Best way to meet people in their young 20s (Phoenix: apartment, homes)

[NytoPhx]

I moved out here to Tempe only knowing one person, and really have not came across too many other people in their young 20s. I'm talking young professionals and grad student age. I've met a few people at my apartment, and a few at my job, but I would think Tempe and Scottsdale would be swarming with young adults. This isn't the type of area where you can just walk outside and meet people, but if anybody else has suggestions let me know. I've found it very difficult to meet people here so far. Perhaps, it is because it is the summer, or that is what I like to keep telling myself.

[BlackSweat]

Either meet them at work or get involved with something. My first step to meeting people was through my alumni group, then it is just networking. The Valley is an extraordinarily flakey place to me, being in my mid 20s. Friendships seem casual and fleeting, and many people "go home" after a year or two because they are homesick or miss their families after the initial gleam of the valley has worn off.

[shiphead]

I met my girlfriend on yahoo personals. I've tried bars and clubs, nothing but useless people at these places. You could always try approaching someone you find attractive in real life. One girl did that to me and i loved it. An awesome different experience

[NytoPhx]

Yeah it just seems like, with my age group, everybody is here temporarily - just got here, and doesn't know if they'll be here long. I feel this can be a great area to settle down in, but I seem to be at an intermediate age.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

Yeah it just seems like, with my age group, everybody is here temporarily - just got here, and doesn't know if they'll be here long. I feel this can be a great area to settle down in, but I seem to be at an intermediate age.

You will have to find a girl who feels much like the way you do about this city/area, then you can build a relationship with that person.

Find a person who feels and thinks alike but I agree, meeting someone who is sound and stable in their 20s will be a challenge regardless.
You will have to network like others mentioned, join a social club that shares your interest and if you run into a lady while doing something you like, then you know you share something in common and that is a very good starting point (common interest).

Good luck!

[joninaz]

It can take a little while to meet like minded folk, especially in the summer, but seek out those with shared interests. Some are online, such as Meet Up groups. A lot of scenes go somewhat dormant until the fall weather, so patience is key. That said, there is stuff going on all over town, depending on what you seek. So feel free to share any specific interests... art, sports, lounging by the pool, etc. And yes, there are some regular pool lounging scenes around the Valley that one can partake in and they are not at private homes so you don't need an invite.

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

I moved out here to Tempe only knowing one person, and really have not came across too many other people in their young 20s. I'm talking young professionals and grad student age. I've met a few people at my apartment, and a few at my job, but I would think Tempe and Scottsdale would be swarming with young adults. This isn't the type of area where you can just walk outside and meet people, but if anybody else has suggestions let me know. I've found it very difficult to meet people here so far. Perhaps, it is because it is the summer, or that is what I like to keep telling myself.

Hey find me a job and i'll be your buddy! Remeber that it's downtime there right now...Be patient....School's just around the corner! Go buy a ASU football opening game ticket right now....that place is swarming with lil hotties! Having said that, lower your expectations with respects to your social life i.e. number of worthy restaurants, clubs, etc....its not like NY or CHI where the social magnets are dime a dozen and we have more options...you could probably count on one hand the places that are worth eating and hanging out at. Hey, I heard that if you're from big cities like NY CHI or LA, the strip clubs are worth going to since its very cheap and if you tell the strippers that you're from NYC, they get all starry eyed are super nice although, Im not sure the drama is worth the payoff!

Or wait til I get there....

[Elyse Margardino]

I would suggest joining some meetup groups. Once you go to the meetup website you can search groups in the Valley catering to Singles, New Residents of AZ, sports interests etc. Great way to branch out and meet new people

[synapse]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

I moved out here to Tempe only knowing one person, and really have not came across too many other people in their young 20s. I'm talking young professionals and grad student age. I've met a few people at my apartment, and a few at my job, but I would think Tempe and Scottsdale would be swarming with young adults. This isn't the type of area where you can just walk outside and meet people, but if anybody else has suggestions let me know. I've found it very difficult to meet people here so far. Perhaps, it is because it is the summer, or that is what I like to keep telling myself.

I hate to tell you this, but while the fact that it's summer is a factor, it's not just that. The problem is that Phoenix - unlike most big cities - just has very few "hang out" places like bars, Central Park, Millenium Park, the lakefront, etc. in, say, New York or Chicago. The new civic park downtown and the light rail's development may help some of that, as will Scottsdale and Tempe's development downtown, but it's still spotty.

Tempe and Scottsdale do have more 20 somethings around, particularly as winter approaches, but it still doesn't have that social atmosphere of New York or Chicago (worse, a lot of the 20somethings tend to move *from* Phoenix *to* New York and Chicago, have fun, get married, then move back in their 30's, when it doesn't help you very much.)

That said, you might google the Meetup groups in Phoenix - those are popular among young adults, join a sports club or church/synagogue, go to First Fridays in Downtown Phoenix, the social events sponsored by the Art Museum, and join Ignite Phoenix, which is a cooperative of young adults trying to make Phoenix more urban and livable (if you google them, their site will come up. They're a fun group.)

[Finger Laker]

there are tons of places here to meet people - they're just not centralized

get involved and open yourself up - invite friends from work over to grill out and have a party, have them invite a friend

organize a happy hour

use the internet, etc

lots of people in the metro - lots of young people moving in - if you have any ties to education there will be a brand new crop of midwestern recent grads who are coming down here because teaching jobs cannot be found back home .......... all in the same position of not knowing anyone

people down here can be flakes ..... it can be very transient - but just enjoy it for what it is ....... i've found my best friends down here are people who grew up down here, while a lot of my acquantainces are those who pop in and out