Meeting seven strangers over an app helped SA newcomer, Karen Grace Prince find her feet in Adelaide

Whether you’re new to a city, or looking for some extra pals – there’s nothing like a new friendship. But finding friends as an adult can be tricky. Here’s how one woman did it.

Let’s face it, finding adult friendships is hard.

Most of my younger friendships were forged around a common setting: High school classes. University group projects. Bible study lessons my parents enrolled me in.

The occasional extrovert who adopted me at a party.

The opportunities were always a plenty and I never had any reason to seek them out.

But when I moved to Adelaide after taking a new job, it was the first time in my life – albeit a shortish one at just 24 – where I didn’t know anyone. Daunted? You bet.

The buzz of a new adventure was enough to keep me company for a few weeks.

Until I got locked out of my house one night. The reality of the situation sunk in: If I went missing one day, not a single soul would have a clue where in Adelaide I could be.

Soon more questions followed – Who will I talk to? How do I get around the city? Who can I go see a movie with? Who do I call if my car breaks down? I don’t even have a licence, let alone a car, but the thoughts were running wild.

When Karen Grace Prince moved to Adelaide for a new job and went about trying to make new friends. Picture: Matt Loxton

And there it was, the new adult dilemma no one really tells you about until you’re in the thick of it. Without a support system of some sort to keep you afloat, there’s only so much you can handle yourself before sinking.

So on a suggestion from a friend, I downloaded Bumble BFF.

It’s a bit like a dating app but instead of looking for love, it connects you with possible friends in your area.

And it seemed like a quick fix to meet new people and explore the city all in one.

I threw in a couple of silly one-liners like “my mum told me not to talk to strangers but I don’t have any friends here to talk to either”, uploaded photos of myself doing all the kinds of activities I’d ideally want to do with a friend – having a giggle over lunch, cafe-hopping, gallery visiting, karaoke nights – and clicked “complete profile”.

And there it was. My new BFF account was now in full swing, matching me with seven possible pals and the friendship dates began.

Karen Grace Prince on a friendship date at Pink Moon Saloon in Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

Each date would have a different activity, but nearly always had a sit-down meal to “suss the vibe”.

The first hour would consist of awkward pauses and tight smiles, followed by a litmus test of questions, such as “What do you do? Oh wow, you’re a graphic designer”.

“What do you do in your spare time? Cool, hiking sounds like fun!”

“What suburb do you live in?”

And without sounding like a broken record, you throw in a couple of fun ones to keep it interesting – “What colour do you think represents you the most? Or “What animal would you ever want to be reborn as?” (Mine’s an elephant).

Then the next hour is the real test, once the small talk is over and the niceties exchanged.

Each date fell along two ends of the spectrum of “is this my new platonic soulmate?” to a night that I’d rather have spent in my PJs watching a re-run of Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Every date felt like a gain, and an opportunity for me to explore Adelaide through good food, fun activities and interesting characters.

Most of all, I found myself feeling more comfortable with rejection and removing myself from situations that I couldn’t people-please my way through. And while I was alone, I never really felt lonely.

Originally published as Meeting seven strangers over an app helped SA newcomer, Karen Grace Prince find her feet in Adelaide