Recently moved to Providence from Boston for a new job and trying to make new friends in the city! I'd put myself in a category of young professionals, but am widely open to mingling with any type of people! I did a little bit of research and read old Reddit posts which mainly suggested finding groups at Meetup or Bumble BFF. It also seems like people on Reddit actually tried to meet up. Did it really transfer to offline meet-ups?

If so, I'd love to join or even start a new group! I was told making friends in mid-20s-30s is really hard, but never realized it until now; it indeed is.

Is anyone interested in making new friends to hang out with on the weekend? I'm 27 female - Working out together, exploring bars/coffee shops, watching movies together, etc.

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aboondocksaint t1_iuge59h wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:55 AM

#368,299

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

Bay_Leaf_Af t1_iugf7tw wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:04 AM

#368,609

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

glump1 t1_iugjovy wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:45 AM

#369,864

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!

asamadx1649 t1_iuhlxzj wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:12 PM

#379,405

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

AltruisticBowl4 t1_iuihc1a wrote on October 31, 2022 at 4:10 PM

#388,873

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!

jenokii t1_iuii7l0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 4:16 PM

#389,142

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

Junior_Ambition_6624 OP t1_iuiu1qy wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:34 PM

#393,007

Replying to glump1 (#369,864)

Wow, thanks for your advice and recommendation! I should definitely put myself out and attend different events to have more organic interactions with people.

Junior_Ambition_6624 OP t1_iuiu6jm wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:35 PM

#393,063

Replying to asamadx1649 (#379,405)

I live around jewelery district - spotted a few interesting bars. Will check out those bars as well, thanks!

Junior_Ambition_6624 OP t1_iuiufab wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:37 PM

#393,141

Replying to AltruisticBowl4 (#388,873)

That sounds wonderful! I’ll be happy to coordinate you. Although I’m very much new to reddit so i don’t know the norms of dming ppl or creating sub reddit. Please dm me to discuss the plan!

Junior_Ambition_6624 OP t1_iuiurr3 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:39 PM

#393,249

Replying to aboondocksaint (#368,299)

Boston fellow! I’ll dm you if I get to actually make plans to have off-line meetup.

moonchildpancakes t1_iuiwz0x wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:53 PM

#393,957

Replying to AltruisticBowl4 (#388,873)

I'm another 27F new to Prov! Would love to make something like this happen.

dinoplantparent t1_iuj935c wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:14 PM

#397,873

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!!

dinoplantparent t1_iuj9968 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:15 PM

#397,922

Replying to AltruisticBowl4 (#388,873)

I might be moving there in a month or so, if this is still happening can I hop in 👀

PoofsnPot t1_iujmkoi wrote on October 31, 2022 at 8:45 PM

#402,902

Replying to AltruisticBowl4 (#388,873)

25 year old also in Providence, would love to join in! I love 7 stars.

lizzzzz913 t1_iujszc0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:31 PM

#405,645

Beer on earth run club every Thursday @6

KimsUglyCry t1_iukaoyy wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:48 PM

#414,927

Replying to AltruisticBowl4 (#388,873)

I'd be down. There was a buzz when r/providencegirls was created a month or two ago, but nothing has really happened in terms of events. I'm 35 and love a bit out of the city but I love making excuses to come down for a visit:)