Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Has anyone had success with Meet Ups?

17 replies

Feadsisbanging · 24/07/2026 10:41

I’m in London, single (47) and as my daughter gets older and doesn’t need me so much I’m looking to broaden my friendship group as I’ve started to get quite lonely.

People on here talk about Meet Up a lot but when I look it’s quite confusing. Firstly it’s pretty expensive if you want to sign up to see who’s attending (£10 a week!), secondly a lot of the events seems to have just 1 attendee or they have very few.

Anyone had success with using it, as I’m not envisaging turning up to events and it’s me and some weirdo…

How do I weed out actual decent meet ups?

OP posts:
Justanopinionnothingmore · 24/07/2026 10:44

I didn't realise meets ups cost! Have you tried free groups on facebook?

Needtoughlove · 24/07/2026 10:48

MN used to have a meet up section. I met my best friend through it in 2004. Maybe they could bring it back.

Redflagsabounded · 24/07/2026 11:01

Yes, I use it, but don't bother with the subscription - it isn't necessary.

It's about finding a group that's active with plenty of members and events. There must be loads in London?

I go out once or twice a month with the group I belong to, and there's also smaller groups formed from that that do stuff now and then. In the next couple of weeks, I'll be going for a curry and a day at the beach.

Some groups are absolutely dead though.

VideoVox · 24/07/2026 12:05

I used to do a lot of Meet Up groups, it is really hit and miss. Some are great, some cliquey and some downright obnoxious (a memorable book group I went to where it was just me, another newcomer, and 2 regulars who scrolled on their phones whenever a newcomer spoke).

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 24/07/2026 12:24

Hit and miss imo. Ok sometimes.

I’ve just tried to join up and it seems their rules have changed, you get a free week trial then £9.99 per month.

Original poster
Feadsisbanging · 24/07/2026 12:41

VideoVox · 24/07/2026 12:05

I used to do a lot of Meet Up groups, it is really hit and miss. Some are great, some cliquey and some downright obnoxious (a memorable book group I went to where it was just me, another newcomer, and 2 regulars who scrolled on their phones whenever a newcomer spoke).

It’s £9.99 per week!!!

sorry wrong poster, meant to respond to @Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 24/07/2026 12:54

Feadsisbanging · 24/07/2026 12:41

It’s £9.99 per week!!!

sorry wrong poster, meant to respond to @Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain

Edited
Show quote history

You’re right! I’m not paying that.

Redflagsabounded · Yesterday 08:29

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain @Feadsisbanging

No it isn't. It's free to join to attend groups. The paid membership is for being a group organiser.

Original poster
Feadsisbanging · Yesterday 19:55

Redflagsabounded · Yesterday 08:29

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain @Feadsisbanging

No it isn't. It's free to join to attend groups. The paid membership is for being a group organiser.

Incorrect

OP posts:
Squirrelintree · Yesterday 20:09

MeetUp is free to attend events but the website makes that unclear. You have to specifically click that you don't want to subscribe now. They have more than doubled the subscription costs for organisers so a lot of non-profitmaking events have disappeared. In my area, a few groups are paid for by well-off people who are prepared to pay to keep the groups going which is really decent of them. I met one of my best friends through a MeetUp group and I regularly attend a group that has now left meetup due to the cost but meetUp is massively fading as people are put off by the grabby monitisation. I would suggest finding a group based on your interests by searching online more generally.

Specialneedsnightmare · Yesterday 20:13

You don't have to pay. I've attended online meets through the site and never paid anything.

KitsyWitsy · Yesterday 20:13

I’m a meetup host. You don’t need the sub to join groups or attend events. It just gives some perks.

cloudtreecarpet · Yesterday 20:14

I am also in London, in my 50s so a bit older than you, & I find it's not a great place for the middle aged when it comes to finding ways to meet people.

There are things for young parents, for millennial age groups & some things for seniors but people our kind of age seem to be missed out.

And things like choirs etc are quite expensive.
I more wanted a social meet up thing though.

Maybe it's just me . I haven't looked for a while, kind of gave up.

cloudtreecarpet · Yesterday 20:14

Ps if you find anything good, do post it on here!

Redflagsabounded · Today 03:05

@Feadsisbanging from their own website

Meetup is free.
Meetup+ is not. It gives you a few extra features, but I don't know anyone who pays for this.

Has anyone had success with Meet Ups?
garlictwist · Today 04:16

I used to be in a few groups about 20 years ago. It was fun and I met a lot of people. There were a few predatory single blokes you had to be wary of (this was in a hiking group, they had ulterior motives) but largely people were nice and genuine and it was a good way of building a bit of a community.

twocornichons · Today 04:20

I’m slightly older and all my kids have left so needed to do the same but wouldn’t pay for meet ups so ended up going to a wide variety of Pilates clasesss across town to find my new favourite and met lots of new people - it’s like speed dating for friends love it and I’ve met lots of new people. You get an hour to sense what someone is like and they about you which is perfect. I’m also going to keep doing this with other events through event brite

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread