Moving to a new city is exciting. New opportunities and fresh experiences. But there’s one challenge that often gets overlooked: making friends.
That’s exactly what I faced when our family packed up and moved to a new place. Suddenly, I found myself without the deep-rooted friendships we had back home. No go-to people for weekend hangouts, no casual meetups to watch the game, no spontaneous late-night conversations.
I quickly realized that making new friends as an adult isn’t as easy as it once was. In today’s digital and social media-driven world, it can be even harder. Many interactions have shifted online, making real-life connections feel less organic and more difficult to establish. When you’re a kid, friendships form naturally in school or through activities. In college, social opportunities are built into the experience. But as an adult guy, where do you go to meet new people outside of work (if you even have in person coworkers) or the occasional gym small talk?
The truth is, meaningful friendships are a critical part of a happy and healthy life. Research shows that strong social connections contribute to better mental health, lower stress, and even increased longevity. Friendships provide support, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging—things that are just as important for men as they are for anyone else.
As I reflected on my experience, I realized that many others face this challenge too—and not just because they’ve moved to a new city. Some guys drift apart from old friends due to life changes like career shifts, relationships, or family responsibilities. Others may have always struggled to form deep connections and just never had the right opportunities. And yet other guys can be very social but want even more opportunities to foster new friendships.
After discussing these shared realizations with my would be cofounders, we asked ourselves: How can we make this easier? How can we help guys find real, lasting friendships without the awkwardness or uncertainty?
That’s what led to the creation of The Deli. We wanted to build a platform designed specifically to help men connect, bond, and build real friendships. We connect groups of guys who live near each other, have similar interests, and are in the same age range. We’ve based this approach on research and user feedback on what works best. We’re on a mission to make forming connections effortless and natural.
We know firsthand how challenging it can be to create new friendships in real life. But we also know how rewarding it is to find a strong circle of friends. That’s why we’re committed to making this process better—for us, and for every guy out there looking for genuine friendships.
If you’ve ever struggled to make new friends or wished there was an easier way, you’re not alone. And we’re here to change that.
Let’s make new friends together.
– The Deli Cofounders