How to Make Friends in Houston
Making new friends as an adult can be hard. I’ve talked to many people who have outgrown certain friendships, desire more meaningful connections, or have recently moved to Houston and are looking to create new friendships.
Having a community is so important to our mental health and well being, and high quality friendships play a significant role in how happy and fulfilled we are. Our support system is also correlated with our level of resiliency and our ability to tolerate stress. When we have strong connections and a community to lean on, we feel much less alone through different chapters in life.
The people we choose to surround ourselves with will have a direct impact on the quality of our lives, so it’s important to be mindful of who you spend your time with (your time is valuable, after all). It can be helpful to reflect on the traits that are most important to you in a friendship, and the type of people who will support your core values, goals, and priorities.
If you’re seeking out new friendships or looking to create authentic, meaningful connections in Houston (or any big city), I’ve listed some tips below. Some of these ideas might feel vulnerable, uncomfortable, and exposing, but that discomfort often indicates that growth is taking place. And the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
Join a Book Club in Houston
If you enjoy reading, a book club can be a great option to find intellectual, like-minded people. What I really enjoy about book clubs is that they keep me accountable to do something I love — reading books! A book club is a great way to connect with others, have stimulating conversations about the book you’re currently reading, and develop long lasting friendships.
If you’re having difficulty finding a book club, or are completely new to Houston and don’t know where to start, I joined Between the Covers several years ago. I was only a member for a few months because the pandemic hit shortly after, but I have stayed connected with some of the women I met through this book club (and made new friends through those women as well).
One thing to note is that this book club did have a religious tone to it and seemed to attract a lot of women who identify as Christian. As someone who is agnostic, that part didn’t quite resonate with me, but I was still able to connect with group members in other ways (and not everyone in the group was religious) and it felt inclusive. This might also depend on what city you are in and what group you get placed into, but definitely something to consider if that is not your vibe.
If that specific book club doesn’t sound like what you’re looking for, there are plenty of other book clubs all around Houston! Many of them can be found on google or facebook groups.
2. Attend a HumanHQ event in the Houston Heights
HumanHQ is the sister company to Modern Therapy, which is a group therapy practice I worked for previously. HumanHQ hosts events (I believe once a month) in the Houston Heights area that are led by therapists and often have guest speakers. The events are focused on facilitating meaningful conversations that allow for genuine connection with other attendees. They also have the option to join a small group that meets biweekly for one year!
During my first year working as a therapist at Modern Therapy, I actually hosted one of the small groups at HumanHQ. Although the small groups are usually hosted by therapists, they are not group therapy. These groups are more of a space to explore different topics and get to know the other members on a vulnerable level. This is definitely something to look into if you are craving deep, meaningful connections with others, and want something a bit more structured around these discussions.
If you’re interested in joining the small group, I believe there is a simple interview process to make sure you’re a good fit, but the monthly events are open to the general public.
3. Sign up for BumbleBFF
Some people cringe when I’ve mentioned the idea of joining BumbleBFF, but I actually know several people who have made great friends through BumbleBFF! I think it’s actually a great concept because you can be intentional when setting up your profile, and be direct with what you are looking for in a friend. It also allows you to be selective with who you engage with and meet, so you’re putting energy into potential friendships that feel more aligned with your values. You can also get a feel for similar interests you might have with people based on their photos or interests selected.
BumbleBFF is also an easy way to put yourself out there without putting too much effort in, because you don’t even have to leave your home to create a profile. So you really have nothing to lose by trying!
4. Attend Workout Classes
There are so many great workout studios in Houston, and the sense of community that comes with many of these studios is a huge perk. If you’re a fitness junkie like me, I definitely recommend trying out different workout studios to put yourself out there and engage with others in a more active setting. I’ve love using Classpass to attend studios all around Houston and Austin (you can use my link for a free trial + bonus points here). It definitely allows for more variety with your workout routine. My favorite workout studios in Houston are Ryde, Boost Pilates, Black Swan Yoga, Motiv Fitness, and Method Pilates. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.
If you’re a runner, you can also check out different run clubs in Houston. I’ve known a few people who were a part of a run club in Washington Heights, and it was an easy way to make new friends while doing something they already enjoyed.
5. Find Meet Ups Through Facebook Groups in Houston
There are facebook groups that are geared specifically to women in Houston, as well as for residents living in certain neighborhoods throughout Houston. Many of these facebook groups will coordinate gatherings for people to make new friends and explore similar interests. I’ve seen facebook groups in Houston for young professionals, women, dog moms, moms of Houston, etc. This can be a great way to check out your local area and find meet ups that people are coordinating that might interest you. It should be pretty easy to find different groups on facebook, but a few popular ones I’ve seen for women are Houstonians for Pop Culture, Fun on Weekdays Houston, and The Houston Club.
6. Go to a Houston Dog Park
Obviously you need a dog to do this one… but if you do have a dog, go to the dog park! Going to the dog park is a great way to meet new people consistently. I love the community that my dog has brought to my life, and really feel that it’s made it so much easier to make new friends. I’ve also found that because I go to the dog park so regularly, I see the same people consistently, and therefor it’s easy to build connections. A bonus — your dog gets to make new furriends as well.
My favorite dog park in Houston is Eleanor Tinsley, but there are dog parks all around Houston, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one in your area.
7. Become a Houston Volunteer
Volunteering is obviously a great way to give back to your community, but it can also get you connected with some really genuine people. You can find volunteer opportunities in Houston through VolunteerMatch, or by googling “volunteer in Houston”. I recommend choosing a cause that you really care about or are interested in, whether that’s helping the homeless, advocating for gun control, helping animals in the shelter, helping children in foster care, or attending charities or walks that raise funds for a good cause. There are so many ways to give back and by doing so, you’re putting yourself out there in the process.
Another way to volunteer and become very active in the community is through Junior League. I don’t have personal experience with the Junior League, but I do have a few friends who were members and made friends through this community. It definitely sounds like a big commitment, but there are a ton of volunteer and networking opportunities through the Junior League of Houston.
I hope these tips are helpful! Genuine friendships bring so much joy to our lives, so building a community and finding your people is definitely something to prioritize as a part of your self-care. Putting yourself out there helps to build confidence by overcoming new and uncomfortable situations, and will inevitably lead to you finding a great community.
Online Therapy in Houston and throughout Texas
If you are looking for a therapist, feel free to reach out if you think we’d be a good fit to work together. You can read more about me and my approach here. My approach is trauma-informed, person-centered, and grounded in humanistic and existential philosophy. I work with young professional women navigating anxiety, relationship struggles, and life transitions.
Please note: this blog post is for practice updates and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for mental health therapy.
