Socialising and meeting new people??

[new2ED2013]

Hi Everyone,

I have moved closer to ED and away from my home town to be closer to my business.

I am a young person and have to say I am feeling rather isolated. I have a long term partner but he seems to be the only person I socialise with on a weekly basis. After finishing my college studies as an adult learner, I made a few great friends who I meet up with every few weeks and old School friends but rather sadly, many of those I used to call my friends seemed to drift away as I was moving in another direction to them. Many of them are still living in a bedroom at their parents or are very heavy drinkers who constantly enjoy the Croydon Clubbing scene, which just isn't my cup of tea!

I am a very diverse person and what someone does for a living or where they live makes no difference to me but unfortunately those I called my friends were not so diverse and when I started to move on with my life and grow up, they didn't take too kindly to that and I decided to cut myself off from certain people.

Now I am living here I would like to make some new, genuine friends that I can enjoy a wine with or go to shows etc. I don't really know where to start and it can be quite difficult for a young girl to meet other women these Days.

Many thanks

C

[fatcats]

It is really difficult in London, I think. Luckily, you are living in a really good place to meet people- just check out the What's On in East Dulwich section there are all kinds of sports activities, book clubs, language nights etc & there is the "Meet New People in East Dulwich" meet-ups. I think the fact that there are all these activities demonstrates that you live in a good community where people are open to the idea of meeting other like-minded people. I really wish I had moved somewhere like East Dulwich when I first came to London.

You could also check out www.meetup.com, there are loads of similar events and things on there.

[new2ED2013]

Hello,

Thanks ill try meet up.com and see what its like. My only concern about just going to events around the area is that its still difficult to speak to people and I feel strange attending such things on my own :-/. Im not an shy person but its not really the "done thing" if that makes sense. I was wondering if there's any regular local meet ups for single people but not in a dating sense. Ill have a look in the meet new people section, thank you!

[fatcats]

Hi again

I know a few people who have gone to these social things on their own and they are not strange or anything! What do you have to lose? If you try one out and find that everyone is actually weird or that everyone thinks you're weird (which they wont) then don't go back; it's that simple really, I doubt you'll bump into the people again and if you do say something came up at work. Remember there are a lot of people who move to London after uni or from other countries who find themselves in a similar boat to you.

Just to clarify, it's not a meeting new people section, it's the What on in East Dulwich section and within that there is a Meet new people in East Dulwich group that meets up.

[Jeremy]

fatcats is right, the best way to meet people is via some sort of activity. As well as sports and book clubs, you could try one the local choirs (they sing show tunes and stuff, sounds like it may be up your street).

There's a local baking club called the Band Of Bakers, which is apparently very sociable and fairly 'young'.

If you like the idea of getting/keeping fit, you could try British military fitness.

[Ilovemywhippet]

...

[fatcats]

I guess a lot of people your age may still be at uni which may makes things more difficult. Maybe via meetup it may be easier to meet a younger crowd. I think the best thing would be just to try things out and if they work, they work, and if they don't, they don't. I don't think you'll ever regret giving things a try.

Good luck anyway, whatever you decide. I know it can be isolating in London sometimes so I hope you find a way to meet people that works for you.

Have a lovely xmas and New Year.

[Gidget]

I think there is a local branch of WI (Women's Institute) somewhere in the area. Type it into the search box at upper right hand corner. There are also groups of 'crafty' people, knitters etc. People who like curries meet every so often and there is a thread on that. Am sure this thread will fill up with suggestions as various people see it.

[new2ED2013]

Hi,

Thanks for your input everyone. Band of Bakers sounds interesting and I enjoy cooking. The choir however I'm sorry to say is certainly not very "me". I like going to the pub, enjoying a few drinks and more than anything just having a good time with people. My life for a young person is quite serious what with getting my flat, running the business and my partner being a fair bit older than myself, so I am trying to get away from the formal and "adult" things if that makes sense.

Dont get me wrong I enjoy an older crowd most of the time, its great to talk about work and having decent convos, less trouble than tigers in Croydon haha but I have to admit, I miss the "younger scene". With my partner being older and him being a very sociable man with a wealth of friends, pretty much everyone ive socialised with in the past year have been in their thirties, give or take a few years and while I really get on with people of any age and made some great friends like that, ive realised now that what im lacking is a bit of immaturity and fun in my life that I missed out on at 18/ 19, now im 20 im young enough to still do it, without getting to 30 and doing it then.

Id love to get into something constructive and active but for now I need to just at least meet a few new younger faces to build friendships with. I am a very loyal friend, which is probably what caused me problems in the past! I enjoy the serious stuff as well as having a good giggle about absolutely pointless topics! Me and my partner would both like to meet new faces in the area, individually and together so we can invite people other for nibbles and drinks, have more people to go out with other than the usual crowd as were trying to get away from the same old :-).

Id love to organise a woman's only evening at a local bar or restaurant to get to know people. I know there are things I could join but it would also be nice to organise one as everyone will be in the same boat, rather than going along to something where the majority of people will be attending with company.

[LondonMix]

The meet-ups at the What's On Section are your best bet. The crowd is relatively young and you will meet people closer to your age. Just give it a go.