[mariskany]

Hi - I'm thinking of taking an early retirement and relocating to Michigan to be close to my son and his family. I'm considering the Troy, Berkeley, Royal Oak area. My worry is that I don't have any friends in Michigan aside from my daughter-in-law's family (who are wonderful people.) How difficult is it going to be for me to find a part time job and make a new circle of friends around my age - 63. I'm divorced and live alone.

[mariatherese]

I didn't find it particularly easy to make friends in the SE MI area, IMO people are a bit stand-offish and busy, always on the go, no time for small talk... but I am used to small town people! So, that doesn't mean you won't make friends. It may just take extra effort- get involved in social activities.

Good luck!

[snowlandcook]

Originally Posted by mariatherese

I didn't find it particularly easy to make friends in the SE MI area, IMO people are a bit stand-offish and busy, always on the go, no time for small talk... but I am used to small town people! So, that doesn't mean you won't make friends. It may just take extra effort- get involved in social activities.

My experience is just the opposite. I find the people in Detroit burbs easy to talk to. You can strike up a conversation with the person standing next to you in the grocery store and they will talk back to you. In the small town I later moved to, people I didn't know would look at me like I was nuts if I talked to them.

From experience, I can say the best way to make new friends is to get involved--in your church, community, neighborhood, whatever.

Good luck.