How I made friends after moving from a small town to a big city

My family moved from Bright, a country town of fewer than 3,000 people, to the Gold Coast, a city of close to 740,000. Leaving the easy, familiar network of friends you meet through school and work was a shock, and my husband and I only had a handful of acquaintances from when we lived here 15 years earlier.

Still, within a few months I managed to build a new, varied circle of friends. I make a point of talking to strangers and asking about their lives. Striking up conversations with gymnastics mums, parents at the playground and book lovers at the library has led to exchanged numbers and repeat meet-ups.

Those brief encounters have turned into genuine friendships. I also try to say yes more often and to schedule catch-ups well in advance. That has meant accepting last-minute invitations — a high tea birthday I chose over work and an early-morning hike I might otherwise have skipped — and sending invites four to six weeks ahead, because city life is busier than the country.

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