[sp88]

I've moved to a new city for work about 3 months ago now and I'm having quite a hard time meeting people. I was wondering if anyone else has had to do this and has any advice on good ways they got to meet people?

The nature of my job means I spend small amounts of time working for different companies all over the UK so I don't really meet anyone consistently through work. I joined a yoga and spin class pretty much as soon as I got here and I've tried chatting to people but it never really gets beyond small talk. I don't live too far away from my home town but me moving also seems to have coincided with a lot of my friends settling down in relationships and naturally not being as social (or fun!) as they used to be. Obviously I'm happy for them but it means I could really do with some new friends. I do have a boyfriend but we live a couple of hours apart as I met him at uni so although I'm friends with his friends they're not really local to me.

I'm not the most outgoing person which doesn't help, I'm really outgoing once I get to know people and I can chat to strangers no problem but it's actually changing small talk to 'hey do you want to meet up / exchange numbers' etc that I'm struggling with. Any advice would be much appreciated ..feel like billy no mates at the moment haha

[sam00]

I'm not the most outgoing person either... but you came over to WH. Perhaps there are ppl here from NY?! I think its just one step at a time. We slowed down a bit after some updates, but just post on sometime and someone will show up with something. See you.

[effy2014]

The best place to meet people with common interests is to join a group. Is there an alumni group for your university in your town? If there a cause you are or could become passionate, you could volunteer for a group that serves that cause. There are political, social action and religious groups that might be a fit. You could even take a class (photography, art or cooking for example) and meet people with common interests. Even some online groups, like Yelp, have events that bring people together. Look around your area and see what is offered. Best of luck.

[atskitty2]

Try Meetup. I believe it's international, and I've had good luck there. But effy's suggestions I'd try first.

[kira]

Join the club. I haven't had a friend offline in about 5 years. I did martial arts for like 10 years but I didn't make any close friends. Most were either not in my age group (why does martial arts attract teenagers and 40+?) or just not a personality that matched. Bubbly, bouncy people don't usually get involved with me even though I can be just as hyper in private with people I know. I tried various craigslist activities and postings, meetup groups, using the dating sites I was finding guys on to try to find friends instead.... I went with my husband to his gaming groups a few times but I mostly ended up reading a book because I wasn't in to the games they were playing and people didn't seem to like me just watching even though I was content with it. I'm thinking of buying a friend. Pay someone to help me with the exotic animals I breed and then I will have help plus someone to talk to about those animals. Of course this could also go horrible in many ways. No reward without risk.

[JessyJess]

I have one thing to tell you: couchsurfing

You don't have to host or to stay at anyone's house. You can just meet people from there. All of them are open minded and want to meet new people (that's why they're there)
Highly recommended