Singapore has been named as the place with the best community spirit in Asia

Finding the right place to live and work is one of the most important parts of moving to a new city, but it’s equally important to find a community of friends who share similar interests and passions. With this in mind, Remitly has used Meetup data to discover which towns and cities in Asia and around the world have the highest number of Meetup groups available per person.

Singapore tops the list for Asia, ahead of Hong Kong, Toyko and Taipei, with nearly 10 Meetup groups available per 10,000 residents and a vast range of options from dog lover communities to meditation groups.

The top Asian cities with the most community spirit

Settling in Singapore
Remitly, a leading digital financial services provider for immigrants and their families, conducted a data study that reveals the Northwestern US city of Seattle is the number one city to find a like-minded community group, with the most Meetup groups per person of any major city.

With international migration standing at a historical high, one of the most important things for people to be able to settle in a new city is finding a community of people with similar interests.

Taking this into account, Remitly analysed data from the popular social media app Meetup to discover which cities have the highest number of communities per person. This was revealed by counting the amount of available Meetup groups within the city and surrounding area, and accounting for population size.

The coastal city of Seattle, nestled in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States has long been a popular place to relocate, thanks to its vibrant culture, varied cuisine, and easy access to the great outdoors.

Remitly’s study shows that the ‘Seattle Freeze’, the name given to the city for its reputation as being a difficult place to make friends, may be thawing. With 1,774 listed Meetup groups in the city ranging from art and culture, to health and wellbeing, Seattle might just be the best place to forge new and meaningful friendships.

The Swiss city of Zurich topped the European rankings ahead of Dublin and Barcelona, whilst Wellington’s laidback lifestyle proved the best place for community spirit in Oceania. Singapore is the number one place to meet new friends in Asia, Buenos Aires was top for Argentina and the port city of Cape Town ranked ahead of Johannesburg and Pretoria as the top community-minded city in Africa.

Global cities with the most Meetup groups per person:

With its abundance of job opportunities, waterfront location, temperate climate, and easy access to the great outdoors, it’s clear why Seattle is a popular place to move to. Known affectionately as the ‘Emerald City’ for the lush greenery that surrounds it, the Meetup groups in Seattle are rich and varied, whether you’re looking to connect with fellow tech lovers, find a new sports team to play for, or to explore your artistic side with fellow creatives.

Asian cities with the most Meetup groups per person

With an astounding 1.4 million foreign workers employed in Singapore as of December 2022⁵, the city is clearly a destination for expats. For those trying to get settled in their new life, Singapore offers a vibrant array of diverse communities and clubs for immigrants to engage with, ranking as the Asian city with the most Meetup groups per person. The city boasts an impressive roster of over 1,000 Meetup groups, amounting to nearly two groups for every 10,000 residents.

Bengaluru/Bangalore emerges as a close second to Singapore in terms of being an inviting city for cultivating new friendships. Individuals relocating to Bengaluru are offered access to an impressive array of 448 Meetup groups, spanning various interests, including book clubs and sports teams.

Wrapping up the roster of the top five community-focused cities in Asia are Hong Kong, alongside the Japanese urban hubs of Osaka and Tokyo. Each of these locations provides an abundance of chances to connect with kindred spirits and foster meaningful friendships within their respective communities.

Jago McKenzie, Business Management Director at Remitly commented: “Alongside finding the right place to work and live, establishing a community of friends who share similar interests is one of the most important aspects of moving to a new city. A strong sense of community can increase your sense of belonging and purpose, and prevent any feelings of isolation and loneliness that can be common when moving somewhere new.

“Community groups and meetups are not new but the way we access them has changed drastically in the social media age, using platforms such as Meetup is a brilliant way to find the best groups for you to connect with quickly and easily. Seattle topping our study was a surprise given its ‘Seattle Freeze’ reputation, but it’s a fantastic and popular place to relocate to, with many new and well-established groups across a variety of different interests. Anyone moving to the city will have an abundance of options to meet like-minded individuals who share the same hobbies and passions.”