Making friends in DC for 20's and 30's (houses, college) - City-Data Forum

doglover29 · 11-06-2007, 07:34 AM

Hi,

My husband and I are newcomers to DC, and are in the late 20's/early 30's age group.

We moved here not knowing a single person, and we had never been to DC before we moved here. How do you make friends here when you don't know anyone to introduce you to others? We've been here over a year, and have made one or two acquaintances, but no real friends. Our jobs aren't a good source of potential friendships, as we both work in small departments with no one under the age of 50 working there. We have joined many social groups of a variety of types, but those haven't worked out in terms of making friends, though we enjoy going to them. Part of the problem with these social groups, I believe, is that most people going to them are single, and are not necessarily looking to make a new friend.

Since we're not into the bar scene, that's not an option for us, and we're not sure how to meet potential friends in the mid-20's to late 30's age range for friendship. It's not that people aren't friendly here--I think that when you move to any new place and don't know anyone, it's tough to make new friends from scratch. It seems that everyone already has enough friends (at least that's what it seems like to us).

Any advice would be appreciated!

kristuke · 11-06-2007, 10:51 AM

Welcome to my most favorite town in the US,
I absolutely love DC ! And I all I can say people are very nice there, at least the ones that I have met or made friends with. Good luck in settling in and here is a very good resource for both of you:
Meetup: World's largest community of local Meetups, clubs and groups!
Let me know how that goes !
Best Regards,
K.

ReefAreCoolToo · 11-06-2007, 10:57 AM

hah..i feel ya...i moved from Raleigh, NC to Baltimore MD almost a year now...we have not meet any friend yet..my wife and I...sigh
I have some friends in DC though..they live in them boat home

Brillig · 11-06-2007, 11:19 AM

You just need to ask and answer the only relevant question in DC:

So, what do you DO?

It's all about networking.

doglover29 · 11-06-2007, 01:39 PM

Networking wouldn't work for us b/c we're in jobs where networking is not necessary.

We've joined tons of groups but find that people seem to be there for the activity, and not necessarily to make friends.

I'm wondering if there are any particular groups people can recommend, that have lots of newcomers?

Thanks!

Tuneful · 11-06-2007, 04:05 PM

I have not found this area to be easy socially, either, and I hear I am considered someone nice to know. All I can conjure is that people are so devoted to their jobs and it takes so much to just get the basic things done, deal with all the traffic, etc., that people don't have much energy left over. Maybe it's partly that a lot of people feel they will be here a brief while and so they don't make the investment. I know a few people who met a few friends through their work. Also, did you go to a college or uni with an alumni association here?
This problem isn't unique to the DC area, though. I was born in Boston and lived a long time in New England, and boy can the yankees be clannish and closed.
Houses of worship, meditation, etc., if you are at all inclined that way, can offer one avenue. Dancing (whether contra, swing, ballroom, etc.--lessons are easy to find if needed) is very big around here and if you go to one place consistently, that can be a friendly scene.

Kensington · 11-06-2007, 04:15 PM

I think a lot of people make friends through work and networking activities.

What about your neighbors? Have you invited them over? I second the idea of alumni groups, many have very active chapters in DC. Church may also work, but make sure to find one that has a young congregation. If you are Catholic, St. Mathews in DC is one church to check into.

kristuke · 11-07-2007, 02:02 PM

Well, if there are so many newcomers to DC, then does it mean that everybody enjoys being by themselves/lonely??? Does not sound right to me. Unless people like chit-chatting at random places (bars, lounges, etc ) and then they go home.
Friends through work - must agree - that is a starter point. Not so sure about church.
Plus it takes time - I came to the US eight years ago from Europe. Must admit - took me quiet a few years to make some good friends.