Meeting new people in any city is not the easiest thing to do. We are all so busy taking care of work, school, or family that it’s easy to put socializing on the back burner. But meeting new people is one key component in being happy and healthy. Here are 10 ways to meet new people in Toronto if you’re looking for some fresh faces in your life.
Fun Facts About Toronto for New Torontonians
If you’re new to Toronto, here are some fun facts to help you meet new people.
- Toronto has over 200 neighborhoods and is the biggest city in Canada with a population of almost 3 million people.
- Toronto was named after the Huron word for Lake Simcoe which means “meeting place”.
- Toronto has won more awards for the quality of life than any other major city in North America.
- Toronto is ranked as one of the top cities on the globe for urban sustainability.
- There are over 50,000 Torontonians who cycle regularly.
All this fun information will help you meet new friends! You can even drop some trivia into your conversations with people to help you break the ice.
10 Ways to Meet New People in Toronto
Volunteer
Toronto has plenty of volunteer opportunities. With so many different issues that need help, there are always new causes to support. Volunteering is a great way to meet other people who are passionate about the same issues you are, and it’s also a good way to give back. You can check out Volunteer Canada’s website for full listings on all the volunteering positions available in Toronto.
Take Up A Hobby
When was the last time you picked up something new? Learning an instrument, joining a sports team, or taking up ballroom dancing lessons are just some examples of how meeting new people can happen naturally when you take up a hobby. And if you don’t want to do something alone, most hobbies have community groups or clubs where like-minded people can gather together. Check out Meetup, as they have tons of groups for anything from board games to rock climbing, and everything in between.
Take An Adult Education Class
Adult education classes are a great way to meet new people around your age. Not only will you be able to discuss what you learned after each class, but there’s also the potential for future classes down the road! Classes can vary widely depending on your interests – anything from foreign languages, arts & crafts, music lessons or photography…the list goes on! One of the most popular places to take adult ed courses is at The Learning Annex. This store has hundreds of different courses available any night of the week. Many events are free, while others can be pricey, but it’s still a good way to socialize.
Get Involved in the Local Community
Toronto is home to several unique neighborhoods with diverse cultures and activities. There are tons of volunteer opportunities available for people who want to get involved in the community. If you’re looking to meet new people that share something in common, then this is the perfect place to look.
Go to a Local Music Venue
Live music is alive and well here in Toronto! There are plenty of places where independent artists can play gigs – most likely for free! The Cameron House hosts live music every night of the week – no cover charge! The Horseshoes & Hand Gren pub also does free shows from time to time. For a more official music venue, check out the Mod Club Theater right in downtown Toronto. It’s a smaller, intimate setting for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talents.
Meet Up with People Online
This one might be a bit controversial, but if you’re looking for something more laid back and don’t mind sacrificing the chance to meet someone new face-to-face, then online sites like Meetup might be for you. All of the meetups listed on their site are organized by real people and there’s no guarantee that anyone will show up late. While it might take a couple of tries before finding someone who has similar interests as you, it’s another great way to break out of the norm and perhaps even meet a sugar daddy in Toronto at the same time!
Check Out a Group Run
Group runs are becoming increasingly popular in many cities around the world – it’s an even better way to meet new people when you’re running! Most of them keep things light by only requiring that you have a pair of comfortable shoes and something to drink after. There are plenty of group runs in Toronto that you can check out. The website RunTO is a great place to start.
Take a Cooking Class
Group cooking classes are becoming more popular around the world – it’s also another fun way to meet new people! There are several different classes offered in Toronto, like at Cook Culture where you can learn how to make sushi or Thai food. It’s always helpful when learning something new if you have someone guiding you along the way, and who knows…you might even make some friends!
Go to a Craft Beer Festival
Some of the best things in life come out of a bottle or a barrel! For people who love beer, there are always festivals happening all year round for every type of beer lover. The Toronto Festival of Beer is one such example where you can meet new, like-minded friends and sample some amazing beers from all over the world!
Try an Escape Room
Escape rooms are a great place to get your adrenaline pumping, while also meeting new people. When you’re locked in a room with strangers and have only an hour to escape, it’s amazing how quickly bonds between strangers can form. There are several rooms like this around the city right now – but beware: they get booked quickly during peak hours! If you want to make sure you get in without too much wait time, try booking on the less popular days (Tuesday-Thursday). This way there won’t be the same type of competition for available slots.
Conclusion
Toronto makes it easy for people to meet new, interesting people. With the many festivals, restaurants, and bars in this city, there’s always something going on that you can get involved with. Some of these events are more low-key while some might require more of a financial investment – either way, keep an eye out for local pop-ups or promotions where you might be able to attend for free!