Meeting people in Minneapolis... (living, moving to, clubs)

[robind]

http://www.imnotfromhere.com

I just found this and it seems pretty good.

[alex1lake]

Hey, Robind, Thanks for sharing the website address, it does seem pretty good!

[pirate_lafitte]

I tend to have a streak of reserve in me, but lacking friendship would bother me. I like the quality in a friendship and if someone wants to join, that person better be of good quality.

[thetrailingspouse]

Just a quick insight from an outsider. My family and I have relocated 6 times: GA, FL, MI, VA, MN, now AR. My time in MN was by far the most lonely year of my life. I am an extremely social and friendly person, but meeting new people in Minneapolis was next to impossible. Not only did I have a difficult time, but my children (elementary, middle, and high) were miserable, lonely, and picked on because of their southern accents. The day we were offered another move, we jumped...thankfully. We have been in NW AR for 8 weeks now and literally have to schedule time off from our new "social" circles.
On the upside though, MN has great Target stores...not so much here in Wal-Mart land.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Out of all the permutations that someone can make in moving between two locations, I think moving from the South to Minnesota is just as bad as a Southerner moving to California. Sorry to hear you had a hard time up here and wish you the best in Arkansas.

[Lillietta]

[I have had a couple of people in our neighborhood say "hi" but that is as far as it goes

If you see/saw the movie Fargo, the man who plays the policewoman's (Frances McDormand's husband) is how I think of the typical Minnesota person. In anticipation of receiving flak for this remark, it is a stereotype with some truth, especially in the smaller towns.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Lillietta

[I have had a couple of people in our neighborhood say "hi" but that is as far as it goes

If you see/saw the movie Fargo, the man who plays the policewoman's (Frances McDormand's husband) is how I think of the typical Minnesota person. In anticipation of receiving flak for this remark, it is a stereotype with some truth, especially in the smaller towns.

In short, making friends in MN takes alot of work.

[michael1969]

Another way to meet people (as we have here in Long Isalnd) is thru your kids. Kids tend to be friendly to one another. We have often set up play dates, and then thru the kids have developed very good friendships with the parents. Does this happen in MN?

[sushigirlie]

Originally Posted by thetrailingspouse

Just a quick insight from an outsider. My family and I have relocated 6 times: GA, FL, MI, VA, MN, now AR. My time in MN was by far the most lonely year of my life. I am an extremely social and friendly person, but meeting new people in Minneapolis was next to impossible. Not only did I have a difficult time, but my children (elementary, middle, and high) were miserable, lonely, and picked on because of their southern accents. The day we were offered another move, we jumped...thankfully. We have been in NW AR for 8 weeks now and literally have to schedule time off from our new "social" circles.
On the upside though, MN has great Target stores...not so much here in Wal-Mart land.

I fully agree with you on Minnesota anti-social observation. Seeing that you've lived in six other places, you have credibility. I myself have lived in Minneapolis for 7 years and felt isolated for the most part.

I think that MN has great Target stores and their headquarters are also located in Minneapolis. But come on, Minneapolis is lacking non-chain individually owned stores and boutiques like Boston or NYC do .

[robind]

Sounds like the key is to make friends with other transplants.

Do you really want to hang out with people that still hang out with their elementary school friends? High School was great but I'd like to think I've moved on.

How boring to think I have friends and don't want to expand my circle or my life (or my mind). Skip over those folks. Find other transplants.

Look at imnotfromhere.com, meetup.com, newcomers groups and professional organizations. Look at clubs - running clubs, bike clubs, ski clubs, ...

It will take time. I've moved a lot. Meet people and make acquaintances. Friends will follow from there.

Starting with groups is easiest. Even if you don't have friends at least it's something to do.

I'm moving to MN next year. My worst fear isn't the winters or moving across or anything like that. It's making friends.

Good luck!