International Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Lurker thinking about coming out :)
Hi Everyone
I have been lurking on this site for a looong time 
About 2 years actually, but I always felt that I don`t really fit in.
I`m kind of a reverse IN I`m Hungarian, was born a lived in Slovakia until I was 19 when I have decided to go to the UK and improve my english. I ended up staying there for 8 years.
5 years ago I met my now husband, who is originally from India, but lived in the US for the last 20 years. We got married last year and I moved to the US. I have been here 13 months now and I`m struggling to make friends. I don`t know anybody here and it`s frustrating.
I hope it`s ok to join you guys
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Re: Lurker thinking about coming out :)
Hello!
Welcome to the board! Do you have a lot of chances to meet new people? I hope you join us here.
My Israel Blog!
Hi
I don`t get to meet too many people. I joined a gym, I went to the libary, I go to the park, but it`s not like I can just say to somebody.. hey, do you want to hang out?
I don`t work yet, hopefully one day when I will, meeting people will come easier. Until then I feel like I`m stuck...thanks for the welcome
I don't know a thing about the NJ and Manhattan areas, but I hope you can find someone to hang out with! We have some INs in that area, I think (I could be making that up though...) Churches and other religious organizations can be great places to meet people, they usually have community groups and things of that sort. It can be hard to make friends in new places.
Bio
I made a fantastic friend when I lived in Canada with a girl who was SO good at picking up friends everywhere she went. She and I met at a party and the last time I was with her, we ended up having lunch with the random woman sitting next to us and chatting together for hours. Lucky I met her because I was never good at that. But I think it's totally cool to ask someone to hang out.
Otherwise, just keep finding things that interest you. Church groups, knitting clubs, yoga, language groups. Check out meetup.com. I'm sure there are tons of groups in your area.
And welcome!
Welcome to the board! ebartzen's suggestion of meetup is a good one. My sis moved recently to an east coast city and she's been to two of those events, and while it doesn't guarantee a new best friend, she's found them a good way to meet people.
Other than that, can you join a book club? Bar quiz group or softball team? What about volunteering somewhere?
I feel the same way. My husband is always telling me to go out and ask people to hang out. Awkward much!?
You are living in a pretty populated area so you could try using meetup.com I wanted to try art and dance classes here to meet people but things are really expensive here in Switzerland so I wasn't able too.
I'm American and have been living in Zurich for a year with my German husband. We are moving back to the US at the end of September,
2012 Reading Challenge
Now Nesting from Chicago, IL My nail blog:
My husband also says to just go out and aproach people, but I just can not do that..he seems to be able to make friends easily, but I`m the total opposite of that
I have checked out meetup.com already and found a couple of things, but so far have not attended anything..
Thanks for all the encouragement
Welcome!
The good thing about this board is that pretty much anyone is welcome. I agree with allibally, meetup.com is a good start. I went to a couple meetups in NYC which were fun. Also, you said you go to the gym, I would recommend trying some classes they offer. It's easier to meet people there then in the actual weight area.
We've all been through this at some point and know it can be hard and frustrating at times. Keep your spirits up! And feel free to stop by here any time you have questions or even just want to vent.
2012 Reading Challenge
Welcome!
I think we've all been in your situation about making new friends.
My advice is to just put yourself out there, if you see someone who seems interesting or looks nice, just start a conversation. You have nothing to lose but maybe a new friend to gain! A good ice breaker is a compliment about something they are wearing and then see how it goes from there.
Jo reggelt!
I studied abroad in Budapest at CEU for a semester and that's about all the Hungarian I remember. Just remember that in the US people make friends pretty quickly and it's not a big deal to just go up to a stranger. You don't really need much reason to talk to anyone.
Maybe one day we can meet up - whenever I go back to the US I usually stop in NY and/or NJ (FH's husbands live in NJ).
In the meantime, please keep posting here, we like new people!
Hi! I lived in Northern Jersey for a bit...it can be tough to make friends. The meetups are good as there isn't a lot of pressure to "make friends" - you're there to do something or enjoy something and friendship can come from it. I particularly enjoyed going to a book club and met a few people that way originally.
I agree with Jetur - it is 'easier' to make friends in the US as more people are friendlier at times, but it's still hard once you are an adult...especially if you aren't super outgoing (that's my problem).
First of all, welcome to the board! You definitely fit in if you're quirky, living somewhere other than your native country, and just in general have an 'interesting' life situation.
And hey....even if you meet none of that criteria we're still a pretty friendly bunch.
Second, I can relate to what you've said above! Last year my in-laws always said the same thing. Just go out and meet people. I tried explaining that saying, "Hey wanna be my friend?" probably won't go over too well with total strangers.
I would've been labeled the creepy American in seconds.
Hello and welcome!
There are some good suggestions of places to start. It all sounds easier than it is, though, I know. Good luck!
We'd be happy for you to join us! Welcome to non-lurking!
I think you'll fit in just fine around here.
I'm an American living in Spain with my Spanish H and I've been here about 3 years. This board has been really great for me just for relating to people -- we can all relate to the difficulty making friends in new places.
a girl from Hawaii, living the expat experience in India.
Hello and welcome! I am originally from a suburb of NYC but now live in Sydney.
I'm sorry you are having a tough time making friends, but I hope things work out for you.
Hey Bogarka! I just wanted to add my welcome as well.
The only suggestion I have for you is to definitely approach people. Americans in general are really open and friendly and are always willing to help, and if you're in a difficult situation, we find that even more fun. With the area you're in, I'm certain there are international organizations, meetups, and all kinds of things to help you get moving in your expat life.
I totally understand the feelings of isolation though. Our time in Italy was just horrendous for me. I require stimulation and I HAVE to talk to someone, and that's where I found the board really helpful. We've all been through similar situations, whether it's because we're American living somewhere else, or non-Americans living in the States.
One thing I can say for sure is, right here, you have a great knowledge base to help you figure out how to understand the US and Americans. That in and of itself is worth sticking around!
Come on out of lurker status.
Wedding stuff.
Welcome to the board! We're two Americans in London.
I'm sorry you're having a hard time. The good thing is that almost everyone in NYC area is from somewhere else, so people are very open to inviting you to go places. Aside from the meetup groups, look on Craigslist for conversation groups for people who want to improve their English. Or, if you're athletic, you can join intramural sports. There's an organization called Zog Sports that puts teams together. You can't work, but what about volunteering somewhere? That will help you meet people. Good luck!
Hi and welcome! DH and I are Americans in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I totally understand how hard it can be to find friends. There are tons of people in NY who will be in the same situation though - I think it's one of the more fluid parts of the country so there are always tons of new people and new things going on. I would absolutely agree with all the posts and totally suggest you look for a volunteer opportunity or club and just go from there. Even if you don't meet lifelong friends, you'll be busier and that's a good place to start.
We are excited to have anyone join our board, you're more than welcome!
BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks, Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks