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My family and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I have been wanting to move for sometime. The main reason why I want to move is our neighborhood and how difficult it is to make friends here. The people are polite but it is VERY difficult to find those who want to make new friends. We have been in this neighborhood for almost 4 yrs and I still don't know half the people on my court and have gone 3+ months without seeing most of my neighbors. People are rarely outside, even on beautiful days. So I am looking for an area to live where people actually want to be friends with the people they live around. People in the "South" have a stereotype of being very friendly and it seems that this is true from what I have read on this site. But I am wondering if this is really true. Am I being realistic about what I want or has society just changed so much that I am being unrealistic? Thanks for any experiences you can share.
You'd have to be a recluse not to see people out in my neighborhood every moment of the day. People working in their yard, walking their dogs, kids running crazy everywhere, drivers waving as they pass, washing their cars (sans drought of course). We've met so many people in my neighborhood and I'd say it's a pretty good indicator of what one could expect from the rest of the region.
For what it's worth, I'm a native Charlottean and most of the people I meet are transplants. So whether you're local or a recent transplant, I think it's the general vibe of the south that puts people at ease and comfortable to be outgoing and sociable.
You'd have to be a recluse not to see people out in my neighborhood every moment of the day. People working in their yard, walking their dogs, kids running crazy everywhere, drivers waving as they pass, washing their cars (sans drought of course). We've met so many people in my neighborhood and I'd say it's a pretty good indicator of what one could expect from the rest of the region.
For what it's worth, I'm a native Charlottean and most of the people I meet are transplants. So whether you're local or a recent transplant, I think it's the general vibe of the south that puts people at ease and comfortable to be outgoing and sociable.
+1
Yup, what he said. Within the first week of being here, I was waving to all the passers-by, even though I don't know them personally, just like everyone in our neighborhood does.
You are absolutely right...that is some of our same reasons as well...we have been in our home for going on 8 years barely know our neighbors...still wandering where all of the children are..I know they live around here I talked to moms in school but NONE of the kids are outside..I really think its th eplay station, wii,xbox and computers that are doing it...We long for neighbors like I had growing up..we had barbecques together..would just stop by to say hi...dinners..vacations..Dads got together..football games..Holidays..just plain being a neighborhood family...and I miss the neighborhood block parties....We are so hoping to have that in NC..from our visit it seems as tho we will...people were just so kind an dwe were afraid that they wouldnt be because we are from the North but they were so gracious...
AMAZING! We have the same experience living in California. I started to THINK - IT'S ME. I am Czech living with American husband in southern California for the last 1,5 year and was not able to MAKE ONE FRIEND here. I don't know why. We don't know our neighbors except one Vietnamese family. I have a neighbor with the same age children and invited her and her husband and children for dinner to our home. We had a good time and was hoping to arrange a play date. It never happened and it has been almost 1 year.
We lived in Florida for 3 years and met a lot of nice people that we keep in touch with. In fact we have friends coming to visit us and stay with us next month for a week. It's interesting to see how difficult is to meet people here. Any idea why? Yes, we also lived in San Francisco but it was the time "before kids" so we had different life-style.
Last edited by Julia1997; 02-25-2008 at 08:13 PM..
Having lived in several states, I think that it really depends on the ratio of new transplants to locals. Locals have their social connections and often family members in place and may not have time to reach out. I once lived in a relatively new neighborhood but the majority of residents were locals who moved from another part of town. If you live in an area where most are transplants, you will find many who want to make new friendships, etc.
I wish that I could tell you that you will move here and be invited to neighborhood block parties and never-ending social events, but the south is changing and that old-fashioned view is changing as well. Many people are polite, but they still keep to themselves. If you are into church activities, then you will meet alot of people and network fairly quickly. (Remember, this is still the Bible Belt!) Also, there are alot of professional groups in the area that offer very positive interactions, but overrall, you may have some of the same experiences as you are having in San Fran.
Are there many Catholics in Charlotte and are they treated like everyone else?
Yes, there are many catholics in the area. No one around here is really treated unequally. Only thing that matters is respect for the most part.
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Within the first week of being here, I was waving to all the passers-by, even though I don't know them personally, just like everyone in our neighborhood does.
