How do people find friends in a new area?

[Varenne]

Looking for ideas from the hive mind. I moved to a new town in January, obviously followed not long after by lockdown. My last "nearby" friend has just relocated and it's struck me that the only person I know now in a reasonable distance is my DP. He's great but I want to be able to do things away from him!

I don't have children yet so mum groups are not an option. I don't really have any hobbies that involve other people. I'm a major introvert so the idea of joining some sort of group on my own is really intimidating but I recognise I might have to bite the bullet.

I was wondering if anyone has any bright ideas for how I could meet new people, as a non-single, childless woman in her early 30s.

Help!
Lonely of West Midlands

Hobbies or volunteering could be good options. With regards to hobbies it could be some sort of sport, dance etc or a course in a local college, eg language or Art etc.

Join a group for something you are interested in, volunteer locally, get a dog. Of course all options are currently complicated by Covid restrictions. A dog is an amazingly reliable way of meeting local people and forming friendships.

I have moved several times to new areas due to changing work locations in my adult life and my best advice is to get out there and go to everything at first. Go to any local fairs or village hall meet ups, chat to neighbours and people in shops and never turn down an invite to coffee or an evening drink. Hopefully at some point you will meet someone who you get on with and then you can make your own plans with them. I realise this isn’t easy and especially not as an introvert but I’ve found it’s the only way. If I am lax on getting out there when I first move then it’s easy to find yourself alone a lot and difficult to feel like you have any local friends to call upon. Good luck

Make friends with neighbours and through work .

@Varenne I sympathise as I too moved to a new area, Lancaster in the middle of January. My teenage daughter is living with her dad an hour's drive away. I was just getting to know people and lockdown happened. I joined a local ladies running club and that's about my weekly sociable event without DH. Other than that I chat to neighbours when gardening. We downsized to a little village and fortunately have mostly retired folk around us. I am in my early 50's.

Watching your post with interest

Thanks all, some good ideas! Unfortunately I can't get a dog right now as I sometimes have to do random trips away for work. I'd love one though, one day hopefully!

I've just emailed a local sports club but am so uncoordinated willing to give it a go though.

If anyone ever invited me for a drink I'd bite their hand off, it's just how to get the invite I'm struggling with!

Sorry to hear others are in the same boat. It's tough during lockdown but I'm sure we'll all figure something out

I moved to an area with no family and didn't know a soul. Worked from home so no chance of socialising with colleagues. I volunteered for two charities and joined a local Meetup group. Two years on and I have more friends and a busier social life than I've ever known - and I'm 49! Go for it OP!

@Varenne I am social distancing due to my asthma so no charity volunteering for me. How about we create a chat on number until things settle ?

Women’s Institute. Join all the local Facebook groups to discover what’s on. Park yoga classes and other similar sports groups that can carry on regardless of covid. Ramblers Association.

Park Run on a Saturday morning.

Church.
Volunteering.
Night school, to learn to bake/DIY/speak another language etc.
Could you try and organise a drink after work/meal after work with a couple of colleagues?

I moved 250 miles away a couple of years ago, joined my local political party of choice and a couple of craft groups. I’ve made some fabulous friends.