LIFELONG LEARNING

Top Five Apps To Find Community

Maintaining adult friendships and socializing with others offers a significant health benefit as we age. Having a community can decrease the risk of dementia, heart disease, strokes and more, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

While it is easy to list the ways that having a community can improve our lives, for many it can be far more difficult to actually find the right community later in life. Luckily, there are now hundreds of new apps and websites designed specifically to create real-world relationships and foster new friendships. Here are five of our favorite apps and sites to find community:

Nextdoor

There may not be an easier way to find common ground with others than by literally having your homes on “common ground." Nextdooris an app that connects neighbors who live in the same area, functioning as a social platform to share news, tips, photos and live events to meet up with those who live around you.

CitySocializer

You can find a community of people who are into wellness, learning, fitness, creative events and workshops in your area using CitySocializer. Set your preferences for the types of events you want to be alerted about, or better yet, sign up as a host and create your own event and start your own community!

BarkHappy

What better way to make new friends than by bringing along man’s best friend? BarkHappy is an app that connects dog owners to meet at dog-friendly locations and events to get outside and make new relationships. With a slogan like “Meet new friends. Go more places. Be happy,” it’s clear that both you and Fido will benefit from a social meet up.

Peanut

There now are many apps that are designed specifically with women in mind. Peanut is a safe space for women to find support with others who are going through specific life stages such as fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. They aim to “provide access to a community who are there to listen, share information and offer valuable advice.”

Hobify

Hone in on the community that fits your specific passions and hobbies with Hobify. This app seeks to help you “meet new friends who share your interests, because your neighbors are full of talent!” While sorting by the activities you enjoy most, such as yoga, drawing, visiting museums, sports and more, you’ll be connected to live events in your area where you can meet others who share your passions. Plus, Hobify can connect these communities with talented paid professionals to lead classes and demonstrations in the things they love most!