Looking for friends in South Wales

Hello! I am not that new to the UK but new to the boards. My story (in a nutshell): met my now-husband online 6 years ago, dated long-distance for quite some time with a few visits. When I graduated from my US university I moved to the UK in 2012 to do a Master's degree. We were living in SW Wales at the time. We then got married, I graduated, got my spouse visa and got a new job and we've now moved further east (all this in the past year), to the NPT area.

I got lucky and made some really good friends through my husband where we were living before, but am feeling quite lonely in our new area. I don't know how to meet people outside of university, and as happy as I am with my husband I am the type of person who's always thrived on having close friends--maybe because in the long time we spent long-distance, I spent all my time with friends because he wasn't close enough! All of our neighbors have children and I'm in my mid-twenties but not planning on having kids any time soon, so I feel like we're in very different stages of life. I also really loved where we were living previously and am having a hard time adjusting to the new area. So I'm here hoping to meet someone in the Bridgend/Neath Port Talbot area who is also looking for friends!

I'm in Cardiff, but you seem to be in about the same place in life as I am. Mid 20's and staying far away from children. Haha. If you're ever planning on being in Cardiff I'd be glad to meet up!

Ahh Cardiff, the promised land for expats!   I jest, but in all seriousness, I envy you! I feel like it would be easier to meet people in a bigger city like Cardiff because there's so much more going on in terms of social groups and such, and I'm not opposed to turning up at book clubs, social events, etc. to try and meet people, but the problem is there seems to be absolutely nothing of that kind in my area! I do have a few friends in Cardiff, I just wish I had friends closer to see on a regular basis--and I wouldn't care if they were American or not! But I don't know how to meet people around here so I figured I'd give this a shot. I am currently commuting to Newport for work twice a week on a short-term basis though, so maybe I should try meeting up with people on my way back through Cardiff.

As a side note, reading your signature, it seems we have incredibly similar stories on how we ended up here!

*grins*

A lot of us met our British halves online I've noticed! It's a pretty awesome way to meet people!

I'm in the east Midlands, down in Swadlincote. In the corner of Derbyshire right by Leicestershire, Staffordshire, and Nottinghamshire.

Ahh Cardiff, the promised land for expats!   I jest, but in all seriousness, I envy you! I feel like it would be easier to meet people in a bigger city like Cardiff because there's so much more going on in terms of social groups and such, and I'm not opposed to turning up at book clubs, social events, etc. to try and meet people, but the problem is there seems to be absolutely nothing of that kind in my area! I do have a few friends in Cardiff, I just wish I had friends closer to see on a regular basis--and I wouldn't care if they were American or not! But I don't know how to meet people around here so I figured I'd give this a shot. I am currently commuting to Newport for work twice a week on a short-term basis though, so maybe I should try meeting up with people on my way back through Cardiff.

As a side note, reading your signature, it seems we have incredibly similar stories on how we ended up here!

Do you have any hobbies like knitting, crafting, etc? I'm an avid knitter and there's quite a few knitting groups here in Cardiff, so you might try googling for local groups for whatever hobby you're interested in.  Outside of that I'm at a loss for suggestions for you. I'm usually quite happy to be at home alone, so what little social things I do is just tagging along with the boyfriend and meeting his friends. For now that's plenty for me. I'm starting my post grad work soon so I'm sure I'll meet a few people there as well. Maybe see if there's anything like cooking classes or something like that going on nearer to you?

Do you have any hobbies like knitting, crafting, etc? I'm an avid knitter and there's quite a few knitting groups here in Cardiff, so you might try googling for local groups for whatever hobby you're interested in.  Outside of that I'm at a loss for suggestions for you. I'm usually quite happy to be at home alone, so what little social things I do is just tagging along with the boyfriend and meeting his friends. For now that's plenty for me. I'm starting my post grad work soon so I'm sure I'll meet a few people there as well. Maybe see if there's anything like cooking classes or something like that going on nearer to you?

I haven't had much luck so far in finding any groups matching my hobbies in my area, but I'm still looking. I did a postgrad program over here but it was tiny--there were 6 who started my year and only 3 graduated with me! One was also international but went back home, and the other two I've stayed friends with but I'm just looking to widen my social circle. I'm not fussed whether I meet Americans or British people, I just found this site and thought I'd give it a go

I haven't had much luck so far in finding any groups matching my hobbies in my area, but I'm still looking. I did a postgrad program over here but it was tiny--there were 6 who started my year and only 3 graduated with me! One was also international but went back home, and the other two I've stayed friends with but I'm just looking to widen my social circle. I'm not fussed whether I meet Americans or British people, I just found this site and thought I'd give it a go

Gotcha. Well like I said if you're ever in Cardiff let me know and we can meet for coffee or something. although I am a very happy homebody I do enjoy getting out from time to time. for now I'll enjoy my night alone with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and my knitting while my partner is out with his friends.