Finding friends when you're new in town

[English Muffin 59]

I’m probably going to make myself sound like a real saddo now but I’m having a lot of trouble finding anyone to play with here.

I moved here on a K1 in January and don’t expect to get my EAD until some time in June. I know that once I’m working I’ll probably meet people through work but right now I really could do with finding a female friend to ‘hang out’ with.

I'm a 41 year old female who's not religious and doesn’t have kids, which seems to rule out the most popular ways of getting to know people. Can anyone suggest any (legal) ways of meeting people?

Thanks in advance.

Gillian

[YuAndDan 153]

Here is a place for you to start: http://britishexpats.com/forum/ (Join and then look here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=112 )

Edited April 15, 2008 by YuAndDan

[English Muffin 59]

Here is a place for you to start: http://britishexpats.com/forum/ (Join and then look here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=112)

Thanks for the suggestion but I just posted exactly the same thread in the 'Trailer Park' over there.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Have a cookout and invite the neighbors.

[*julez* 124]

You could try volunteer work. If you can find something that you'd like to help out with you'd probably find the sort of people you'd like to be friends with.

Or maybe join a book club or toast masters? If you like that sort of thing, of course!

And although I have kids, I have plenty of friends who don't! If you lived near me, I'd pal around with you Gillian!

[English Muffin 59]

You could try volunteer work. If you can find something that you'd like to help out with you'd probably find the sort of people you'd like to be friends with.

Or maybe join a book club or toast masters? If you like that sort of thing, of course!

And although I have kids, I have plenty of friends who don't! If you lived near me, I'd pal around with you Gillian!

Awwwww, thanks Julez.

Someone on another forum has told me about http://www.meetup.com/ which seems pretty interesting. I'm currently working my way through all the stuff that is going on in my area. I think the whole problem will probably resolve itself once I start work but I'm getting sooooo bored on my own here. The first couple of months were fun because I was getting to know the area and doing lots of shopping for our new home etc. but even shopping has started to get boring when I'm doing it by myself!

Gillian

[Peikko 1,575]

Definitely try meetup. There are a lot of 'singles' type activities, but amongst all that there are some really great meetups. I joined a hiking one, a digital photography one and an arts one. All three are really excellent and the hiking one, which I have been a member of for a year and a half, I am also one of the organisers. So, at least try that.

You could also look and see if there are any activities on Craigslist which is how I found out about meetup. Good luck with finding some new friends

[45495 1]

Awwwww, thanks Julez.

Someone on another forum has told me about http://www.meetup.com/ which seems pretty interesting. I'm currently working my way through all the stuff that is going on in my area. I think the whole problem will probably resolve itself once I start work but I'm getting sooooo bored on my own here. The first couple of months were fun because I was getting to know the area and doing lots of shopping for our new home etc. but even shopping has started to get boring when I'm doing it by myself!

Gillian

i was just going to recommend the same website. i havent tried it yet, but it looked great. i'm planning on volunteering and joining some sports club (if i find one i like).

and hey, i'm going to boston too. only in 6 months but still

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

wow, i just played around a little on that website, and its awesome!! lol

[English Muffin 59]

wow, i just played around a little on that website, and its awesome!! lol

It's pretty good isn't it? I think I should be able to find a few things to try out.

[*JG* 2]

First of all, I want to say, it hasn't been all that long. Until you get out and get a job, it's usually how things work. So, hang in there.

You could organinze a VJ gathing of your area. That's a good way to at least meet people who are going though/have gone through the same thing as you.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

I wish I was there to keep you company...

I know Darren will have the same type of problems when he comes over. He's fairly introverted, but he gets along quite well with my friends. I'll have to pass this website along to him, too!!!

[Mags 112]

You could try volunteer work. If you can find something that you'd like to help out with you'd probably find the sort of people you'd like to be friends with.

Or maybe join a book club or toast masters? If you like that sort of thing, of course!

And although I have kids, I have plenty of friends who don't! If you lived near me, I'd pal around with you Gillian!

I didn't really make proper new friends until I started working. It was actually quite amazing in that I know most of the people in this town now - I'll be walking round the store and someone'll say "Hi, Sian!" and so on.

This week I start doing some volunteer work at the local Humane Society (which I got info on through my other job!) and I'm sure I'll meet even more people too.

I really suggest getting a little part time work (if your EAD is through), preferably one where you cross paths with the local community. It might seem a little overwhelming at first (and you will get sick of telling everyone HOW you came to be over here!) but it really is the best way to meet people and put yourself out there.

Good luck!