I've seen a few of these posts recently and as a fellow new-ish, 28 year old female transplant working from home, I keep wondering if we should all just... mutually meet at Seven Stars sometime? Would anyone be down for real? I'm happy to plan and pull people into a dm!

26, moved here across the country 2 years ago, didn't know a soul, peak covid, working remote. I still want to make more friends but I've made a lot of them since those lonely mid-quarantine days. Heres my 2 cents:

Lots of people are in the same boat. Which is encouragement, but it's also useful info. Look for places that will filter for people who are also looking to get into the community. Like if you tried to socialize with a random person on the street, they might be pretty full up, and not particularly interested in a friendship. But if you chatted someone up in (for example) a church event, the vibe is that they're likely to be very friendly and quick to make plans together. Look for community spaces like that; where there are hotbeds for social formation.

Find a reason to go to the same place over and over again. It takes months (or years) to get established, and accepting the fact that it will be gradual opens a lot of doors, compared to trying to force immediate connections. I know people here who used bumble bff to make meaningful connections, though imo it seems spotty. The strategy I've found, and continue to do, is to just see the same people in public over and over again until conversation sparks (which is in itself a skill that takes a lot of bravery/effort to enact). I've found out the relevant term for those public spaces is a "Third Place." Keep an eye out for places where people are naturally drawn there or doing an activity, and also sorta socialize and form a community as a biproduct. So gyms, parks, shared workspaces, art collectives (like The Steel Yard), some libraries and bars, etc. Find an excuse to go there regularly and then let yourself be social.

For me, the spaces I've had a lot of success with are 7 Stars, and hanging out at the dog park. Also prioritizing walking over driving makes you bump into a lot more people. And honestly even if talking with strangers at the park doesn't lead anywhere (which in my experience it does), it really makes the day better to just have brief, surface level positive interactions with people. Good luck, catch me on Broadway!

28F and host DnD and a book club. Send me a dm if you’re interested. 🙂

I moved here about a year ago and have met some great people so far through specific exercise or art-based activities. In particular, going climbing at Rock Spot or Central Rock, participating in the monthly PVD Bike Jam rides through the city, and doing improv (Improv pig has beginner classes that are great) helped me meet the most people, compared to just going to a bar and hoping to meet someone there.

Also, the Providence pedestrian bridge is a great place to strike up conversations when there are art markets or other events happening there. It’s free, there’s nice views and seating areas, and it’s a highly visible public place. At the very least by hanging out there you’ll see some cute dogs :)

Also also, I heard there’s a free art tour every third Thursday that leaves from the graduate hotel downtown. That could be a fun way to travel around the city and meet new people, not sure what the age range would be though

I just moved here too - 23M- I found its easiest to strike a convo with someone at a bar around the jewelery district area. I've been to GPub and Sarto so far

Omg I (23F) might be moving to providence in the next month or so for a job too, if you’re still looking for a gym buddy I’d be down!!

Beer on earth run club every Thursday @6

I recently moved down here from Boston as well a couple months ago and haven’t quite fully gotten out to meet people. My job is hybrid but can do most of it from home. I’m down to hang out and catch movies/try restaurants, etc. 35/m here