How did you deal with moving away?

lbailey886 · August 2014

Up until about a year ago, I had always either worked or lived in my hometown. Most of my family and all of my friends are there. When I met SO, I changed jobs to a city two hours away, and I had already moved 30 minutes away. That doesn't seem like much, but when you factor in the fact that I work 8.5 hours a day and I have an hour commute both ways to work, that only leaves the weekends to see anyone. No problem, right? Except my friends all work on weekends.

Don't get me wrong, I still see my bff when I can, I'm going to tonight, actually. With cell phones and things, it makes keeping old friends easier.

But making new friends seems to be my problem here. I get along with the people I work with, but we have nothing in common (at 26, I'm the youngest person in the office and I don't have children).

I am ALWAYS wishing I had stayed at my old job (even though I know I couldn't afford the pay cut to go back). I love SO with all my heart, but I still need my girlfriends too.

How did you all make new friends when you moved to a new city?

GilliC · August 2014

Special interest activities, so you already have something in common. Sports activities, classes, hobby groups, religious groups, etc.

You can also find groups on sites like meetup (or even Facebook) for people who are new to the area. I definitely recommend trying to find other recent transfers, because they'll be in the same boat as you and more enthusiastic about nurturing new friendships.

My best luck making new friends after moving have been a church group (I'm not even that religious!) and a book club formed on a "new to the city" message board.

Ilumine · August 2014

I love moving. Now that DH is out of the military and we have been in the same place for over 2 years (a place we had previous lived) I am bored out of my mind.

How to make friends;

1) Gym membership - take a specific class on a regular basis. It won't happen overnight, but after a few weeks, you should be able to make connections with the other people.

2) Take a class in a special interest - pottery making, quilting, photography, basket weaving, etc. Again, it wont happen on the first day of class, but the opportunities will be there.

3) Meetup.org and the other similar organizations like that.

4) Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity or the Aids Walk, etc.

Here's the secret trick. YOU HAVE TO INITIATE CONTACT. For people who are introverted or shy, it sucks. But if you rely on the rest of the world (many who are introverted or shy too), then you are going to wait for a long time.

CJBosquez · September 2014

I've been in the same boat - moved 2 hours from family and friends when I got married. I agree with PP - find activities that you like to do and join a club - community education classes are great, as they are relatively cheap (at least in my area), and lots of people sign up. I took a ballroom dancing class, joined a co-ed soccer team, and am in a book club. Trying new things is fun, as other people will be learning too and you can bond over that. You may not make friends immediately, but it will also give you something fun to do and not leave you bored and lonely.

How did you deal with moving away?

Re: How did you deal with moving away?

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