Moving to Dallas/Fort Worth area alone. (Houston, Salado: apartment, condo)

[avlnc89]

Im planning on moving to the Dallas/Fort Worth area soon. I'll be moving away from all my family and friends and I don't know ANYONE in the area. I was just curious as to how easy it is to make friends in Dallas/Fort Worth. I'm fairly outgoing and very friendly, but am still sort of nervous. I know its normal to feel this way when moving away from home, I just don't wanna move so far away (I'm moving from western North Carolina) and end up being lonely. Friends are definitely important to me. Oh, and I don't go to clubs or bars or anything like that, so will that work against me? Anyone with personal experience of moving to the area, it would be great to hear your opinions/stories.

[maverick89]

I felt the same way when I moved away from home. I moved from Indiana to western NC about 7 years ago and let me tell you, I was nervous too. But I made some really good friends through work and the rest is history. It all works out on its own. Just be outgoing and go with the flow. I miss my family and friends I grew up with, but its sometimes good to relocate somewhere and start a new life of your own. I know you wanted to hear from people who have lived, or do live in the Dallas area, but I saw your post and could relate. So I hope this helps. Good luck to you and I'm sure everything will be fine!

P.S. I hear the people in Dallas/Fort Worth are very friendly. I was actually thinking about moving there at one point.

[loves2read]

my daughter moved from DFW to south of Sarasota FL when she married--her husband's job involved him traveling m-f so he had NO friends that were local except one couple whose husband worked for same company he did-- plus he bought condo in basically a 55+ community just to have someplace he could afford close to the beach--so there were no young people living in their complex
she made a good friend where she worked--she teaches--and has made a couple more through her husband's work--
frankly I would say take it slow and easy--if you have interests like church or some other interest like photography/painting or movies or music like opera you can certainly find local sources to grow that interest and I think you will meet people more to your liking than maybe just via the apt complex or going to bars with people you don't know that well...might even consider taking a continuing ed course from local community college

if you are a new grad--then might be worth trying to hook up with college alumni group--not that you might like so many of them but they would have a similar frame of reference

[SaladoSam]

You might check into Yahoo! Groups. See if you can find one that has your interests and attend a meeting. If you're a bicycler look into the Greater Dallas Bicyclists.

You don't have to have racing bike, just an old clunker for an easy going Saturday morning ride will do. I did that many years ago and wound up going with a few of them to Holland to ride bike with a tour group for week. Turned out some others from Houston were on the ride as well.

[Canine*Castle]

Not going to clubs or bars won't work against you; you'll be better for it. I think anyone can find friends in due course, but be choosy. You'll be fine and the nervousness will get better once you get settled. You're surely leaving a gorgeous area of the country, but I wish you the best in Dallas.

[killer2021]

It is like going to school for the first time. At first you have no friends. As time passes you'll meet new people and eventually get friends.

It takes time. Get out and socialize.

[alleemac11]

avlnc I just wanted to let you know you I am rooting for you as I, too, will be in your situation this summer. I will be moving to DFW from Central Florida and will not know anyone or have any family close by. I hope to read in this forum that you have made new friends and wish you the best of luck.

[Synopsis]

People in the DFW area are very friendly. I've lived here for 20 years and I rarely meet rude people, except for my last employer.

[texanne]

Originally Posted by SaladoSam

You might check into Yahoo! Groups. See if you can find one that has your interests and attend a meeting. If you're a bicycler look into the Greater Dallas Bicyclists.

You don't have to have racing bike, just an old clunker for an easy going Saturday morning ride will do. I did that many years ago and wound up going with a few of them to Holland to ride bike with a tour group for week. Turned out some others from Houston were on the ride as well.

Salado Sam makes a GREAT suggestion. I'm a member of GDB and we always welcome new members.

Other ideas for meeting new people/friends...church or synagogue.
Other clubs of activities you like to do. We have a lot of lakes in the area, so if you like sailing, I'll bet you'd find a sailing school. I know there's one out at Lake Ray Hubbard.

If you're a jogger, check out the stores "Run On" or "Luke's Locker". They both have running clubs.

Then of course there could be organizations that are related to your job. Also, check out the website for "meetups". There are all kinds of meetings and events posted there.

The main thing is...don't just sit in your apartment. We're very friendly down here, as many of us are from elsewhere and love introducing others to the city. Good luck with your move!

[SaladoSam]

Yeah, Luke's Locker is crazy with things going on. That's where I pick up my Turkey Trot goods.