Has anyone successfully moved somewhere new and started again solo in their 50s?

[SoggySaggySocks]

Has anyone just started again? If so how?

I'm in my early 50s. I run my own business from home which I could do pretty much anywhere. DC are adults and no longer married. I'm tempted to move to somewhere lovely that I've always wanted to move to (various places in mind) and just starting again.

The thing is how to make friends at my age? People are still working, people still have kids and teenagers around so how would I meet people. Has anyone done this successfully?

Bump

Its tempting isn't it im hoping to move away from my home town this year not too far but away from the ghosts ive lost people these last few years and this place all I can see is the last place I saw them

I haven't done it, but hope to (same age). I am a Christian so would join a church. My current church runs Places of Welcome, which are not church/Christianity specific - seem to be quite a few and everyone is welcome; cuf.org.uk/places-of-welcome

You just need to throw yourself into the local community. Work, volunteer, pursue hobbies. Then you'll meet loads of new people some will be acquaintances and some will become friends. It's largely just a numbers game.

My sil did, although to be fair, she did move nearer to one of her dc. However, she had to develop a whole new adult friendship group.

She met people through dog walking, a walking group etc. other ideas would be Bookclub’s, ‘friendship’ groups you see on Facebook, or whatever hobbies interest you.

Ohhh exciting. I may do this when the time is right.

My DM moved and created a whole social life in second half of 70s. Book club, community group, walking club - said yes to everything!

I plan to move soon. Estranged husband is dating the town and humiliating me at every turn. My adult children never bother with me so me and the dog are moving away.
Not the future I envisaged but husband is a foolish lying coward.

I'm on the brink of divorce and having to do this. I'm excited by the idea and won't be able to move somewhere lovely ... but somewhere I can afford. I think its attitude and joining in cos I've moved around a lot.

A tiny bit younger than you I did, late 40’s. Once the last kid went to uni.

Live in London, have an amazing life. Really keen on theatre, I go all the time. Have picked up a load of new hobbies. Go ‘into town’ (4 miles to central) at least once a week.

Me.

Divorced the man I was married to for over 24 years. Moved from the South to the North, back home. Made new friends. Making a new life for myself.

I moved to another part of the country just before my 50th birthday.

I won't say it was easy starting again, but I don't regret it.

I was 49, but moved countries. Lots of people I know have moved long distances in middle age. Key is choosing the place carefully.

My friend moved alone to rural France in her 50s. EU passport. Speaks French. Is self-employed there. Very happy.

Devorgilla Days is a really inspiring book for anyone thinking of moving and starting again alone, especially after a big upheaval in their life.

@LaurieFairyCake London is tempting me - I'd say it is my spiritual home. I lived there when I was younger but not sure how it would feel at this stage of my life. I think it would be hard to break into a community there.

@PandorasMailbox what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

I am moving after my marriage has ended and my self confidence is in tatters. I'm worried I'll just hide.

@12234m Did you reconnect with old friends. One of the places on my list is the town i went to school in and I know a few people down there. It's a lovely place but it feels like a step back to return there.

I haven't reconnected with old friends. I had always stayed in touch with a school friend and some older people I knew as a child so it's been nice to see them more. Did bump into someone pretty special but on the whole I'm making new friends.

DDad died when DM was 52. A couple of years later she took voluntary redundancy and moved from the city we’d all grown up in, to a village 200 miles away. She got a part time job and volunteered for everything. Church group, charity shop, trained to be a guide at the local cathedral, joined a gardening group, golf club ladies etc When I was on mat leave, it was difficult to find a time to visit her!

I’m planning to do this in 5 years time OP. My plans are to:

1. Look up U3A groups in the new towns - there’s loads going on.
2. Fill every day with a group activity (choir, book club, walking group, language class, art class etc etc) for the first 3 months then you can be picky once you have done that initial 3 months!
3. don’t expect to make TV style friends, just remember friends are just people you do things with!

At 49 I moved countries. At 58 a planning moving again. Exciting !

Did at 52 to a hamlet where I didn't know a soul... been here three yrs now...
hard (ish) to make friends due to working unsociable hours but made a few as lucky we have one pub! - I joined the quiz there. But I feel until I get a job with better hours nothing will really change. Not unhappy though! Love living alone, just me and Dcat

There ARE a lot of activities around here, but as I work eves, and weekends, I can't join anything.. hence jobhunting as after three yrs here I've not really branched out much!

I’ve found it really easy to break into the community I live in, I’m in 2 book groups, a Pilates group, 2 bridge clubs, a pickleball group, an art group…

I know more people now than I ever did anywhere else. London is so easy for joining things. I’m just about to join U3A, loads of groups I want to do locally.

My mother did it. She moved to a new area aged 65 and then again aged 70 and in the latter house she had 13 happy years. She did in fact have a manfriend but he was away a lot. She did a lot of U3A groups but s her main passions were gardening, solitude, travel and family (in that order) she made a wonderful life for herself.

I agree with you about the pull of London for older people but I think that community can be very easy to find there. Top tip; allotments. And volunteering.