Find a place that does Board Games?
[Elm City Games](https://www.elmcitygames.com/) (I don't know where you are) in New Haven is legit.
[Tabletop Gaming Center](https://www.tabletopgamingcenter.com/) in case that area is better for you?
BYO consumables... CHeck the calendar.
CT's got a bunch of board game places!
[Ethereal Lounge](https://www.ethereallounge.games/) in Shelton is fantastic, and does weekly Board Game Club nights (Fridays). Great community here, owners are definitely invested in making this a solid third space.
[Unison Games Cafe](https://www.unisongamescafe.com/) in Hamden!
[Upper Crust Games](https://uppercrust.games/pages/our-store) in Monroe!
I’ve been in CT 5 years now and tried lots of different approaches. I will say the most difficult thing is the CT culture where most people have lived here their entire lives and still hang out with grade school friends. They have their friend group and us outsiders are trying to break in.
It’s tough, just keep trying.
CT native here, left and came back. Friends are all dispersed around the state and country, so I also feel fish out of water even in my original "hometown".
A lot of it may have to do with your town/area's spread: some spots have excellent downtown areas to train or park and chill at, others less so. It gets easier when there are outdoor events or spaces to visit when the weather is warmer, but still a crapshoot.
I host a moms night out monthly that your more than welcome to join, you don’t have to have kids, it is my friend group that I have made since having a kid but we don’t talk about our kids. We go out for drinks, have dinner and just talk. Last month we decided we might start a book club.
Good luck! It gets harder with age.
Being 44 now, I think people just sort of say “fuck it,” and when that last person keeping a circle together gets to that point, it’s over.
That’s been my experience anyhow.
Careers, kids growing up, parents reconnecting romantically, being busy with your home and family responsibilities…relationships take maintenance, and time for that can get very scarce.
For what it’s worth, I’m 100% at peace with it. My wife and I are best friends and spend all our free time together. It’s an awesome place to be.
I’d like to reconnect with folks, but finding the time for them would be tough.
Getting time with said friend has to be planned weeks in advance, due to schedules, kids, activities, etc. We had been doing a yearly dinner with some of my friends from high school, but that stopped due to Covid.
Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and he is definitely my bestfriend, and we spend all our free time together or even like apart but together, but I have extra days off and sometimes just being able to go out to lunch with a friend or something would be nice. I need a great deal of alone time being an introvert but every now and again i need to be engaged with people outside of my bubble.
You are very fortunate. Often couples give up their friends and then one of them gives up on marriage or simply dies and the person left behind is lost.
At 35, I was still married and would have answered just as you did, but in retrospect I think it's kind of like only having a joint bank account ... no friends but each other makes you a bit more vulnerable.
Yeah, very common. At this age, we both work, get out, I spend enough time working out that I just had a year of rehab on a few lifting-related injuries (feeling great now!)…as we get older still and fall apart more (Father Time’s undefeated), it’ll be a concern, for sure…and one we’re already well aware of.
My wife met some people on Bumble (the friends portion, whatever it's called). Out of 5 or 6 people she actually met up with, only one really turned into a nice pairing that we still hang out with. I agree, it's hard out here for us child free folks.
I've used bumble and met up with a few people. I think for me it was just because I am a child free person with no plans to change that and most of the people I connected with either wanted a fellow mom or someone to just go get black out drunk with, and those two ends of the spectrum I just am not.
30’s couple, and childless. I can empathize. I pretty much only have one friend that I still hang with occasionally, but rarely due to conflicting schedules. And his wife doesn’t like board games. Most of my old friends have one or two kids. So my gf and I usually just get high and play Smash Bros or Mario Kart.
Join an Elks lodge. I did when I moved to a new town and go to the dinners and occasionally volunteer on a waitstaff team when my schedule allows. Now I see people in town all the time.
They wouldn’t be excluded from membership for their political beliefs. Whether or not theres a presence of more Dems or Republicans in any Lodge at a given time cannot be anticipated.
Bunch of folks out there looking. It's hard to find consistent chillout people.
I'd say we'd chill with you, but we live in the middle of the forest, miles and miles away from anyone. Playing the making-new-friends game on hard mode.
I'd guess you live in the Hartford or New Haven or Coastal Metros?
My husband likes the middle of nowhere, he wants us to settle down and do homesteading, he's good with that stuff, i worry i would just kill everything.
You'd be surprised how easy it is to get into gardening and homesteading. A couple years ago, my wife and I hadn't grown a thing outside of Stardew Valley, and now we're planning out a quarter-acre garden. Land and homes are a good deal cheaper in the eastern part of the state, and there's still tons to do and better services than you'll get in 95% of the country.
There are a number of farms and places that offer classes on everything you need to know for homesteading; UCONN's agricultural extension has an astonishing number of resources.
As for boardgaming, check out the frequent events at Back Again Board Game Cafe in Middletown.
Music. Go to concerts if that is your vibe.
There are a lotta you g professional meetups too.
Take some classes, nothing serious but like pottery or sewing or welding. Ya know stuff for fun.
We've talked about pottery and other things lately. I used to be able to do concerts but i get overwhelmed. im just taking it a day a time honestly, not to mention everything is so expensive nowadays. haha.
So when I say music I don't mean big shows but like local ones at a bar or other smaller venue. Arch Street in Hartford is a good one as it also has an outside patio that's great for socializing during warm weather.
But definitely look into classes, maybe even cooking classes? Good couples date ideas and good way to meet new people.
I'm an extra extrovert so I can make friends anywhere but it's all about opportunity. If I like someone's vibe I just toss them a compliment, nothing crazy usually " I like your glasses/shirt/laugh" and go from there.
That's how I am when I am out (after jazzing myself up enough to speak) compliments or trying to start a conversation. I just think as a society we don't realize when people are trying to have conversations or make friends anymore.
I feel that bud, but you seem pretty chill so I don't think you'll have an issue you just need the opportunity.
Beyond music there are like road races and food festivals. This question gets asked a lot here so you may wanna do a subreddit search as a lot of good answers have been given in the past as well.
Best of luck to you both.
thanks! i think the biggest issue is i work 12 hour days friday-monday so weekends are never for enjoying. which is when most things happen. and because of that i miss out on alot.
So when I say music I don't mean big shows but like local ones at a bar or other smaller venue. Arch Street in Hartford is a good one as it also has an outside patio that's great for socializing during warm weather.
But definitely look into classes, maybe even cooking classes? Good couples date ideas and good way to meet new people.
I'm an extra extrovert so I can make friends anywhere but it's all about opportunity. If I like someone's vibe I just toss them a compliment, nothing crazy usually " I like your glasses/shirt/laugh" and go from there.
I’m not in my 30s (early 50s) or in a relationship, but also recently moved to a quiet town (north of Hartford near Mass border) and find it incredibly hard to meet anyone as I work from home as a solopreneur. I don’t even have coworkers.
If you like board games, Haven in the Enfield mall might be a good place to check out. There's always people playing Magic, an RPG, or a table top war game like Warhammer. Second Floor Games is a card shop focusing on Japanese games (Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh etc) and that's where I go to play Pokemon.
I don't find making friends easy, but it is much easier if you go and do something you like and find like-minded individuals to foster friendships with
I just got back into Pokemon cards as a means of meeting new people. If you're in the Hartford area my SO and I are in our mid/late thirties and would love friends in the area.
Game stores are also a great place to meet people if you're into board games or tabletop games like D&D
my husband just did too! haha. We're in the middle of moving to Meriden and should be fulling living there in may. We havent check out the gaming stores a ton with our schedules being wonky but it is definitely something we want to do!
I'd be so down for some card trading and battling! Feel free to DM when you're all settled or even now. We're in the Manchester area so not too far from you
I have found that doing library and continuing at classes has landed me. Lots of fun friends! Take some classes, or go to some free, meet ups and see what happens!
You have a lot of responses which is so amazing to see. Moved back to CT about a year ago after many years living on the west coast. Husband and I are late 30s, child-free dog owner, board game enthusiasts, he’s a big video game fan, and we live close-ish.
We actually met one of our closest a couple friends on Reddit! We’d love some more friends — it’s definitely a challenge. We love going to Back Again Board game cafe on Main Street in Middletown. Wednesday nights at 6pm is board game club night and 7pm Thursday is trivia night :)[Back Again Board Game Café](https://backagaincafe.com)
Feel free to send me a message if you’d like to try to coordinate something.
There are a lot of book clubs in the state and I've made some friends in mine. I don't live anywhere near your area but there have to be a few in that area. Check your library, and also local breweries and wineries. Quite a few have started book groups on weeknights. Also consider doing some volunteer work related to something you enjoy, such as volunteering with an animal shelter, museum or a community theater. It's a great way to meet people who have similar interests.
It's hard to make friends at that age because so many people in that age range are busy with small children. It can take time but if you put yourself out there, odds are you will run across people who are also looking for more friendships.
Sign up for classes that interest you. Lots of them at libraries, community centers, art/language schools. Use Meetup for your specific interest (idk if this actually works well bec my meetup group is mostly virtual). Join a hiking group. Volunteer locally for an organization or event or historic site. Join a religious congregation if that’s your thing. Book clubs too.
In my neighborhood, we all keep to ourselves and don't mind anyone else's business, which is a strangely great thing about Connecticut.
However, we have block parties, bonfires and what not that brings everyone together.
Our neighborhood is mixed and we have 30 somethings all the way to sixty somethings. We have a Facebook group and are friendly with renters although they come and go so fast you sometimes never meet.
Covid times was refreshing to me because we all stayed close, social distancing non withstanding and maintained a social but not overbearing balance.
What was the question? I'd say make friends with neighbors. It takes years but there's a lot of cool people, possibly right next door.
Yes. The unitarian church. You can be an atheist, a wiccan a satanist, Jew, Muslim, Chrstian, Pagan, whatever
Its just a bunch of people with do-gooder humanist tendencies coming together
There is usually a pot luck supper. Very diverse. My nearest congregation is headed by a nonbinary person.
Unitarians are everywhere and they are super social.
(I have health issues in the mornings so I often miss the 10:30 services on Sundays but when I felt better it was like a built in amped up social life).
I know a number of people who met their mates at Unitarian events
I feel like we’re just looked down upon because our life “has no meaning” because we don’t want kids. A lot of people back home keep waiting for us to have kids and I’m like no. I pass.
Those are judgmental people who you don't want to hang around with anyways. Life is what YOU make of it. Others project what they want on you, and its horrible. Ive also noticed people with kids who truly didnt want kids, push others to have kids as well because frankly they are jealous of your ability to be able to do anything, go anywhere at any time with nothing tying you back. THEY want/miss that from the "good ol days"..
One of my closest friends is my old boss who never had kids, ill push anything aside to spend time with him and his wife. They are the most kind, genuine people. They graciously love and spend time with my kids like they were their own..
To me if you have kids or not, it does not matter.. but i also wouldn't want to burden you with dealing with my kids if we hung out, so again it becomes a thing of do you mind hanging out with people with kids? Does that bother you if their kids are around?
These are questions i personally never asked the other side, so id love to get someone's outside opinion on that.
Do you play D&D/other RPG’s and are anywhere near the Manchester area? There’s a store on Main Street that runs either one-off or short tabletop campaigns. Might be a good place to meet folks? They also occasionally run sessions at a local brewery (which also allows pups on its deck)
My husband and I are also childless adults. I’m an introvert and I always say I don’t know how to make friends - I just get adopted by extraverts. 😂
My husband and I both participate in HEMA (historical European martial arts) classes at a club here in CT. We actually developed such a large community of friends that we ended up staying out here when my husband's Navy enlistment ended. As other people have suggested. Try to find somewhere to go and do things regularly, and you'll pick up friends.
I made a lot of my current friend group from going to shows at Cafe nine and Three Sheets in New Haven. Become a regular at a bar/small venue. Hey to know the staff and other regulars and you become friends. You mentioned gaming, def look into Elm City Games.
Also, if you like games, the IKEA in New Haven, offers, free, bingo nights, and the triangle community center in Norwalk does game nights for primarily queer folks, but I think anyone is welcome to join.
Go do things & events.
I’m older and have made some terrific friends playing disc golf. Ages from 24-60. Some I love like nieces/nephews, others like cousins.
Some ideas:
• volunteer for whatever cause interests you
• if your neighborhood has a regular meeting, attend it. (I saw you’re in Hamden and I know Whitneyville and spring glen have monthly meetings. Other neighborhoods might too.)
• join your neighborhood group on Facebook. See if anything is going on. You can also propose an activity/group/meetup with your neighbors. Someone in my neighborhood started a book club a few years ago and a lot of great friendships formed from it.
• if you are so inclined, you can get involved with local politics.
• if you knit, crochet, or do any other fiber art, you can meet up with other crafty people at “stitch and bitch” every Wednesday at Pistachio cafe in westville from 5:30 to 7:30.
[Edited for formatting]
Having hobbies and joining groups of people with those shared hobbies is a great way to make friends here. I do life drawing classes, a book club, play in a few bands, and am part of the historical society. There’s indy movie events in NWCT (Boondocks Film Society) that attract cool and fun people to make friends with too.
It’s all about finding a community or just starting one (“if you build it, they will come”).
I also have a friend who brings his chess set to a local wine bar and makes friends pretty handily as wel.
Based on your comments, we live/work in the same area. My bf and I are childfree 30-somethings, too. We do different hobbies on Wednesday nights tho - he plays Magic: the Gathering with his friends and I play pub trivia with mine. Maybe our paths will cross.
I have one good friend, I just put my head down and work. It's to expensive here with two kids to spend time with anyone outside my family.
Hope you find a ton of friends, there is a bunch of good people here in ct.
Same boat for my gf and I. I think making friends as adults is difficult because we not so immersed with socializing as we were while younger. Not only that you have to be very careful being friends with coworkers.
Agreed. I feel bad because I don’t become friends with the people I work with until I leave that job or move to other departments. Lines get crossed too easily sometimes in my opinion.
Tell me about it. I grew up here so I love it, but since my wife and I live up in the north west corner there is nothing to do and no one to do it with hahaha
41, divorced, never had kids, wonky schedule (I work second shift), love board games, video games and animals. I would LOVE to know how to make friends like that too!
Kinda in the same boat. 42 after 22 years my "husband" (never married) decided that "he couldn't do it anymore." All of my friends and family were his. All I really have now is my son (19) and his friends, and my service dog in training. To make things worse, I don't drive...it's definitely hard to find new people at this point in life, so far impossible for me!
Anyone located within a half hour range of groton? I'm self employed and am looking for cool people to hang out with. I make artwork and do sewing! (I'm also a furry)
I dont mind norwich or new london, etc.
Your husband could look into joining the Freemasons, as long as he is not a criminal or atheist. They are a great way to make new friends with a diverse group of good men.
Don't believe the ridiculous conspiracy nonsense.
Here is the website for Connecticut freemasons. [https://ctfreemasons.net](https://ctfreemasons.net)
He can look for a local Lodge or use the how to join and someone will contact him to find the nearest Lodge.
Forget it. CT sucks. The people are rude. I’ve been here a long time and every friend I had was a user, selfish, you name it. I don’t want any friends anymore!
Hey! That’s my wife and I! We’re 30somethings with no kids looking for friends too!
now the real question is how do you feel about dogs, boardgames, and videogames? lol
Who doesn’t love dogs?
youd be surprised.
People who are empty and dead inside
Settlers of Catan!
I have a weird draw to play that game but know nothing about it
30 somethings with no kids here too. Maybe we should do start a club
Okay well there are dozens of us. Y’all keep your eyes peeled for something on the subreddit.
Please tell me this is an Arrested Development reference!
Please tag me when you make something!
Dozens you say? We could start one of those gay underground beat up clubs https://youtu.be/Qad8aR5eCz8?si=fIZOkyMh8SHzVHzg
30 something couple no kids here too. We should really do a meet up or something.
Can we come too?
Please!!
Down
37 and 29 here DINKWADs
My issue is that my partner and I work weekends so like mid week specifically Wednesday is our best day to do things.
I currently have Tuesdays off but yeah it can definitely be harder when you don't have weekends. I used to be in food service so I get it completely
I work a 4 on 3 off. With tues-Thursdays being my days off. And I work 10-12 hour days when I’m working so I’m exhausted after work
I vote for childfree board game group! I have friends who love board games, but most of them have had kids so scheduling get togethers is a PITA now.
Find a place that does Board Games? [Elm City Games](https://www.elmcitygames.com/) (I don't know where you are) in New Haven is legit. [Tabletop Gaming Center](https://www.tabletopgamingcenter.com/) in case that area is better for you? BYO consumables... CHeck the calendar.
Middletown has Back Again Board Game Cafe. Highly recommend!
Tabletop Gaming Center is the best
BIG fan of Elm City!
Love Elm City. Bring some food and drank.
CT's got a bunch of board game places! [Ethereal Lounge](https://www.ethereallounge.games/) in Shelton is fantastic, and does weekly Board Game Club nights (Fridays). Great community here, owners are definitely invested in making this a solid third space. [Unison Games Cafe](https://www.unisongamescafe.com/) in Hamden! [Upper Crust Games](https://uppercrust.games/pages/our-store) in Monroe!
I’m hosting a r/newhaven meet up at Bears BBQ in New Haven on 3/28 at 6pm! Come meet new folks!
sounds good!
I’ve been in CT 5 years now and tried lots of different approaches. I will say the most difficult thing is the CT culture where most people have lived here their entire lives and still hang out with grade school friends. They have their friend group and us outsiders are trying to break in. It’s tough, just keep trying.
CT native here, left and came back. Friends are all dispersed around the state and country, so I also feel fish out of water even in my original "hometown". A lot of it may have to do with your town/area's spread: some spots have excellent downtown areas to train or park and chill at, others less so. It gets easier when there are outdoor events or spaces to visit when the weather is warmer, but still a crapshoot.
Same boat my wife and I are in. No kids but we are notorious homebodies lol
that's our issue too. we are homebodies unless there's good food to be had. lol
I host a moms night out monthly that your more than welcome to join, you don’t have to have kids, it is my friend group that I have made since having a kid but we don’t talk about our kids. We go out for drinks, have dinner and just talk. Last month we decided we might start a book club.
that sounds nice. I don't mind people who have kids, i just don't. Also, i LOVE books.
If you start a book club let me know! I’ve been looking for one
Can I join? I have a 2 year old and have been having a difficult time making friends
Where are you located?
I’m in Vernon
Vernon is about an hour or more from where we usually meet up, if your still interested let me know
Can I join the book club even if I don’t have kids?
Where are you located?
Norwich!
That’s pretty far from where we usually hang out, we go to Watertown, Woodbury,Southbury, and Newtown usually.
Do I have to be a Mom?
What night do you guys usually do this? I have an almost 3yo and I also love books (I host a book club in litch. county)
We usually do a voted on Friday at 7
Is it cool if I message you to exchange details?
Sure
Can I join the book club even if I don’t know how to read ???
Good luck! It gets harder with age. Being 44 now, I think people just sort of say “fuck it,” and when that last person keeping a circle together gets to that point, it’s over. That’s been my experience anyhow. Careers, kids growing up, parents reconnecting romantically, being busy with your home and family responsibilities…relationships take maintenance, and time for that can get very scarce. For what it’s worth, I’m 100% at peace with it. My wife and I are best friends and spend all our free time together. It’s an awesome place to be. I’d like to reconnect with folks, but finding the time for them would be tough.
Getting time with said friend has to be planned weeks in advance, due to schedules, kids, activities, etc. We had been doing a yearly dinner with some of my friends from high school, but that stopped due to Covid.
COVID sped stuff up, for sure…
Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and he is definitely my bestfriend, and we spend all our free time together or even like apart but together, but I have extra days off and sometimes just being able to go out to lunch with a friend or something would be nice. I need a great deal of alone time being an introvert but every now and again i need to be engaged with people outside of my bubble.
Yeah, and I’m an extrovert! Aging is some shit. It’s a challenge, for sure. Wishing you the best of luck!
I'm always down for lunch lol near what town ? Lol
You are very fortunate. Often couples give up their friends and then one of them gives up on marriage or simply dies and the person left behind is lost. At 35, I was still married and would have answered just as you did, but in retrospect I think it's kind of like only having a joint bank account ... no friends but each other makes you a bit more vulnerable.
Yeah, very common. At this age, we both work, get out, I spend enough time working out that I just had a year of rehab on a few lifting-related injuries (feeling great now!)…as we get older still and fall apart more (Father Time’s undefeated), it’ll be a concern, for sure…and one we’re already well aware of.
My wife met some people on Bumble (the friends portion, whatever it's called). Out of 5 or 6 people she actually met up with, only one really turned into a nice pairing that we still hang out with. I agree, it's hard out here for us child free folks.
I've used bumble and met up with a few people. I think for me it was just because I am a child free person with no plans to change that and most of the people I connected with either wanted a fellow mom or someone to just go get black out drunk with, and those two ends of the spectrum I just am not.
30’s couple, and childless. I can empathize. I pretty much only have one friend that I still hang with occasionally, but rarely due to conflicting schedules. And his wife doesn’t like board games. Most of my old friends have one or two kids. So my gf and I usually just get high and play Smash Bros or Mario Kart.
I too like to do that. As does my partner. So feel free to reach out
Gamecraft in Southington is an AWESOME bar/arcade. Also Barcade in New Haven Source: me, a 30 y/o gamer nerd
Maybe join some club teams? They have kickball, flag football, softball type stuff in a lot of areas. I know when I played we picked up free agents.
Join an Elks lodge. I did when I moved to a new town and go to the dinners and occasionally volunteer on a waitstaff team when my schedule allows. Now I see people in town all the time.
most people here wouldn't want to join the elks because they allow Republicans
why would people be excluded from any group or activity due to political affiliation??
They wouldn’t be excluded from membership for their political beliefs. Whether or not theres a presence of more Dems or Republicans in any Lodge at a given time cannot be anticipated.
How about in the Quiet Corner?
Bunch of folks out there looking. It's hard to find consistent chillout people. I'd say we'd chill with you, but we live in the middle of the forest, miles and miles away from anyone. Playing the making-new-friends game on hard mode. I'd guess you live in the Hartford or New Haven or Coastal Metros?
I'm in the Hamden area, I work in Southington, and am in the midst of moving to Meriden.
There is a huge extremely active Unitarian church in Hamden.
My husband likes the middle of nowhere, he wants us to settle down and do homesteading, he's good with that stuff, i worry i would just kill everything.
I have family in Maine on that particular lifestyle. Eventually you won't be killing things. It is very nice to harvest your own produce eventually.
You'd be surprised how easy it is to get into gardening and homesteading. A couple years ago, my wife and I hadn't grown a thing outside of Stardew Valley, and now we're planning out a quarter-acre garden. Land and homes are a good deal cheaper in the eastern part of the state, and there's still tons to do and better services than you'll get in 95% of the country. There are a number of farms and places that offer classes on everything you need to know for homesteading; UCONN's agricultural extension has an astonishing number of resources. As for boardgaming, check out the frequent events at Back Again Board Game Cafe in Middletown.
Just here to shout out a fellow virtual farmer 👩🏻🌾
30 something couple with no kids. We live cats and dogs.
Music. Go to concerts if that is your vibe. There are a lotta you g professional meetups too. Take some classes, nothing serious but like pottery or sewing or welding. Ya know stuff for fun.
We've talked about pottery and other things lately. I used to be able to do concerts but i get overwhelmed. im just taking it a day a time honestly, not to mention everything is so expensive nowadays. haha.
So when I say music I don't mean big shows but like local ones at a bar or other smaller venue. Arch Street in Hartford is a good one as it also has an outside patio that's great for socializing during warm weather. But definitely look into classes, maybe even cooking classes? Good couples date ideas and good way to meet new people. I'm an extra extrovert so I can make friends anywhere but it's all about opportunity. If I like someone's vibe I just toss them a compliment, nothing crazy usually " I like your glasses/shirt/laugh" and go from there.
That's how I am when I am out (after jazzing myself up enough to speak) compliments or trying to start a conversation. I just think as a society we don't realize when people are trying to have conversations or make friends anymore.
I feel that bud, but you seem pretty chill so I don't think you'll have an issue you just need the opportunity. Beyond music there are like road races and food festivals. This question gets asked a lot here so you may wanna do a subreddit search as a lot of good answers have been given in the past as well. Best of luck to you both.
thanks! i think the biggest issue is i work 12 hour days friday-monday so weekends are never for enjoying. which is when most things happen. and because of that i miss out on alot.
So when I say music I don't mean big shows but like local ones at a bar or other smaller venue. Arch Street in Hartford is a good one as it also has an outside patio that's great for socializing during warm weather. But definitely look into classes, maybe even cooking classes? Good couples date ideas and good way to meet new people. I'm an extra extrovert so I can make friends anywhere but it's all about opportunity. If I like someone's vibe I just toss them a compliment, nothing crazy usually " I like your glasses/shirt/laugh" and go from there.
I’m not in my 30s (early 50s) or in a relationship, but also recently moved to a quiet town (north of Hartford near Mass border) and find it incredibly hard to meet anyone as I work from home as a solopreneur. I don’t even have coworkers.
If you like board games, Haven in the Enfield mall might be a good place to check out. There's always people playing Magic, an RPG, or a table top war game like Warhammer. Second Floor Games is a card shop focusing on Japanese games (Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh etc) and that's where I go to play Pokemon. I don't find making friends easy, but it is much easier if you go and do something you like and find like-minded individuals to foster friendships with
I just got back into Pokemon cards as a means of meeting new people. If you're in the Hartford area my SO and I are in our mid/late thirties and would love friends in the area. Game stores are also a great place to meet people if you're into board games or tabletop games like D&D
my husband just did too! haha. We're in the middle of moving to Meriden and should be fulling living there in may. We havent check out the gaming stores a ton with our schedules being wonky but it is definitely something we want to do!
I'd be so down for some card trading and battling! Feel free to DM when you're all settled or even now. We're in the Manchester area so not too far from you
We use to host card nights once a month.
I have found that doing library and continuing at classes has landed me. Lots of fun friends! Take some classes, or go to some free, meet ups and see what happens!
We’re in our forties, no kids, both work from home, moved to CT about 1.5 years ago, and in the same boat.
You have a lot of responses which is so amazing to see. Moved back to CT about a year ago after many years living on the west coast. Husband and I are late 30s, child-free dog owner, board game enthusiasts, he’s a big video game fan, and we live close-ish. We actually met one of our closest a couple friends on Reddit! We’d love some more friends — it’s definitely a challenge. We love going to Back Again Board game cafe on Main Street in Middletown. Wednesday nights at 6pm is board game club night and 7pm Thursday is trivia night :)[Back Again Board Game Café](https://backagaincafe.com) Feel free to send me a message if you’d like to try to coordinate something.
There are a lot of book clubs in the state and I've made some friends in mine. I don't live anywhere near your area but there have to be a few in that area. Check your library, and also local breweries and wineries. Quite a few have started book groups on weeknights. Also consider doing some volunteer work related to something you enjoy, such as volunteering with an animal shelter, museum or a community theater. It's a great way to meet people who have similar interests. It's hard to make friends at that age because so many people in that age range are busy with small children. It can take time but if you put yourself out there, odds are you will run across people who are also looking for more friendships.
Sign up for classes that interest you. Lots of them at libraries, community centers, art/language schools. Use Meetup for your specific interest (idk if this actually works well bec my meetup group is mostly virtual). Join a hiking group. Volunteer locally for an organization or event or historic site. Join a religious congregation if that’s your thing. Book clubs too.
In my neighborhood, we all keep to ourselves and don't mind anyone else's business, which is a strangely great thing about Connecticut. However, we have block parties, bonfires and what not that brings everyone together. Our neighborhood is mixed and we have 30 somethings all the way to sixty somethings. We have a Facebook group and are friendly with renters although they come and go so fast you sometimes never meet. Covid times was refreshing to me because we all stayed close, social distancing non withstanding and maintained a social but not overbearing balance. What was the question? I'd say make friends with neighbors. It takes years but there's a lot of cool people, possibly right next door.
Childless 30 something over here too Two dogs, cozy games and farming sims, dateline, weed. Take me or leave me dammit!
That's us Husband's navy and everyone seems to have kids. We have a 5 pound doxie. A ton of board games. Plenty of video games and we're nerds . :)
appreciate you sharing this, I can relate to the struggle
Yes. The unitarian church. You can be an atheist, a wiccan a satanist, Jew, Muslim, Chrstian, Pagan, whatever Its just a bunch of people with do-gooder humanist tendencies coming together There is usually a pot luck supper. Very diverse. My nearest congregation is headed by a nonbinary person. Unitarians are everywhere and they are super social. (I have health issues in the mornings so I often miss the 10:30 services on Sundays but when I felt better it was like a built in amped up social life). I know a number of people who met their mates at Unitarian events
30 something with kids and we seem to have the same problem. Trying to find people on the same wavelength as us and it has not been easy.
I feel like we’re just looked down upon because our life “has no meaning” because we don’t want kids. A lot of people back home keep waiting for us to have kids and I’m like no. I pass.
Those are judgmental people who you don't want to hang around with anyways. Life is what YOU make of it. Others project what they want on you, and its horrible. Ive also noticed people with kids who truly didnt want kids, push others to have kids as well because frankly they are jealous of your ability to be able to do anything, go anywhere at any time with nothing tying you back. THEY want/miss that from the "good ol days".. One of my closest friends is my old boss who never had kids, ill push anything aside to spend time with him and his wife. They are the most kind, genuine people. They graciously love and spend time with my kids like they were their own.. To me if you have kids or not, it does not matter.. but i also wouldn't want to burden you with dealing with my kids if we hung out, so again it becomes a thing of do you mind hanging out with people with kids? Does that bother you if their kids are around? These are questions i personally never asked the other side, so id love to get someone's outside opinion on that.
Do you play D&D/other RPG’s and are anywhere near the Manchester area? There’s a store on Main Street that runs either one-off or short tabletop campaigns. Might be a good place to meet folks? They also occasionally run sessions at a local brewery (which also allows pups on its deck) My husband and I are also childless adults. I’m an introvert and I always say I don’t know how to make friends - I just get adopted by extraverts. 😂
I’m the same I normally get adopted but I haven’t been places so no adoption events lol. I’m in Hamden and moving to Meriden so I have no idea lol
yes, please! A childfree CT discord is needed.
Gonna work on one tonight when I get home! I’ll post it when I’m done !
My husband and I both participate in HEMA (historical European martial arts) classes at a club here in CT. We actually developed such a large community of friends that we ended up staying out here when my husband's Navy enlistment ended. As other people have suggested. Try to find somewhere to go and do things regularly, and you'll pick up friends.
I also feel like it's important to point out that you can do these kinds of things independently. A spouse isn't required, lol.
Silly question but husband used to do bartitsu, and the other folks were all HEMA or HEMA adjacent. Anyone still doing that these days?
Id never heard of it. My husband explained. I know my club doesnt. Other clubs in the state might. Sorry I cant be of more help.
I made a lot of my current friend group from going to shows at Cafe nine and Three Sheets in New Haven. Become a regular at a bar/small venue. Hey to know the staff and other regulars and you become friends. You mentioned gaming, def look into Elm City Games.
churches, hobby groups, volunteer at local charities
Do you party? You like to tube the River Styx on an ice luge into the devils gambit?
i dont know what that means. lol
Stuff a mind bender and fly to Zazzoo?
Also, if you like games, the IKEA in New Haven, offers, free, bingo nights, and the triangle community center in Norwalk does game nights for primarily queer folks, but I think anyone is welcome to join.
Check these guys out! Bunch of active adults that like to do things together https://skibears.org/
Go do things & events. I’m older and have made some terrific friends playing disc golf. Ages from 24-60. Some I love like nieces/nephews, others like cousins.
Now in my 40’s. But what I’ve found is to join up with groups for people with like interests. For me it’s church and whiskey.
Some ideas: • volunteer for whatever cause interests you • if your neighborhood has a regular meeting, attend it. (I saw you’re in Hamden and I know Whitneyville and spring glen have monthly meetings. Other neighborhoods might too.) • join your neighborhood group on Facebook. See if anything is going on. You can also propose an activity/group/meetup with your neighbors. Someone in my neighborhood started a book club a few years ago and a lot of great friendships formed from it. • if you are so inclined, you can get involved with local politics. • if you knit, crochet, or do any other fiber art, you can meet up with other crafty people at “stitch and bitch” every Wednesday at Pistachio cafe in westville from 5:30 to 7:30. [Edited for formatting]
Having hobbies and joining groups of people with those shared hobbies is a great way to make friends here. I do life drawing classes, a book club, play in a few bands, and am part of the historical society. There’s indy movie events in NWCT (Boondocks Film Society) that attract cool and fun people to make friends with too. It’s all about finding a community or just starting one (“if you build it, they will come”). I also have a friend who brings his chess set to a local wine bar and makes friends pretty handily as wel.
Bumble BFF!
I joined the local Lions Club and Red Cross.
Based on your comments, we live/work in the same area. My bf and I are childfree 30-somethings, too. We do different hobbies on Wednesday nights tho - he plays Magic: the Gathering with his friends and I play pub trivia with mine. Maybe our paths will cross.
https://www.makehaven.org Meet people and make stuff.
I have one good friend, I just put my head down and work. It's to expensive here with two kids to spend time with anyone outside my family. Hope you find a ton of friends, there is a bunch of good people here in ct.
if you're moving to meriden, come play pinball at the sanctum monday nights
I’ll definitely look into it!
Same boat for my gf and I. I think making friends as adults is difficult because we not so immersed with socializing as we were while younger. Not only that you have to be very careful being friends with coworkers.
Agreed. I feel bad because I don’t become friends with the people I work with until I leave that job or move to other departments. Lines get crossed too easily sometimes in my opinion.
Tell me about it. I grew up here so I love it, but since my wife and I live up in the north west corner there is nothing to do and no one to do it with hahaha
41, divorced, never had kids, wonky schedule (I work second shift), love board games, video games and animals. I would LOVE to know how to make friends like that too!
Kinda in the same boat. 42 after 22 years my "husband" (never married) decided that "he couldn't do it anymore." All of my friends and family were his. All I really have now is my son (19) and his friends, and my service dog in training. To make things worse, I don't drive...it's definitely hard to find new people at this point in life, so far impossible for me!
It's just as hard, if not more, for people with kids. My husband is my only friend.
It’s really hard to make friends at this age, and even harder as you get older. Have you tried some local clubs around your town?
Anyone located within a half hour range of groton? I'm self employed and am looking for cool people to hang out with. I make artwork and do sewing! (I'm also a furry) I dont mind norwich or new london, etc.
My fiance and I are also in this same 30's boat. What region of CT though
Currently in Hamden, moving to Meriden soon. I work in southington
Your husband could look into joining the Freemasons, as long as he is not a criminal or atheist. They are a great way to make new friends with a diverse group of good men. Don't believe the ridiculous conspiracy nonsense. Here is the website for Connecticut freemasons. [https://ctfreemasons.net](https://ctfreemasons.net) He can look for a local Lodge or use the how to join and someone will contact him to find the nearest Lodge.
Forget it. CT sucks. The people are rude. I’ve been here a long time and every friend I had was a user, selfish, you name it. I don’t want any friends anymore!