How to make friends when you have none

[FourteenCows]

I moved to West Sussex two years ago with my husband, and while he is great, I miss having a female friend!

I’m stuck, because my job is lone working, there are no clubs here that I can join as they are aimed at older people or things that don’t interest me or I can’t afford them. All the Meetup groups around here involve drinking and I don’t drink, or like going to the pub.. I’m starting to feel quite isolated as it seems there’s no one around here that is similar to me, and likes the things I like how do I find them?

In case it’s relevant, I’m 29

See if they have a young branch of the WI nearby.
Evening classes
Book club
Stitch and bitch group.
Good gym
Park run (if you don't want to run you can be a steward)

I used to wfh and remember the isolation.

Could you start your own Meetup group with something you enjoy doing. Obviously I don't know your interests but it could be a 'do you like coffee and books - then meet in Costa and bring a book to swap ' type thing. Groups like the WI do groups especially for 'younger' women.

Hiya! I spend part of my time in one of the big towns in West Sussex. There were nice knit and natter groups at the craft shop the last time I looked, good little cafes that are welcoming, and some cafes/ bookshops have poster boards advertising short classes / activities which might appeal to you. 2 years isn’t long to spend in a new place, but I get that it can be isolating if you don’t work with people. After leaving West Sussex I was very fortunate to have been greeted by a neighbour near my new home and we get on tremendously well... that’s down to serendipity! Good luck!

The WI is a good idea, I’ll look into that, thank you

I can’t find any local groups that do crafting, the craft shop in town closed down and I’ve not found anything similar. Or a book club! There is a park run in my local park

I want to start my own Meetup but I think it’s quite expensive? Going to look into that as well :)

Glad you found someone Seesaw

Its tough. I've lived in rural Scotland for 6 years and as I don't drive I'm stumped. My nearest town is 11 miles away. I have my DP for company but bloody hell, I miss my friend's! It's hard breaking into established friendship groups .