Expat Communities: How to Find and Join Them

Expat communities exist in almost every city in the world — and knowing how to find and join them can dramatically accelerate your transition to life in a new country. This guide covers the main types of expat communities, where to find them, and how to get the most out of them.

Types of Expat Communities

Not all expat communities are the same, and different types serve different needs:

• National communities: Groups organised around shared home country — the "French in London" community, the "Brazilians in Berlin" group. These offer cultural familiarity, shared language, and immediate common ground. They can also become insular if they are your only social network.
• Professional expat communities: Networks organised around shared industry or profession in an international context. Useful for career development and professional connection.
• Lifestyle expat communities: Groups for digital nomads, remote workers, or expats with specific interests. Often very active in cities with large international populations.
• General expat networks: Organisations like Internations that bring together expats of all nationalities in one city. These are particularly useful in the early months for meeting people quickly.

Where to Find Expat Communities

The main platforms and channels:

• Internations.org: One of the most established expat networks globally, with chapters in 420+ cities. Events range from casual brunches to professional networking.
• Meetup.com: Search for expat groups, language exchanges, and interest groups. New immigrants are consistently welcomed at these events.
• Facebook Groups: Search "[your nationality] in [city]" or "expats in [city]". These groups are usually active with both social events and practical advice.
• Reddit: City subreddits (r/berlin, r/london, r/toronto) and r/expats are excellent for practical questions and finding local events.
• Your employer or university: Many large employers and universities have international staff or student associations that organise social events.

Getting the Most Out of Expat Communities

Simply joining a group is not enough. To genuinely benefit from expat community, attend events consistently rather than sporadically, volunteer to help organise events (this immediately makes you known and trusted), and use the community as a bridge to local life rather than a substitute for it. The goal is to feel at home in your new city, not just comfortable in a bubble of foreigners.

Building Lasting Friendships Within the Expat World

One challenge of expat communities is the transience — people move on, move back, or move elsewhere. This means friendships in expat circles sometimes feel less stable than those with local people who are committed to staying. Build a mixed social network: some expat friends who understand your specific experience, and some local friends who anchor you to your new home. Both are valuable, and they serve different needs.