New research by Compare The Market has revealed the best cities in the world for socializing. Omaha ranks 20th in the United States.
The study analyzed factors such as inclusiveness ratings, the number of meet-up groups and social hubs, and the popularity of friendship apps. “Social hubs” include pubs and coffee shops.
Omaha has 16 meetup events per 100,000 people, which makes the city great for meeting new friends. In Omaha, there are 15 bars and coffee shops per 100,000 people. Omahans make 212.41 online searches for friendship apps, for every 100,000 people.
Minneapolis tops the list as the most social city in the United States, excelling in meet-up group availability and ranking second for friendship app searches. It is also one of the most social cities globally.
After Minneapolis, the rest of the top five included #2 Atlanta, #3 Portland, #4 Las Vegas and #5 Seattle. Other top-20 cities in our region included #10 Denver, #13 Colorado Springs and #18 Milwaukee.
“Moving to a new city can feel daunting, especially when you’re starting from scratch and making new friends seems more like a chore than an exciting opportunity,” said Steven Spicer, executive general manager of health insurance for Compare The Market. “However, building these connections is essential for our well-being. We hope our list of the most sociable cities helps those who love to socialize choose the perfect place to call home.”
For those of you who are new to the Omaha area, you might want to consider the study authors’ advice for improving your social life if you’ve moved to a new area:
Sign up for classes and groups: Join local meetups or classes to connect with people over shared interests and expand your social circle.
Invite contacts for coffee: Invite someone for a coffee to get to know them better or ask for introductions to grow your friend group.
Cut down on screen time and gaming: Swap some screen time for in-person social events to better integrate into your community.
Seek help if you feel anxious: If social anxiety holds you back, seek support from trusted friends or professionals to build confidence.
Don’t turn down invitations: Say yes to more social invitations to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people.
Photo above by Brad Williams
