Meeting Friends (fit in, house, preschools)

[Alexandria 23]

So my fiancee and I are trying to meet new people! I moved here from Chicago and have no friends and am having such a difficult time meeting them! My fiancee and I are mature for our ages (we're 23 and own a house and our getting married in June) we just want to meet people that our like us and want to hang out and have a good time! My financee finished college and works in Chicago and I am currently enrolled in college and have about a year till I am done however everyone that I meet there is either super young or I have nothing in common with them.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to meet people!!!

Thanks

[LIS123]

Unfortunately, this is not the best place for young people to live and meet new people. While NWI is close to Chicago, the vibe of the place is quite different.
You'll have to keep in mind that many people in your age group living here now have been living here for a long time (their whole lives, in many cases). Thus, a lot of people have their social networks set up. Based on your comments, you may not fit in with a lot of locals around your age. A lot of people around this age (and much older) will still be living at home.
There are bars (Sheffield's, Cavanaugh's, Woodhollow, Corkers), but you may or may not meet people there who you'll remain friends with.
Can you provide some more information on where you live and your interests?
It's possible, but this is not the best place to accomplish your goal of meeting new people.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by LIS123

Unfortunately, this is not the best place for young people to live and meet new people. While NWI is close to Chicago, the vibe of the place is quite different.
You'll have to keep in mind that many people in your age group living here now have been living here for a long time (their whole lives, in many cases). Thus, a lot of people have their social networks set up. Based on your comments, you may not fit in with a lot of locals around your age. A lot of people around this age (and much older) will still be living at home.
There are bars (Sheffield's, Cavanaugh's, Woodhollow, Corkers), but you may or may not meet people there who you'll remain friends with.
Can you provide some more information on where you live and your interests?
It's possible, but this is not the best place to accomplish your goal of meeting new people.

That makes me quite nervous as I am beginning my first steps of migration to NWI from W NY... you go to a bar here and you have made friends, contacts... are people just not as welcoming?

[LIS123]

They're probably no less welcoming. It's just that the demographic is not very similar to urban areas. I've gone to bars around here, but haven't tried that hard to meet people. You're not going to have the same types of social groups (like on meetup.com for example) as you have in Chicago proper.
Maybe I should rephrase what I said in the sense that NWI may not be the easiest place to meet people. You'll succeed if you try hard enough, but you'll have to go out of your way.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by LIS123

They're probably no less welcoming. It's just that the demographic is not very similar to urban areas. I've gone to bars around here, but haven't tried that hard to meet people. You're not going to have the same types of social groups (like on meetup.com for example) as you have in Chicago proper.
Maybe I should rephrase what I said in the sense that NWI may not be the easiest place to meet people. You'll succeed if you try hard enough, but you'll have to go out of your way.

I am either thickheaded or it is a Chicago thing... have no clue what meetup.com is... sounds like match.com and that is of no interest... Am I off base? Are there many networking groups? Clubs that are popular? There must be ways- besides volunteering. What about fitness clubs, rec classes? Are there many options? I find taking classes at these places helps you meet people...especially if you are a regular at the class...

[Capt. Dan]

Have you thought about meeting people at church?

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by skbs

That makes me quite nervous as I am beginning my first steps of migration to NWI from W NY... you go to a bar here and you have made friends, contacts... are people just not as welcoming?

I would think there's a huge difference between twentysomething's without kids and parents with kids - I think you said in another post that you have two, right?

In my early 20's, I met new friends through work/school. After kids, and after we moved here to Valpo, I met all my friends through them. I don't think you'll have a problem at all.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by skbs

That makes me quite nervous as I am beginning my first steps of migration to NWI from W NY... you go to a bar here and you have made friends, contacts... are people just not as welcoming?

If you have kids, you can easily meet people through parent groups/preschools/going to the park.

I remember before we had kids, we built a house in the burbs of Chicago and we were the only people without kids on the block ... guess what, nobody wanted anything to do with us. But boy, once we had kids ...

Sorry Alex, it's tough in NWI if you don't already have friends or family in the area.

[LIS123]

Meetup.com is not a dating site. It's a site for people in the same area with similar interests to form groups and, on occasion, meetup in person. For example, there maybe
an NYC Yoga lovers group, etc.

I agree with the previous post that NWI can be tough without previously established friends and family in the area. That's typical of areas that have a high percentage of people raised in the area. Places that draw people from all over (NYC, DC, etc) are going to be much more conducive to meeting others.

[skbs]

I am happy to hear kids help the move... I would hate to make the jump with kids in tow and it be difficult for all of us.