The Hidden Challenge of Expat & Nomad Life
Moving abroad sounds like freedom – tropical beaches, new cuisines, and endless adventure.
But for many expats and digital nomads, the biggest challenge isn’t visas or Wi-Fi – it’s loneliness. How to make friends is therefore a huge issue for expats and nomads.
According to 2025 discussions across major nomad communities like Reddit’s r/digitalnomad and Facebook’s “Digital Nomads Around the World,” over 45% of remote workers feel lonely on a regular basis. Constant movement means constantly rebuilding your social circle. So how do you stay connected and build a real community while living everywhere – and nowhere?
Let’s explore practical ways to meet people, plus five true-to-life nomad stories that prove there’s no single “right way” to find your tribe.
1. Where the Magic Happens: How Nomads Meet
🧑💻 Coworking Spaces & Coliving Hubs
These are the social engines of the modern nomad world.
Spaces like Selina, Outsite, and Dojo Bali organise networking lunches, community dinners, and beach cleanups – perfect for meeting others naturally.
Pro tip: Even if you prefer working alone, attend the weekly events. One coffee chat might turn into a new travel buddy or business collaboration.
🎉 Meetup Apps & Local Groups
Apps like Meetup, Internations, and Couchsurfing Hangouts are global tools to find local meetups – everything from salsa nights in Medellín to hiking in Chiang Mai.
Search “digital nomad,” “expat,” or your hobby (“yoga,” “crypto,” “photography”) to find like-minded people instantly.
Real-world example:
In Bali, many nomads say “just show up” at the popular cafes (like Crate or Yellow in Canggu) – conversations start naturally over laptop stickers and flat whites.
💬 Facebook & WhatsApp Groups
Each city has an expat hub online – “Bangkok Digital Nomads,” “Lisbon Expats,” “Medellín Entrepreneurs”.
Join them before you land. Introduce yourself (“Hey, arriving next week – anyone up for coffee?”). These groups often have daily posts organising meetups, rentals, or language exchanges.
💞 Shared Interests & Classes
Want to skip small talk? Join through passion.
- Take a local dance or cooking class.
- Join a running club or CrossFit box.
- Volunteer or join language exchange nights.
Shared activity = instant connection.
🌐 Nomad Travel Programs
If you struggle to meet people on your own, group travel programs like WiFi Tribe, Remote Year, or Hacker Paradise offer a built-in community.
You move between destinations together – working remotely by day, exploring by night.
For many introverts, this structure helps ease the “where do I start?” anxiety.
2. Five Real Nomad Stories on How to Make Friends
1. The Introvert – Yuki from Japan, Designer in Portugal
Yuki was terrified of networking. She loved her solo freelance work but felt isolated after months in Lisbon.
Her breakthrough came when she started attending small “Coworking Breakfasts” hosted by Lisbon Digital Nomads group.
She found that structured, low-pressure meetups (coffee mornings, art classes, book clubs) fit her better than big parties.
Now she co-hosts minimalist design workshops – attracting other quiet creatives.
Her tip: “Start with one person at a time. Friendship compounds.”
2. The Clubber – André from Brazil, Event Photographer in Bali
André thrives on energy. His first month in Bali was pure nightlife – La Favela, Shishi, you name it.
But he realised that party friendships fade fast.
Switching tactics, he began photographing events and meetups – combining work and socialising.
That turned acquaintances into clients and collaborators.
His advice: “The dance floor is fun, but purpose keeps you connected.”
3. The Retired Couple – George & Susan from Canada, Living in Mexico
After retiring early, they sold their home and moved to Playa del Carmen.
At first, they felt out of place among 20-something nomads. But they discovered Facebook groups for “Retired Expats in Mexico” and joined Spanish and cooking classes together.
They now host a weekly “Sunday Potluck for Expats,” mixing retirees, remote workers, and locals.
George says: “Community isn’t about age – it’s about showing up consistently.”
4. The Gay Marketer – Max from Ukraine, Working Remotely from Medellín
Max arrived in Medellín excited but cautious – Latin America’s energy was intoxicating, yet he worried about fitting in as a gay expat.
He started with language exchanges and LGBTQ+ events at coworking spaces. Then he discovered the Queer Nomads Network on Telegram.
That group became his lifeline – new friends, travel tips, and even collaborations.
His takeaway: “You don’t have to hide parts of yourself – your tribe exists, even if it takes a few meetups to find it.”
5. The Struggling Programmer – Leo from Poland, Battling Loneliness in Thailand
Leo had it all – remote job, tropical apartment, perfect freedom. Yet he was drinking daily, using bars as his only social outlet.
One night he attended a sober social meetup organised by Nomads Without Booze in Chiang Mai.
It changed his life. He found friends who enjoyed hiking, gaming nights, and coworking sessions – no alcohol needed.
Now he runs a local support group for sober nomads. Leo’s words: “The problem wasn’t the city – it was how I was trying to fill the void.”
3. Tips That Actually Work
✅ Say yes early. The first week in a new place sets the tone – go to everything.
✅ Be consistent. Join recurring events (language exchanges, fitness classes). Familiarity builds connection.
✅ Balance social types. Mix expats and locals to avoid the “nomad bubble.”
✅ Host your own meetup. Even two people at a café count – it snowballs.
✅ Be authentic. Don’t chase numbers – focus on genuine friendships, not Instagram photos.
4. The Bigger Picture: Community Is the Real Currency
Every nomad eventually learns: freedom feels empty without belonging.
You can have ten passports and still crave “your people.” But communities – both offline and online – exist for every personality and interest. That’s how to make friends in any corner of the world.
Whether you’re dancing bachata in Colombia, hiking sober in Chiang Mai, or coding quietly in Tbilisi, connection comes from participation.
“The secret isn’t finding your tribe – it’s letting your tribe find you by showing up.”
