Pittsburgh Couple Throws Neighborhood Party to Make New Friends

After moving from D.C., they missed their old social circle and decided to host a gathering to connect with their new community.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:33pm

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Three-and-a-half years ago, Kate Oczypok and her husband Brad moved from the Washington, D.C. area to Pittsburgh in search of a lower cost of living. While they were happy to be closer to family, they struggled to make new friends and missed the social life they had in D.C. To combat their loneliness, the couple decided to throw a neighborhood party, inviting everyone on their cul-de-sac. The event was a big success, with 32 people attending and the couple making new connections in their community.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges many people face when moving to a new city and having to rebuild their social circles. It shows how something as simple as hosting a neighborhood party can help newcomers integrate into a community and make meaningful connections.

The details

After moving to Pittsburgh, Oczypok and her husband Brad missed the large group of friends they had accumulated over 20 years in the D.C. area. They decided to throw a holiday party open house on the same night as an annual neighborhood fundraiser, inviting everyone on their cul-de-sac. While they were initially worried no one would show up, they were delighted when 32 people came through their door, including neighbors they barely knew. The party allowed the couple to reconnect with their community and start building new friendships.

  • Three-and-a-half years ago, Oczypok and her husband moved from the Washington, D.C. area to Pittsburgh.
  • Late last year, the couple decided to throw a neighborhood party.

The players

Kate Oczypok

A Pittsburgh resident who moved from the Washington, D.C. area with her husband in search of a lower cost of living.

Brad Oczypok

Kate's husband, who also moved with her from the D.C. area to Pittsburgh.

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What they’re saying

“We reminisced about times we played Cards Against Humanity at 1 a.m., had everyone wearing a ridiculous turkey hat at dinner, and more.”

— Kate Oczypok

“Luckily, it worked, and we hope to have more parties this coming year. As the saying I learned in Girl Scouts goes, 'Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold.'”

— Kate Oczypok

What’s next

The Oczypoks plan to continue hosting neighborhood parties in the coming year to build more connections in their new community.

The takeaway

This story shows how something as simple as throwing a party can help newcomers to a city overcome loneliness and integrate into their local community, making new friends while also maintaining connections to their old social circles.