Submitted by reddituser6213 t3_z9rz1l in newhampshire
Does anyone know where to look? I’m so bored and I need to branch out
Everything on meetup seems to be for older people. And gymnastics, something I’m interested in, seems to only be for little kids around here. Same with the trampoline parks.
I’m looking for smoke buddies. I miss smoking with friends.
I've been struggling with this as well. I'm in southern NH and have been having trouble finding things to do. I'm big into volleyball and soccer but the the winter season seems to be rough for that. I have recently started going to a meetup at Boards and Brews on Tuesdays. Very nice people and a good time if you enjoy board games.
Board games can be pretty fun I’ll check that out
i joined a lot of FB Groups. I enjoy hiking and running and I groups like that specifically for Southern NH. They have a lot of meet ups. Also going to breweries they have events that are fun even if you dont drink. I know 603 brewery puts on events.
Thanks I’ll see what I can find
First. How old are you?
Almost 23
Oof I'm almost 24. I feel you
Yeah it’s a pain
What part of the state are you in?
Southern nh
Ah, maybe it's a bit better down there. I'm up in the Upper Valley
Yeah. I can see that being hard
It's not just you. I'm old and have tried putting groups together and get a lot of initial interest and ZERO participation when I put something in motion.
BUT!
Maybe you just need to be the one to put yourself out there and get something started.
I’ve considered taking that initiative but I’m not really the leader type. But maybe I can come up with something if I think hard enough
Where are you exactly? Me and some others run a meetup out of Manchester called 20s and 30s hanging out. That's the only kind of group that isn't old people lol! I haven't had time to schedule anything lately but it historically has been a very active group. If you like sports check out my social sports, I play a lot of soccer through there. I also go to young professionals networks such as the Manchester young professionals Even with this stuff yes I agree, new Hampshire is a very old population and most the people young are still recluses. It's hard being a social person and most people I meet would just rather stay home :(
I’m not far from Manchester. I’ll have to look into that group. What kind of stuff does the group usually do?
Right now I think it's just some hikes scheduled, sometimes it's trivia or Dave n busters or bowling. I try to host socials at breweries here and there.
Do you have a link?
Check out 20's & 30's Hanging Out https://meetu.ps/c/QQmx/DCrX0/d on Meetup
Moved to the seacoast about 12 years ago knowing nobody. First thing I did was join a men's basketball league. I've met a ton of people from my town through that. Look up adult/coed sports leagues to join in your area on the rec center site or http://www.mysocialsports.com/leagues. I also train BJJ where I've met alot of good friends that i hang out with outside of class. If BJJ isnt your thing i think crossfit or yoga would have similar results for meeting people. You can also join your town "official" or "unofficial" Facebook group and throw up a post of looking for people interested in "X". It feels awkward but don't be afraid to strike up conversations and put yourself out there, as adults i think we are overly cautious in putting ourselves out there.
I forget the name of it but theres an adult beach volleyball league around the portsmouth area. All young adults
I need to find that I love volleyball
I will always recommend learning a martial art! Brazilian jiu jitsu or boxing/kickboxing are great to start with. Averills in concord is fantastic, and I look back at my time there as one of the best things I ever did for myself!
If everything on meetup is not your age group, perhaps make one that is?
I’ve thought about it but I’m not really the leader type. I’m still considering it though
You really just show up at the same time periodically and people will show up if you are consistent.
I don't know about gymnastics specifically but My Social Sports has all kinds of sports leagues that run basically year round. My wife and I have done a handful of things through them, including softball, basketball, volleyball, and flag football and we have had good luck with the people involved.
And the leagues are pretty spread out, at least in southern NH. There's stuff in Portsmouth, Dover, Manchester, Nashua, etc.
Thanks I’ll check it out
There are young adults around here?
I see them around but I never know how they get such good social lives. I don’t get it
There's a lot of "NH born and breed" small town folks that still connect with and hang out with their childhood friends. If you're a new comer you're going to have to put in a little effort, I moved here from NC and found that having a routine helped.
If I go to the same small coffee shop, the same gym, the same grocery, eventually friendly people say hi and build friendships. Hobby groups are also terrific; I joined the local garden club and quickly was asked to be on the board, and made a ton of friends that way.
Where did you find these hobby groups? Did you look online? Because I can’t really find anything
The local newspaper actually has good stuff, you can usually grab a copy at your local coffee shop (not dunks but a mom and pop shop). Most towns have a community facebook page, posting there or searching there is also a good start.
They're all on my lawn, playing their rock and roll music too loud.
You can still have fun in trampoline parks as an adult. I always have a good time in the dodgeball arena at the one in Concord. Obviously, you gotta take it easy on the little ones but teenagers and up are fair play and some have a hell of an arm.
Do you go there by yourself?
Nah, I bring my kids.
Would you think it was weird if you saw a 23 year old guy going there alone?
23? Maybe not. To be fair, I am an older adult male so would probably be weird if I went alone. Maybe you have some younger nieces or nephews you could bring to make it less weird?
Another great spot is the Block Party Social in Hooksett. It is a huge arcade with axe throwing, laser tag, and rock wall climbing. They also have great food and a bar. That would be fine to go to alone as an adult and is always a blast.
I wish I had someone to go with but unfortunately I don’t. I take a look at block party social thoigj
Some of them do adult days/nights
That would be perfect. Do you know which ones?
I know the one in Portsmouth used to but it looks like it closed down a bit ago. But knowing thats a thing it might be worth calling and asking some of the places still open if they do anything like that!
MBA out of Manchester, I don’t personally partake but I’ve come to know the owner, super awesome guy, runs a mens basketball league with many many positive reviews.
I have been in a bowling league and a golf league, I am bad at both but it was still fun and I got to meet a lot of nice people
It's not exactly the same as gymnastics, but rock climbing is a great way to both meet people and get some exercise. https://verticaldreams.com/ has an adult climbing club.
Thanks I’ll look into it
Cambridge, MA has a community gymnastics club that trains at the MIT gym. I don't know how far a commute that is for you though, but I really enjoyed my time doing gymnastics there.
That’s probably over an hour commute for me but that does sound interesting. Maybe I can put up with it. I suppose people have had to deal with longer commutes before
I was on the team for 4 years, so if you have any questions about the gym or the community lmk.
Are there mainly young adults there in the club?
On the MIT team, definitely. It's about half grad students and half undergrads.
On the Cambridge Community Gymnastics (CCG) team it skews ~slightly older, but still I think most members are under 35 or so, and there are definitely plenty of 20-somethings. I list both because they share the space a lot, and CCG practices would frequently overlap with the last 30min of the MIT team practice.
I can also guarantee it's a very beginner friendly space and many participants have zero experience. Going to competitions is encouraged (and fun!) but definitely not required.
The commute might get old over time, but if adult gymnastics is something you're interested in I'd recommend giving it a shot for at least a few weeks and meet the people to see if you vibe with them.
Is it expensive?
Uh oh, bad news....
I just checked again, looks like CCG actually went out of business back in 2020 after Covid hit 😬. Sorry about the false hope and sad to hear the news.
Dammit. This happened with another place I was interested in too
A judo club is a good idea! There are some awesome cheap ones around, UNH has a club. I’m starting next week, also looking to meet people!
Do you have to be enrolled in the college to go to that club?
I think you have to be a student to participate in UNH clubs, but there’s a solid club in Sanbornton called Shinzan Judo Club.
visited the Judo club in Sanborton. The Shihan has 60 years practicing, old school atmosphere, and really really cheap: $40 a month! Classes are 1:30h long, unlike commercial schools (those offer what, 45 to 60 min?)
Indoor Soccer leagues for adults at Bow Fieldhouse: https://www.fieldhousesports.com
Thanks I’ll take a look
What are your interests? Would you find book clubs interesting? Young professional organizations? Church/fellowship groups? Board games? If you have a band instrument gathering dust there are community bands looking for fresh blood. Ditto for community singing groups. Meetup isn't the end-all-be-all; try posting in one of your community's FB groups or checking library and grocery store bulletin boards to see if any events are posted. Sometimes it's just a matter of coming across an advertisement for Group X and seeing if they could use a new member.
I’m interested in the trampoline parks ,oddly specific I know. Snowboarding looks fun but I don’t really have enough money for that. Basically anything active/athletic I am interested in
Hiking has a big following in the state, check it out
Winter sports can be cheap if you find gear on fb marketplace and go to resorts like pats peak on cheap days to get started!
Try disc golf. Huge community in NH, tons of leagues and tournaments. Even winter leagues.
I go with my daughter and I probably have more fun than her
Darn I wish I had someone to go with
How old are you?
Climbing gyms around colleges are a great place to meet people in your 20s.
But, yes. Finding friends in NH outside of a school setting is notoriously difficult as an adult.
Almost 23. Climbing gym sounds pretty cool I’ll look around
I'm 32. I had a good time at Indoor Ascent in Dover. UNH has a climbing gym too, not sure if non-students can go but maybe try?
23 is a solid age for the area.
Jeez. Thinking about it some of the kids who were climbing there are probably your age now. There were definitely a bunch of early teens who climbed there all the time when I went in my 20s, so they'd be around your age now...
I feel old.
I feel so old at indoor ascent. I've got 15 years on you.
But it's a great place, would recommend it to anyone.
To them OP, the UNH gym is open to non-students, but maybe try a day pass first. I bought a couple months there because I wanted to boulder when the Dover gym was closed. The UNH wall is pretty underwhelming and I was always the only one there.
I can recommend some art places if you're interested in classes!
Sounds interesting what would you recommend?
Climbing gym, amc hiking club, if you are near the coast- surfing
If you can find a place tangentially related to an activity you’re interested in (outdoor store, game shop, etc), you can usually find folks who are always down to include others in activities. That’s kinda how I made friends through mountain biking. Granted I still spend a decent amount of time with dudes older than me, but I’ll take it. I’d also check Facebook for groups in your area for activities you like. You may not find folks around your age, but it’s a start.
Its just difficult to find young adults here. NH has one of the highest average ages in the nation. It's one big retirement community.
Yeah it definitely feels like it sometimes
New Hampshire’s most valuable export is people under the age of 50.
Where is "here"?
Southern New Hampshire area
I'm in upstate, NY and also feel this problem :/ I lived the majority of my twenties in NYC and the amount or adult classes you could take were plentiful. It kind of sucks, but I also love living in the country now..
What part of NH?
Southern nh
Try game shops or local libraries for d&d groups! Most love to show people how to play and it's a great way to make new friends
Figure skating clubs. Most figure skating clubs have an adult learners session, and they have them at most indoor rinks. Not saying you will meet a lot of young folks there, but there will be friendly adults and it's a good way to spend an hour or three every week.
I'd say it is difficult, especially if you're a transplant. My best successes have been mingling with gym regulars over time and buddy hikes. With hiking, most of the people who have become friends are 20-30+ years older than I am. They know what they want from their hobbies, and they're very dependable with scheduling and being on time!
Other comments mentioning joining a local group or sport, the best way of befriending locals is just being around consistently. It can take a while, but everyone is really nice. The phrase "fast friend" hasn't been a thing for me out here unless I meet other transplants. Good luck!
Church?
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted
He said he wants friends, not sexual assault.
Too many younger people are addicted to the electronic dopamine dispensers that never leave their hands.
Those pesky kids and their gameboys!
Or we just aren't alcoholics
Yeah it seems like the only thing people my age do around here is go to bars. I mean is that really it??
Vegetable_Medium_458 t1_iyj1nwh wrote
25 year old up in the white mountains , cut off all my old friends because they liked drinking and doing coke more than my friendship, I smoke weeds and don’t have an issue with those who drink I just find myself not sure how to meet make friends cause I don’t go to bars and by plural I mean the TWO near me, I’m not antisocial I was front of house at the busiest bar In Manchester you know the one or you don’t lol, I came up for work here and ended up lonely af I play warzone if anyones interested in that