Chandler, hard to meet new friends at my age? (Gilbert: first time home buyer, transfer)

[clc08]

I am a female baby boomer starting over after a long term failed marriage . I have an opportunity to move there to Chandler and only know a few people.

Normally people get to meet other people through their kids or school activities or things like that but that won't be the case for me and I'm worried that I may have trouble fitting in there .

Where does someone go to make new friends? I am certainly not talking about a boyfriend, I'm just talking about meeting up with some people are having lunch once in a while , that kind of thing. I did see that Chandler has a senior center and I am an avid swimmer so maybe the gym would be a place to start ? Or I could volunteer somewhere? I am a registered nurse but I don't have a license in Arizona but I suppose I could volunteer in some capacity . Any ideas? I have a feeling that Chandler is more for family oriented younger people raising families and I'm worried .

[asufan]

Sun Lakes is probably where you want to be. Adjacent to Chandler on the South.

[yukon]

I'm a female boomer and the LAST place I'd want to be is Sun Lakes I prefer being in a group of mixed aged singles, not just old farts like me

OP, check out Meetup. There are quite a few singles groups in the Metro. There are groups for over 50, over 60, and groups with a mix of ages. Singles in Gilbert (they have events in Gilbert and Chandler) is having a mixer with two other Meetup singles groups this month:

https://www.meetup.com/Singlesingilb...nts/267306747/

You might also want to check out these Meetup groups:

https://www.meetup.com/CWSG2006/

https://www.meetup.com/having-fun-in-az/



There are a lot of Meetup groups in the metro, with all sorts of interests. Check 'em out!

[observer53]

A co worker of mine met a lot of people through Meetup groups, so I second that recommendation. Now that I'm retired, I may try it myself. There are tons of volunteer opportunities in the east Valley, too.

[clc08]

Thanks for the responses and the Meetup group ideas are great!

[KurtAZ]

Yeah, try the Meetup groups and I believe there is a "Over 40 Single Friends" group here in Chandler that meets regularly...kind of a coffee/brunch group. If you are religious, the church groups are another place. Check out any classes you might be interested taking in the Chandler BreakTime. The Library hosts a couple of groups for Retirees as well.

While there are a lot of families in Chandler, there are a lot of Snowbirds and Retirees as well.

OTOH...and you have probably checked this out, but you may be able to easily transfer your Nursing license to AZ. The compact states recently expanded of maybe check with the nursing board to see what it would take to move it to AZ. May just have to take the NCLEX again?

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

you may be able to easily transfer your Nursing license to AZ. The compact states recently expanded of maybe check with the nursing board to see what it would take to move it to AZ. May just have to take the NCLEX again?

My wife transferred her license from a compact state. She did not have to do any testing, but the process is not something I'd call easy. As I recall it took something like 4-6 months. The licensing office is often non-responsive. It's a long story, but at any rate I wouldn't recommend bothering unless one really needs the license.

Her experience is not an anomaly. She has several friends who transferred from the same state and all had to wait months. One was getting so desperate that she had to ask for an advance on her salary from the employer who had already given her a job offer. Thankfully, they agreed.

[LS Jaun]

I know a guy who circulated with a wine tasting group, on Facebook. It was a mixed group from 30s to 70. Looked like a fun group if that's your thing.

[PhureeKeeper]

Hi OP, welcome to Chandler and welcome to the C-D forum. I'm not clear if you're in Chandler already? I've been in Chandler for 28 years and divorced for the past 7. I live in the same house among a mixed bag of families, first time home buyers, empty nesters and retirees. I am friendly with my neighbors and feel comfortable. Love the area (Andersen Springs).

If you're thinking of volunteering there is a place that helped out my elderly neighbor called About Care.
This seemed like a really nice organization and it's geared toward giving support to seniors. They don't provide medical care, but it might be a fit for you with your RN background.
Not sure where the option to insert hyperlinks went to but it's: www.aboutcare.org

There are plenty of things to do here, it just depends on what your interests are.
Good luck!

[Rickcin]

I really don’t think it’s a function of where you live but rather how you live your life!

You need to do things, get involved and live your life to the fullest and you will meet lots of people by default. You need to cross many paths and then hone in on the ones you feel would be the best suited for you. The ones that share your likes and are enjoyable ones to be around. As others have said, volunteering is a great way to meet quality individuals and after moving to Virginia several years ago, I can personally attest to that. I currently volunteer at two different organizations and have met some really good individuals.
There are not many undesirables that volunteer, as far as I know or have seen.

Volunteering might be one way to meet others, however if you are getting out there and do things you enjoy, that is the key, IMO.