Those of you who have moved away after retirement, how have you met new friends?

[Poiuyt]

I've lived in my home town my whole life, but I'm having trouble with Wisconsin winters these days.

My wife and I are not really church goers; I know that's the standard advice for meeting new people. Does anyone have any other advice for someone in a new city?

[cilla4progress]

1. Volunteer,

join affinity groups. Birders, hiking, symphony, bluegrass...

[FalloutShelter]

5. I agree.

Volunteer…arts…literacy…animal shelters… food pantry. You will meet lots of like minded folks.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Should I live that long, I was planning to hold swinger's parties on the regular to make new friends

But I realize that may not work for everyone.

There's always the Elk's Lodge, the Moose Club, or the Freemasons.

If either of you are vets, there's lots of social groups I'd think?

If either of you closely associate with a foreign country, there's likely community social groups for people with that heritage. My Aunt has socialized at an Italian American club in Oakland, CA, for decades, all her kids got married at their Club.

A lot of socializing happens related to various automobiles as well, esp. classic cars.

That's about all I got

[Freethinker65]

3. Bookmarking

I think my soon to be retired husband is going to have a problem with this.

[LakeArenal]

4. We lived in rural central WI for 45 years.

We had no social life. I had lots of girlfriends but that wasn’t the same as dinners at homes and being invited to parties. Mr Lake didn’t really have friends. He was a work alcoholic.

We moved to Costa Rica to hang out together after years of work separating us.

But as it turns out, we now have a social life. Invited for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have ex-pats and Tico friends. We could eat out everyday with people if we wanted.

Every day is an adventure and we like it. In WI old people we were around wanted to talk their ailments. What medicine are you taking? Who’s sick. Who died.

We wanted something just for us. Our own plan. No relatives, friends or emplployers involved. No one had a say but us. When I visualized our stay here….We got it exactly right. For us. Good luck.

[cilla4progress]

9. Sounds utopian!

I am so ready to move away from my conservative old boring place where I've lived for almost 45 years! Yep!

We visit our adult daughter in her energetic college town where everyone smiles at the dog park - excusing themselves if THEY run into YOUR DOG...! and I salivate.

Ahhh...

[LakeArenal]

11. It's not a place for everyone for sure. It's important that both of you be on the same page.

If one partner is unhappy, ultimately it doesn’t work.

We planned and dreamed 13 before we left.

Obstacles galore. Finally, we decided hell or high water we are leaving. Thank gawd we did. Six months later COVID hit and we may have never gotten here.

[Prairie_Seagull]

12. It's subjective but sometime the grass really is greener.

How are the language skills?

[LakeArenal]

14. Getting reasonable.

Between our Spanglish and their Spenglish we get everything done.

The Tico’s are very friendly and respect people who make the effort.

[cilla4progress]

15. We loved our short visit there -

visiting daughter at end of her study abroad.

Quepos was pretty sleepy then, but I think they've since built a big Western-style marina there for rich Texans to extinguish the Marlin and get their rocks off?

[LakeArenal]

18. We live in a much different environment.

In the mountains on Lake Arenal. Rainforest and much cooler.

[cilla4progress]

20. We visited there, too!

All fogged in - never saw the volcano! Great hike, though.

[Mr.Bill]

6. See if there's a Historical Society where you are moving to.

Good way to meet people and learn about the new area.

[femmedem]

7. Think about what type of people you'd like to meet and figure out where they are.

For example, decades ago I was in a new place and reeling in grief. I wanted to meet artists so I modeled for art classes. It worked!

Later, new in another town, I met a ton of people when I joined a local peace and justice network. We protested the Iraq war and went to congressional offices and we're still friends today.

But maybe you like to cook, hike, read, write, or play music and want to find other people to share your interests with. Maybe you like to conduct historical research, play cards, garden. And absolutely volunteering is a great way to meet people. There are always food that needs to be given away, public spaces that need gardeners, animals that need fostering (you'd meet the new owners).

And you could just knock on folks' doors and see if you could arrange a neighborhood trash pickup or see if there is a group that walks together regularly.

And you could get a dog. Walking a dog is a great way to meet good people.

I hope some of my quick brainstorming is helpful. And good luck. Even when it's the right decision, it's hard to leave a place you've called home your entire life.

[jimfields33]

8. I really recommend to 55+ community.

They typically have lots of activities and pools where people congregate and become friendly. Also, neighbors invite neighbors over for a drink or dinner or they go out to dinner. It’s a wonderful concept. You will definitely make friends.

[keithbvadu2]

10. DO something!

DO something!

Volunteer. Part-time job. Some light educational courses purely for interest. Social groups.

Get away from the rocking chair.

Also each spouse get an interest separate from your spouse.

Common interests are great but also have something that is yours.

Volunteer work can help give you a sense of purpose.

Be careful... you can volunteer yourself into a full-time unpaid job with stress.

[multigraincracker]

13. I've moved twice to towns I didn't know a soul

after I retired. For me, it was pick a college town and joined the local Democratic Party.
Also, after I had given up, I found my Soul Mate.

[GenThePerservering]

16. Hiking groups

biking groups, walking groups - GET OUTSIDE.

Volunteer to help at events if you can't be real active.

Fresh air and friendly people, and it leads to other activities to do with friends that you make. Usually a mix of men and women plus families.

[Upthevibe]

17. Poiuyt...............

I absolutely agree with what folks are saying:

Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people. And if you stay in the U.S., definitely volunteer with a local progressive group.

In Southern California (where I am) there are many meetup groups for every kind of hobby or interest you can possibly think of.

A friend of mine recently divorced and had to move from where she was (and where she was close friends with her neighbors) to a new neighborhood. She's always had dogs and has made new friends by walking her critters.

Keep us posted on your journey!

[cilla4progress]

21. Yes -

beautiful sentiment!