lonely couple :) (Dallas, Carrollton, Grapevine: homeowners association, neighborhood, college)

[michelle4501]

So my boyfriend and I recently moved to Dallas after we both graduated from college....we both have "real jobs" and know basically no one in the area! We are in the uptown area and getting a bit lonely...haha. Any advice on good ways to meet people around our age would be appreciated!


(Sorry if this has already been asked..)

[subijmt]

Well, you posted just a little too late from the sounds of things. The Cherry Pit in Duncanville just got shut down

Just kidding.

We are in the same boat. We have lived in the area for coming up on two years and still haven't really connected with very many "friends". It seems like this area is just harder to meet people. Everyone is just too busy to acknowledge you. That, and the fact that we live way up north away from everything fun thats going on.

[sonshinelife]

Hope this is taken with good intent... I have many friends at work in their twenties and many of them that have moved here from other states find that the local churches (usually larger) offer a way for them to meet others outside of work.

Prestonwood Baptist, Park Cities Presby, Providence Presby (I think this is correct), Park Cities Baptist, Fellowship (Grapevine) and I think there is one in the Downtown area, Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, Highland Park Methodist... these are just some of the churches I've heard mentioned lately, that they are attending, and many for these very reasons you mention... wanting to make friends in a new area.

Good luck!

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by subijmt

Well, you posted just a little too late from the sounds of things. The Cherry Pit in Duncanville just got shut down

Just kidding.

We are in the same boat. We have lived in the area for coming up on two years and still haven't really connected with very many "friends". It seems like this area is just harder to meet people. Everyone is just too busy to acknowledge you. That, and the fact that we live way up north away from everything fun thats going on.

Too busy to acknowledge you?

It's probably not a good idea to approach people when they're preoccupied. When I'm halfway finished with mowing my lawn, or getting frustrated trying to fix my car... those are not good times to walk up to me and start chatting. If I'm watching a mystery on TV and you call to shoot the breeze just before I find out who done it, I'm not going to be very accommodating.

[FarNorthDallas]

Consider folks you work with. Join a church in that area. Join a club or a political organization or other group. Go to the same restaurants or Starbucks or whatever and become a regular. You can meet folks that way. How about neighbors? College alum or football watching groups that support teams from your former home? Homeowners association funtions? Season tickets at the Mavs. You'll sit by the same people every game. Use online groups to meet folks in real life.

[DallasDreamer]

My husband and I just moved here. I figured it takes significant time and effort to make friends, so this has been our plan (which somewhat mirrors what FND said):

1. Join interest organizations and stick with them for a while (we started going to the "Young Sierrans" group and a discussion group... also thinking of finding a sports league for casual matches)

2. Look for groups on Meetup.com (there are so many meetups around here!)

3. Take an interest in people around us (work, neighborhood), maybe join the neighborhood association. Do volunteer work.

4. If none of that works after a year or so, we will consider joining a UU church.

Especially if you're used to the seemingly ready-made social groups that can form in college, all these activities can seem artificial and awkward. But I think this is the main way to find friends if you aren't a big church goer.

Good luck!

[galore]

Or you could just make love and have a baby or two or three. That'll cure the loneliness.

[FarNorthDallas]

Originally Posted by galore

Or you could just make love and have a baby or two or three. That'll cure the loneliness.

Then those "couples" friends you've worked hard to make will all drop off by the wayside anyway once you have kids. Then your friends will be parents of your children''s friends.

[subijmt]

Originally Posted by aceplace

Too busy to acknowledge you?

It's probably not a good idea to approach people when they're preoccupied. When I'm halfway finished with mowing my lawn, or getting frustrated trying to fix my car... those are not good times to walk up to me and start chatting. If I'm watching a mystery on TV and you call to shoot the breeze just before I find out who done it, I'm not going to be very accommodating.

It just seems that the general public makes it a point to be cold and impersonal. There are a lot of good people out there, you just have to be nice to everyone and show them that it is ok to still care about other people. It just took awhile to get used to this area because of the difference in attitude.

[GayleTX]

Young couples all over the country are having a great time meeting people and learning important things at the same time through the "Rich Dad Poor Dad" clubs. They meet on a regular basis and play the "Cash Flow Game". There are dozens of the groups all over the metroplex and lots of other cities, too. Nobody is selling anything.....it's just learning to manage and invest your money and they have lots of fun playing the game and learning together. I know of one group in Carrollton that has done remarkably well.

If you are interested in locating one, you might ask at a nearby bookstore (Barnes/Noble, etc). You'd need to read the book first, get familiar with the game, then maybe scout around for a group you'd enjoy being with. If you are interested and can't find a list of groups, I might can locate a list for you from someone I know.