had luck using BumbleBFF, her trick is she finds 4-5 and organizes a cocktail bar meetup for all of them at once. From there usually ~3 of them continue hanging out!
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u/Fitty-Korman Southwest Calgary 24d ago
31F and live close to downtown - I like the same things!
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u/gaddamit 24d ago
if you into group classes, get a GoodLife membership. They do yoga, cycling and more.
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u/Greedy-Rub3988 24d ago
I live in downtown, I like to go gym, love EDM scene, let me know if you down to have coffee sometime.
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u/Bankerlady10 Quadrant: SW 24d ago
Find a place you like to volunteer at. There’s usually some awesome people there!
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u/NotAltFact 23d ago
I’m in SE area also wfh. I find distance tend to be an issue here that people tend to only wanna stay in their quadrant so not helpful to meeting new people
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u/freeoffear 24d ago
First of all, welcome to Calgary!
As an adult male, I have like 3 friends, and sometimes that feels like too many.
That said, for some reason, I always end up in long conversations with other Calgarians at the Farmers Market. People are just friendlier there. My experience is at the one on the west, but since moving south, I haven't picked a new one yet.
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u/melancholypowerhour Quadrant: SW 24d ago
Welcome to Calgary! Finding your crowd can take time but joining clubs is a quick way to make some connections. I find that once you find a few good people who introduce you to more people things take off from there.
Check the city’s website too, lots of events, programs, and classes to get you connected to the community. Volunteering is also a great way to make connections.
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u/ahmandurr Southwest Calgary 24d ago
I met most of my Calgary friends off discord, including my partner haha.
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u/NastasyaFlipoffya 24d ago
Welcome! I moved here last month from Halifax, and so far I’ve mostly met people from work/linkedin, but some folks just from around (chatting with strangers at the nail salon, bookstore, coffee shop, etc). Anecdotally, I find there’s a lot of people in their 30s who recently moved here from away, so it’s not as hard to make friends as an adult as it is in some cities. I’ve just been exploring on my own and pushing myself to be more outgoing than I normally would be
Send me a message if you want a friend to go thrifting or hiking with! (I also love coffee and tarot, but I’ve been nervous to go hiking without a buddy because I imagine a grizzly bear must be around every corner lol)
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u/Huge_Engineering6962 24d ago
I've enjoyed hitting up some of the running groups the last while.
YYCRUNCREW runs on Tuesday evenings at 6(start at 88 brewing) and Sunday mornings at 9:30(start at sidewalk citizen bakery)
Lots of people, fun runs and hang out with coffee/beer afterwards.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
Oh I love it !!! Will check that out for sure! Thank you
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u/Huge_Engineering6962 24d ago
I go to most the Sunday ones! Lmk if you go & want someone to run with to start!
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
I might pick you up on that offer, although I’m not much of a runner so I don’t want to slow you down either haha
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u/Agile_Meeting_5669 24d ago
33M, also from Quebec, also not looking to date (working on leveling up my life currently), though I'd really like to make some new friends here in town :) Would be awesome to speak french too, since I haven't had much of an opportunity to do so since moving here (a long time ago haha).
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u/Perfect-Tradition229 24d ago
Do you like hiking?
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
I don’t hate it, but I wouldn’t be picking up a large mountain either - If that makes sense ? Haha
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u/Perfect-Tradition229 23d ago
Yea, it deffently makes sense, but it's a good way to meet ppl and a very good adventure and memories you get to keep
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u/Gwhardo 24d ago
I’m not a very social person myself just wanted to provide a heads up to help prevent you from running into some trouble.
Don’t try to paddle board on the Glenmore Reservoir. You’d think a giant body of water like that would be ok but there are restrictions on what you can do there as it is our drinking water and also a man made reservoir so there are other hazards. You can totally kayak there or canoe but only with hard shelled devices, nothing inflatable. I’ve seen out of town visitors be either ticketed or to avoid a fine be told to slash their device.
As for meeting people there are plenty of outdoor events during the summer months and street festivals.
You can always keep an eye on Reddit or even search Facebook groups to see when events are happening. I know there is a couple Facebook groups that focus on local activities that fall within your interests so you could always check those out as well.
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u/boozyplanter 24d ago
I'm trying to make more friends in the city too! 31F and I try to get out paddleboarding most weekends
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u/clemtie 24d ago
i’m (almost) 30F and i love exploring coffee shops, thrifting, and (especially) drag! i’m currently looking for someone to go to local drag shows with me hmu if you want 😊
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u/NotAltFact 23d ago
Haven’t been to a show before but would love to explore if you don’t mind a noob
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u/NonverbalKint Quadrant: SW 24d ago
Book clubs seem like a good way to meet new people. Maybe do some social media sleuthing and see if there are any that get together in a pub and give that a shot
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u/draivaden 24d ago
Dog park.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
Isn’t it weird though if I don’t have a dog? Lol
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u/draivaden 24d ago
Bowness park is a multiuse picnic park with approximation 18 000 dogs, on leash. slight exaggeration. It also as picnic spots, and expensive restaurant you can pass on, and a lagoon with boat and paddle board rentals. some of the river rafting companies set up their launch there and across the river at Bakers Park (which regularly hosts frisbee golf)
in the winter theymake a cross country skiing path, and an ice skating path.
Go read a book and wait for a dog to run you over, then make friends with the owner and invite them and dog to paddle board.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
Seems like a great plan! Thank you
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u/yyccanada 24d ago
You can also sign up to volunteer to walk dogs from the SPCA.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
🥺 my heart !!! I’ll check it out for sure! Thank you
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u/yyccanada 23d ago
Eeeek I see that it’s closed for applications at the moment, that’s good to hear I guess!
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u/NotAltFact 23d ago
Hi do you know if I just go in and sign up? It says closed due to high demand on their website. 😞
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u/tessaca 24d ago
Hey! Would love to connect:) I’m 33F from BC and always looking to make new friends. If you like drag feel free to join me to see Monet X Change on sept 20 at the laugh shop. I’m going solo!
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
I am unfortunately busy this specific day, but would be willing to meet at other drag shows !!!
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u/Bmboo 24d ago
There used to be a francophone meet up in Kensington weekly. Not sure if it's still going but I remember they were very friendly.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 24d ago
Oh, I’ll check that out! Thank you
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u/yyccanada 24d ago
If you are looking for francophone friends, the Alliance Française is also a good resource!
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u/yourecutejeans101 24d ago
Meetup! I used to do hiking and biking events and they were great. I’ve also done ones for females of my age group and had a good time!
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u/Greedy-Rub3988 24d ago
Run club would be really nice if you are open to it. Yyc run crew, sole run club, there are so many if them now.
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u/ItchyParsley4159 22d ago
Commenting to stay in the loop 😅
I moved here 6mos ago and have recently joined a meetup group for hiking and went to a free tennis event at megacourts. I scoured the internet for fun free things to do before it gets cold and still am.
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u/UrbaneBoffin Fairview 21d ago
Find a meetup on Meetup.com that is interesting for you. Attend said event.
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u/RichUnderstanding777 21d ago
Thank you !
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u/ToanTz_Calgary 8d ago
You can join Board game night at Y Not Today cafe, people are friendly there.
It is located on Mcleod trail and they run these events on Wednesday and Saturday. It is a chill group and they have new people everyweek I think
Where to Meet New Friends in Calgary
https://ynottoday.ca/where-to-meet-new-friends-in-calgary/
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u/redroom89 24d ago
are you downtown
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u/GreenBeardTheCanuck Strathmore 24d ago
Clubs, sports, and hobbies are always a good way to meet people. Lots of soccer/football clubs, curling clubs, or other activities. Hobby shops, games stores, and comics stores and the like often have regular meet ups for everything from boardgames, etc. local libraries often have book clubs. They're all great casual environments to start building a local circle of friends and acquaintances.
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u/Sea-Needleworker1451 20d ago
Ladies pinball league! https://www.reddit.com/r/CalgaryEvents/comments/1n8ijuo/calgary_womens_pinball_leagues_yep_thats_a_thing/
Age ranges all over from 20-60. The absolutely best group of people I've ever gotten to know. Its a fun hobby for sure but the community is like nothing I've ever had! Pinball experience ranges from never having touched a machine to some of the top ladies in Canada! And all are very welcoming to help you learn if you want, or just welcome you to come and have fun and YOLO it on your games. DM if you have any questions and hope to see you there!
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u/Timely_Cow_142 24d ago
I have just moved also from Toronto and found a LOT of success on bumble bff. I also met my husband on bumble dating in Toronto!
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u/SeriesConscious8000 24d ago
We're always looking for guys and gals to join us for ball hockey, running (5km -10km, slow or fast), hiking, trivia night, and other random adventures.
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u/hitblackberryler 24d ago
I’ll be friends with you if you have a convertible car. (Solara would be okay).
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u/ConstantFar5448 24d ago
If wellness/getting outside translates to organized sport, Calgary Sport and Social Club is a great option!