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?

I moved from the south to the north east of England at 42; then from there to another country at 47. Came back to the UK, to a completely different area, at 52; moved from there to another part of England at 53; to Scotland at 58, back to yet another new part of England at 62, and then again at 66. I've lived everywhere from very rural to cities.

I'm 70 now, and planning another move next year, from a village to a new city.

I have friends all over the country (all over the world, in fact, as I lived overseas in my 30s too) which is nice. I just join stuff and see what sticks. Adult education - not U3A - is quite good, as you have a shared interest and there's usually time after classes for the pub. It is worth doing some research before you move so you can be sure there are enough activities that you will enjoy, and that you can get to places easily (rarely an issue in London, of course).

I think it’s easier once you’ve retired to make friends as you can do activities during the day. I’ve noticed that all the groups in my local area are on weekdays which isn’t great when you’re working.

I guess there’s always volunteering at weekends and evening classes.

Which part of London are you in? I'm in London but looking to move once dd leaves school.

I did it at 55 and it was the best thing I did. However, I do Have a job that takes me to the office once or twice a week.

Do you have any interest that mean you could join some sort of groups that does those?

Something to do with fitness or another hobby this is what I’ve done. I also live in a really friendly village and I’ve made lots of friends already here.

I imagine a decent size place ideal, too big and its anonymous, too small and it's a bit like the village in Hot Fuzz!

I have moved and started from scratch several times. First time I was 18. Moved over the border on my own and started a new life. Then in my 40s, again in my 60s. I’ve just moved to another new area where I know nobody. Been here nearly a year , chat to other people in the parks, on the beach. I used to make friends in the last place while dog walking, helping the neighbours and joining in community events, community council, voluntary groups. Place before, regulars at the swimming became friends.
Here I know a few to chat with through dog walking but I’m less bothered and prefer my solitude . Theatres, cinemas, restaurants, pubs , museums aren’t far away. Kids are nearby . ..like 15 minutes and an hour drive. One is in London, visits 4 times a year.

Me too @LaurieFairyCake I try to get to a show every weekend.
I also joined a choir when my husband died. Excellent way of making new friends OP plus singing is very good for the soul.

Yes, 3 years I moved from London to the Kent coast to live by myself by the sea. I was 51.

I feel much happier and healthier here.

You can meet new people through work, hobbies, sports, volunteering, joining groups and so on.

I have also found that people are much friendlier and much more relaxed away from the big city :).

I just made sure I chose somewhere with decent buses and trains and easy access to GP, dentist, supermarkets and other basic facilities rather than somewhere too remote.

So far I have done some volunteering, joined Pilates classes, an art club and I write articles for a local quarterly magazine.

Why does this read like an ad?

My cousin moved from south of UK to Scotland at age 60. She had friends there but threw herself into social stuff etc. three years on she had no regrets.

I changed my name when I moved to this city and dumped most of my previous friends and acquaintances. I did stay in touch with one or two former colleagues but that gradually petered out. I did look to see what had happened to them now Im in my 80s but found 2 were dead and could find no trace of the third.

Not quite the same as I moved with my husband but I’m more sociable than him.

I moved from London to a small town in Somerset but I would recommend that as everything thing is close by including new friends. In London a lot of people i knew had moved out, or were very spaced out in London.

I’ve joined loads of things. A social group called Hot Flushes, Rock Choir, Women’s Shed, colouring club, sewing club…. I’m always going out somewhere! And it’s lovely bumping into people around town I know.

im also working part time, though that’s in the nearest city. I’ve met people there but I’m old enough to be most of the team’s mum, so while I get on well with them and often tell stories from my ‘yoof’ to make them laugh I’m not close friends with them. But it gets me out of the house.

edited to add I was late 50s when we moved 2 years ago and don’t regret it at all.

Not alone, but DH and I plan to do this in about 10 years when we retire and the DC are gone. i also worry about the social aspect of it though. My plan is, as said on here, to join various groups and activities and use that to keep busy and, hopefully, make friends. We're also probably aiming to live somewhere that's not SOO far away from where we are currently and that still makes LOndon accessible on the basis that then we'll be able to meet up more easily with older friends and hvae that socialisation going for us.

Currently, where we'll move is unclear but we want to be closer to water. and are looking at everywhere from small towns near the coast to apartments in east London near the Thames!

So many inspiring stories. I believe women are great at building new networks, acquaintances and friendships. If you just want to dip your toe in the water a friend of mine took a long term winter holiday in Swanage for 4 months - had the best time and met so many other women who had relocated there who were all very intentionally social. Go for it.

Where did you move that was so friendly? 😊

Deal, Kent.

Nice little seaside town with still a lot of activities available :).

I moved to a completely new area after divorce in my early sixties. I’m still working and I’ve made friends at work and also friends through dance classes. When I retire I’ll move again and then I’ll be very intentional about joining book groups, craft groups, walking groups etc. It takes effort but it’s worth it.

Honestly, London is friendlier than many other places in the UK - and there's so much going on. While volunteering - park runs, food banks - is good for company, things where you have to open up are particularly good. Creative writing is brilliant for that - nerve-wracking and bonding.

It sounds like a good place to live?

Ime nothing beats Yorkshire for friendliness of the people living there.

Definitely would recommend it.

Of course seaside towns are much quieter in the winter but I never get bored here.

You can choose to read it like an ad, or find an event open to all and go along for a coffee morning. Your choice.

I already made my choice but thank you!