When I first moved to Rome, the internet was still a clunky dial-up affair. Web 2.0 hadn’t happened yet, Facebook wasn’t a thing, and there was no such thing as a smartphone – let alone a WhatsApp group. If you wanted to meet people, you had to do it the old-fashioned way: by putting yourself out there, striking up conversations, and hoping for the best. Work helped, too: my fellow TEFL teachers and I kept each other sane as we tried to make sense of Italian bureaucracy, bus timetables, and how to order a coffee without sounding hopelessly foreign.
Fast-forward to now, and things couldn’t be more different. You can arrive in Rome on Monday and have a full social calendar by Friday. The internet has made community-building so much easier: wherever your interests lie, there’s a group out there that’s right for you – and a chance to build meaningful friendships.
Business Networking
If you’re in Rome for work or entrepreneurship, professional communities are a great starting point. Groups like the International Business Chamber and the Professional Women’s Association of Rome blend both professional and social networking, with events, panels and workshops – a perfect way to grow professionally while meeting like-minded internationals. I recently joined the Professional Women’s Association myself, which has opened up a whole new circle of inspiring, supportive women and sparked some promising new collaborations and friendships.
Social Networking
Sometimes you’re just looking for people to share life with. Maybe you’d like to go for aperitivo, explore the city, or vent about your latest run-in with Italian bureaucracy. Social groups like Expats Living in Rome, Internations Rome, and (for women) Girl Gone International Rome make it easy to connect with others who are also navigating life abroad.
Connecting Online
Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, Bumble BFF and platforms like Meetup have made it easier than ever to find your community. Whether you’re looking for language exchanges, a walking group or a book club, a quick search will usually turn up a group that fits.
Online communities can also be a great place to receive tips on everyday living in Rome – from how to set up your utilities to where to find the best local produce or hairdresser. And once you’ve found your feet, you’ll have plenty of your own personal tips and experiences to share in return.
Connecting with Italians
Hobbies
If you want to connect more with locals, hobbies are a great way in. Join a local running or tennis club, a choir or a knitting circle: whatever floats your boat. Shared activities break down barriers faster than small talk can – and as a bonus, your conversational Italian will improve dramatically.
The School Gate
If you have kids, you’ve got a head start. Chatting with other parents, attending birthday parties and joining school events often leads to real friendships – the kind that make Rome feel like home.
Volunteering
Another way of meeting locals outside the workplace is through a voluntary activity. You could try reaching out to a local branch of your favourite cause, or check out Roma Altruista to see who’s looking for help. Making meaningful connections is easier when you’re with like-minded people working towards the same goal.
Having said all that, making Italian friends – especially Roman ones – can still be tricky. It’s not that Romans are unfriendly: they’re just… set. Many have close-knit social circles that go back to university or even childhood. Breaking into them isn’t easy, however fluent your Italian might be. It’s not about you being foreign; it’s just the Roman way. In fact, Italians from other parts of the country often have the same problem.
So you might find that most of your social life revolves around other expats, at least for a while – and that’s okay. Expat friendships can run deep, built as they are on shared experiences and mutual understanding.
Building a community in Rome takes time, but the reward is huge. It’s the moment when you stop feeling like an outsider, when the city starts to feel familiar and welcoming. When the cafés, piazzas, and neighbourhood streets feel like part of your life, and not just a backdrop. That’s when you realise you’re not just living in Rome: you’re starting to feel like a real Roman.
If you’re still at the start of your Roman journey and haven’t yet found a place to call home, don’t worry: that’s where I come in. I can help you in your property search so you can focus on the fun part: building your new life here. Book your free consultation today.