The pandemic changed so much about our daily lives, and our friendships are no exception. Not only were we unable to see our friends in person for many months, many of our BFFs may have moved to a new city or state. And even though we’ve always got FaceTime and phone calls as a way to reconnect, virtual meetings just aren’t the same as a good old fashioned face-to-face dinner or brunch. Or, perhaps you’ve transitioned to a new life stage – like motherhood or retirement – and it’s been a challenge to find common ground with some of your older friends. In other words, if you’ve been feeling lately like your community of women is ever-shrinking, you’re not alone. But the good news is there are countless ways to meet women who share your interests, who live in your city. Here’s a look at a few of our favorite apps that will help you make new connections and create new long-lasting friendships.
Bumble BFF
You may recognize Bumble as a dating app where women make the first move, but they’ve also created a friendship-only version that helps ladies meet new pals. Much like the romantic version, you set up a profile about your interests and hobbies, and then you can swipe right and left on women who live in your area.
Peanut
From the moment you see the positive sign on a pregnancy test, your world feels as if it’s been flipped upside down. And as you get closer to birth, you have endless questions that only fellow mamas can answer. The same is true for each stage of raising a kid – from infant days to toddler and teenagers. That’s why Peanut was created: to provide a place for mothers to connect on fertility, pregnancy, menopause, motherhood, and more. You can match with friends, join groups, ask questions – and even listen to live podcasts with experts.
Nextdoor
While it may be exciting to meet women from all over the world, you could be hitting your limit on virtual exchanges. If you crave the connection of those in your neighborhood, consider downloading Nextdoor. Here, you’ll be connected to your neighbors based on your home’s address. You can meet friends, get involved in the local community, attend events, ask for recommendations – and so much more.
Hey! Vina
This app describes itself as the ‘Tinder for (Girl) Friends,’ and it truly lives up to its name. It’s all about finding women on the same page and looking for a support system in their area. It’s also a fun experience: you can take personality quizzes to help you find your right friend match or swipe through profiles on your own.
Meetup
While Meetup isn’t specifically for finding new friends, it is one 
of the most diverse – and oldest! – apps for local events. There’s something for everyone here, from wine fans and dog lovers to crafters and skiers. The goal is to seek people who share your hobbies and interests, attend an in-person (or virtual) event, and get your friendship budding. You can also create your own event, make a group of people you’ve met, so you don’t forget their names, direct message folks, and more.
Friended
If you’re still feeling unsteady about in-person exchanges, but you want to expand your community, Friended could be the best middle ground. With this app, you start by sharing a short message (they call an ‘icebreaker’), and then you wait for responses. The hope is you’ll find those like-minded, cultivating new friendships. Additionally, you can play games with other users, take personality quizzes and more.
Meet My Dog
If you’re a dog mom, you know how big of a role your dog plays in your life. And, another pup parent would definitely relate. With this app, you not only create a profile about yourself but about your fur baby, too. You will connect with other doggo parents in the area, allowing you to set up playdates, hikes and other opportunities to connect in person. Plus, if you need a recommendation for a groomer, vet or dog walker, you’ll find this app’s newsfeed invaluable.
