IN OTHER NEWS – A new study finds that Atlanta ranks as the second best city for friendships in the United States.

Release:

With National Friendship Day coming up on August 3rd, it’s the perfect opportunity for those looking to get out and make some new friends! But, which U.S. city stands out as the best place to connect and socialize?

To answer this question, the team at Compare the Market carried out a new study to reveal the most social cities in the U.S.

And, Atlanta ranks #2 with a total social score of 74.98 out of 100!

Here are some of Atlanta’s best stats from the study:

• The city has an impressive 137 meetup events per 100,000 people – great for meeting new friends.
• In Atlanta, there are 29 bars and coffee shops per 100,000 people – it’s a perfect city for hanging out.
• Residents of the city make 353.77 online searches for friendship apps, for every 100,000 people.

You can find all the details below, or onsite at: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/health-insurance/features/worlds-most-social-cities/

• New research by Compare The Market has revealed the best cities in the world for socializing. 
• In the US, Minneapolis has ranked first followed by Atlanta and Portland
• Compare the Market AU also share tips on how people can improve their social life and its health and wellness benefits.

We also share tips on how people can improve their social life and its health and wellness benefits. Moving to a new city is full of excitement but can come with challenges, especially when meeting new people and building connections. Socializing is proven to enhance mental well-being, reduce health risks like dementia, and even strengthen the immune system¹ – making it a perfect excuse for extroverts.

To make this transition easier, Compare The Market has identified the world’s most social cities, analyzing factors such as inclusiveness ratings, the number of meet-up groups and social hubs, and the popularity of friendship apps.

Here are the top U.S. cities where social butterflies can truly thrive: 

Rank	City	States	Inclusiveness Index Ranking	Meetup Events, per 100,000 people	Number of bars & coffee shops, per 100,000 people	Searches for friendship apps, per 100,000 people	Total Score (Max 100)
1	Minneapolis	Minnesota	58.05	155	23	347.02	77.49
2	Atlanta	Georgia	54.53	137	29	353.77	74.98
3	Portland	Oregon	55.94	113	41	224.76	71.59
4	Las Vegas	Nevada	66.19	43	36	235.86	69.29
5	Seattle	Washington	57.18	85	39	250.03	68.81
6	Miami	Florida	54.86	90	29	343.26	66.67
7	San Francisco	California	56.4	92	37	186.44	63.13
8	Boston	Massachusetts	49.5	123	36	201.32	60.8
9	Baltimore	Maryland	64.98	58	16	271.78	58.9
10	Denver	Colorado	58.98	102	19	228.98	58.42

Minneapolis tops the list as the most social city in the U.S., excelling in meet-up group availability and ranking second for friendship app searches. With a high score of 77.49, it’s one of the most social cities globally.

In second position, we have Atlanta, which surpasses Minneapolis in friendship app search volume and offers an above-average number of coffee shops and bars for socializing. With a score of 74.98, it ranks as one of the top U.S. cities for building connections.

Portland ranks third among U.S. cities for socializing, boasting the highest number of bars and coffee shops per 100,000 people and placing in the top 5 for meet-up groups. With a score of 71.59, it’s a prime social hub on the West Coast.

Tips for improving social life if you’ve moved to a new area 

• Sign up for classes and groups: Join local meetups or classes to connect with people over shared interests and expand your social circle.
• Invite contacts for coffee: Invite someone for a coffee to get to know them better or ask for introductions to grow your friend group.
• Cut down on screen time and gaming: Swap some screen time for in-person social events to better integrate into your community.
• Seek help if you feel anxious: If social anxiety holds you back, seek support from trusted friends or professionals to build confidence.
• Don’t turn down invitations: Say yes to more social invitations to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people.

Compare the Market AU’s Executive General Manager of Health Insurance, Steven Spicer says: “Moving to a new city can feel daunting, especially when you’re starting from scratch and making new friends seems more like a chore than an exciting opportunity. However, building these connections is essential for our well-being. We hope our list of the most sociable cities helps those who love to socialize choose the perfect place to call home.”

“Additionally, if you’re looking to take better care of yourself, you can browse the health insurance offers to make the most of your wellbeing journey.”