How to make friends in Austin
Plenty of people move to Austin and find that the friendly city is still hard to make friends in. Work is remote, everyone's schedule is different, and "we should hang out" rarely turns into a plan. The easiest friendships start with something you'd do anyway, done together.
Start with an activity, not a conversation
It's easier to meet someone over a game, a walk or a meal than over small talk. On nCommon you post what you want to do ("Coffee on South Congress Saturday morning", "Walk the Lady Bird Lake trail after work") and people nearby who'd like to do the same ask to join.
Small and low-pressure
Choose one other person or a small group. The host approves who joins before the chat opens, and plans happen in public places. If it was fun, it's easy to do it again with the same people. That's how acquaintances turn into friends.
Easy first plans in Austin
- A walk or run on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake.
- A swim at Barton Springs Pool, or an afternoon in Zilker Park.
- Coffee or tacos somewhere you've been meaning to try.
- Pickleball, golf, bowling, watching the game, live music: whatever you're into.
Friendship, not dating
nCommon is for meeting people to do things with. Plans are about the activity, and everyone's there for the same reason.
How nCommon works
- Post a plan for now or later: what you're doing, roughly where, and whether you want one other person or a small group.
- Or join one. Plans near you show on a map and in a list. Ask to join, and the host says yes before the chat opens.
- Public places only. A plan shows a venue or an area, never anyone's home address.
- For friendship, not dating. It's about the thing you want to do and the people who want to do it too.
nCommon opens in Austin in January 2027
Free on iPhone and Android. Join the launch list and we'll email you the day it opens.
Join the Austin launch list