Making Friends

Hi everyone,
I moved to Whitstable with my boyfriend three weeks ago for us both to start new jobs. The area is beautiful and the people are friendly but I'm not sure how to make new friends. Most meetup sites I can find are for dating or for London area. Any suggestions?

I have moved a lot in life and have always found it easiest to connect with people through things I am interested in, particularly sports.  Is there anything athletic you like to do?  Are there local clubs that support it?  What about sports you would like to try but never have had the chance?  Sometimes taking group lessons can be a good way to meet new people when everyone looks like a fool

A similar approach can be taken for the arts or music, etc.  Think about your interests, individual or shared, and then see what is available in town!

What about using MeetUp.com?  I am down in London, but surely there are different groups up in your area too?

Finally, myself and another expat have found pub quizzes a good way to at least interact with other people.  We went to something called Puzzled Pint in London and got thrown in with some lovely other people to work with on the puzzles.  Good night out and cheap!  

It can take some time meeting new friends, but give it a chance and think inventively about ways to meet new people.

What are you interested in, i.e. what do you do for fun? 

There's an old thread here which may give you some ideas

I'd say try and find what there is in your area and see if you fancy anything.  Look around everywhere- not just the internet. Scour the public notice boards, the public library, cafe and pub flyers, bus stop flyers, gumtree ,and newspaper adverts (I answered a newspaper advert looking for a trombone player which has led to tons of opportunities and friendships for me).  Also, don't be afraid to try things you haven't before, you never know what you may end up loving to do and what paths this may take you down. 

Also, there is this thread on making friends and I always enjoy the article posted in this thread about making friends as an adult (because it really is like dating!)

For those folks who aren't really outgoing (I am really not outgoing or extroverted, I am very introverted and have introspective energy -I really have to force myself to be and use a lot of energy up for!! But when I'm doing something I love, I find the energy easier) - I always just say to myself, getting yourself over the line is the hardest part of trying something new.  Once you're in, people will be welcoming and friendly and happy to have you there.  If they're not, you don't want to be there anyways!! 

Good luck! 
 

Just a thought--see if your town or broader community has a facebook page!  When I moved back to Georgia, I found the neighborhood page to be a great resource and place to connect and made a lot of friends. I'm hoping to do the same the next time we move. I don't know if it exists for your area, but it might be a place to start.