Meeting people in Huntsville? (Valley: house, neighborhood, theatre)

[Ajchez]

Hi,

I just moved to Huntsville a few months ago, and so far I'm liking the city except for the apparent lack of singles. I've been trying to get involved in the community, but I can't seem to find a good place to meet young singles (I'm 23). Am I missing something? Where is a good place to socialize and just meet people? I dislike the bars because there seems to be an instant dislike to people who walk in alone in this town for some reason.

If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.

[rnc76]

That is a common complaint from young folks here. The city is trying hard to make it more attractive to young people, but the fact still remains that Huntsville is a nice place to raise a family but can be a lonely place to be single.

Out of curiosity, what bars have you visited? Coffee shops are usually more comfortable for me to visit solo. Old Town Coffee on Pratt Ave is a great place. It is a very friendly, neighborhood coffee shop where nobody seems to mind striking up conversations with total strangers.

What are your hobbies? The folks that post here may be able to point you towards some clubs. Of course, volunteering and charities can be a good way to do something worthwhile and start to feel like part of the community, while also meeting nice people.

[AQUEMINI331]

Kind of hard to believe that Huntsville is a hard place to meet singles. There's three decent size colleges / universities in the city limits - UAH (University of Alabama-Huntsville), Alabama A&M (Agricultual & Mechnical) and Oakwood College. Huntsville is a bit of a college town, actually. I should know - I'm an A&M alum myself and spent 4 years up there.



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[rnc76]

^^^I think the problem is there is no central "college district". The college students are spread all over town and there really doesn't seem to be an area where they all go out to socialize. I'm not single, but I have heard this complaint from others as well.

[Ajchez]

For the record, I'm into go (Japanese game, not the English verb), chess, and other strategy games. I do some running and working out, also. The hiking here is amazing. I've been flying for years now, and I'm about to start a program to learn aerobatics.

I guess my first post was a little misleading. I'm not really looking just for a girlfriend. I really want to meet a group of people I'm comfortable with, which hasn't happened yet.

Olde Town Coffee is a nice place, but it closes too soon and it's hard for me to make it there after work. Are there any comparable coffee shops around?

[rnc76]

Sorry, didn't mean to use the term single. I knew what you meant, but for some reason I typed single.

There is a very active running club, the Huntsville Track Club (Huntsville Track Club Home Page). They have running groups that get together and train.

House of Brews is a very laid back bar/coffee shop downtown on Northside Square. I can't think of much else other than Starbucks now that Seattle South closed.

Don't worry too much, a few months isn't very long. In my experience, there seems to be a snowball effect that occurs at some point after moving to a new city. Once you make a couple friends, you meet their friends, start going out as a group, meeting more people...

[Reactionary]

Ajchez - Huntsville Young Professionals organizes events for social networking (usually late Spring through early Fall):

Huntsville Young Professionals

Second House of Brews. While you're downtown, check out Humphreys, Voodoo Lounge, Kaffeklatsch, or Masons. Get to know the bartenders. Tip well.

Volunteer. Events like Panoply and Big Spring Jam use lots of volunteers. The trails need maintenance and the invasive privet needs killing and the rivers need cleaning and the caves need exploring. Organizations advertise for volunteers in the Huntsville Times.

For example, Alabama Water Watch is conducting workshops this Friday or Saturday (9:00 - 4:30, cost $2.50), under the supervision of City Ecologist Soos Weber.

You may also consider becoming politically active - elections are coming up and candidates need your help. Volunteering for a city council campaign (for example) is a good way to meet your neighbors.

Read the Valley Planet.

Valley Planet | valleyplanet.com Huntsville and North Alabama entertainment, nightlife and news, including restaurants, bands, concerts, theatre, sports, galleries, movies, events and live music calendar.

Additionally, you may want to reflect on your attitude:

there seems to be an instant dislike to people

I've found that most people don't dislike someone until they open their mouth.

[Southlander]

A friend of mine joined the ski club years ago and found her spouse there.

[NicoleC]

I've had the same issues, but different age range. And I don't get into town as much as I would like, so that's a hindrance for me that may not be for you. Still, there's nothing like sitting in a restaurant and not getting served because they assume you are waiting for someone. Once you have to make a nuisance of yourself to get served, the whole evening is off.

But I have encountered very friendly people here and there, you just have to start talking. I don't think it's dislike as much as it is surprise and assumptions. Don't expect someone to talk to you first.

For your age, the Huntsville Young Professionals is probably right up your alley. You may also want to check out some of the hikes and events of the No. Al. Sierra Club.
N A Sierra Club

[Yama07]

Hey, my boyfriend and I sit outside at House of Brews asking "where are all the young people???" We are 25 and bored... House of Brews is closing soon, though, so unfortunately we can't go there anymore. Any other ideas? Coffee Klautch is full of old bikers who stare at us every time we walk in....