In the city, being independent sounds like a victory. You work on your own schedule, choose your projects, eat when you want, and sleep when you can. But there’s one thing no one warns you about when you choose this path: loneliness can hit hard. And it’s not just about not having someone to watch a movie with on a Tuesday night; it’s that, without realizing it, you go from having colleagues and coworkers to living between silence and screens.
And here you are. In an apartment that’s finally yours (at least on paper), feeling like your freedom should taste better. Spoiler: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to be.
Living alone doesn’t mean being alone.
There’s a huge difference between independence and isolation. You can be completely free without becoming a lone wolf. In fact, many of the most creative, brilliant, and successful people you know (or follow on Instagram) didn’t get far by going solo, but by knowing who to surround themselves with.
And that doesn’t mean forced networking or coffee dates with random people just because “something might come of it.” It’s about real connections. People you can talk to about your ideas without feeling weird. Those who understand your chaotic routine, celebrate your wins, and give you a heads-up when needed. Friends, partners, lovers. Whatever comes up.
1. Start by stepping out of your apartment (even if it’s just into the hallway).
It seems obvious, but it’s the hardest step. When you work from home, the temptation to stay in is strong. The bed is nearby, the coffee is good, and no one’s making you shower. But beware: routine kills the spark.
Stepping out, even if it’s just to breathe or have a coffee on the shared terrace, changes everything. You never know who else decided to step out that day. And sometimes, a casual conversation in the elevator can end in a collaboration or a date.
2. Use your common areas as meeting spots, not just passageways.
If you live in a building with shared spaces, stop seeing them as just passageways. That coworking space isn’t just for answering emails; it’s a neutral ground where everyone is a little vulnerable and, because of that, more open to connecting.
Don’t go to work with headphones on like you’re at the library. Show up with an open mindset. Say hello. Observe. Comment on the coffee, the weather, or whatever’s playing on the speaker. You never know what might spark a conversation.
3. Say yes to events (even if you're feeling lazy).
Sábado en la noche. Ves que en tu edificio hay un evento en la terraza. Piensas: “no conozco a nadie, seguro es medio teto, y tengo una serie pendiente”. Clásico.
But those events are pure gold. Not because of the wine (though that helps), but because they’re full of people like you. People who chose to live alone, who are looking to grow, create, and connect. People with crazy stories, ongoing projects, and open minds. Many of them showed up to that event thinking the same thing you did.
Going to an event in your own building is the social equivalent of showing up to a party in slippers and still making a great impression. It’s easy, comfortable, and can open up a whole new world for you.
4. The golden rule: give first, then ask.
If you’re looking to make meaningful friends or connections, think of it like Tinder: what you offer matters. If you show up with an attitude of “let’s see what I can get,” it’s obvious. And it reeks of desperation.
Instead, if you share something (a recommendation, a playlist, an exhibition tip), if you genuinely show interest in what the other person does, if you’re friendly without trying to impress, you connect.
No one wants a pitch. We all want cool people around us. Be that person.
5. The real-life algorithm.
There’s a magic in living surrounded by people on the same wavelength. When your building has musicians, designers, programmers, artists, and freelancers of all kinds, the real-life algorithm kicks in. Suddenly, the neighbor you had coffee with connects you with someone who’s looking for exactly what you do. The girl you liked is now putting together a collective. And before you know it, you’re in.
It’s not luck. It’s proximity with intention. It’s living in a space that brings together people hungry to grow. Not as competition, but as a network.
6. Make your routine an excuse to connect.
Morning coffee, the gym, lunch break. Anything can be a social moment if you leave a space open. You don't have to be extroverted. Just be available.
Going to the same place at the same time creates patterns. You start seeing the same faces. You start saying hello. You share silences that turn into conversations. And before you know it, you've formed a circle.
7. You don't need a "community" to connect; you need compatible people.
That word is overused. Community. It sounds like a Facebook group with strict rules and intense admins. But in real life, you don't need a formal community. You need an accidental tribe. A group of people who live nearby, share values, and cross paths with you enough to make something happen.
The good news: that tribe already exists. You just have to cross paths with it.
In Urbanista, that already happens
We're not going to tell you we have "the best community" or that our apartments are "the perfect place to live your best life." You've heard that a thousand times before. But we are going to tell you this:
There are buildings where it's normal to meet someone new every week. Where events aren't excuses, but stories. Where people find roommates, start startups, and Tinder users who end up living next door. Where life happens inside, not just outside.
And if you want to know what it's like to live in a place like this, you're just one visit away from finding out.
Meet Urbanista. And connect with more than just an apartment.
Move In. Move Up.
