[tomwed]

I miss mine too. Just about all my friends were workmates and I was at the same High School for 36 years. I knew the students and very often taught their parents, aunts and uncles. I didn't have any classes. I was in charge of technology. So all day long I would fix things, train students and faculty and cheer people up that were having a bad day. My corny, harmless sense of humor preceded me. Thinking about all this feels good and bad at the same time, if you know what I mean.

[Bonny]

I've lived in 2 houses since moving here 14 1/2 years ago. The first house one of the neighbors invited everyone over so we could meet them. We were the last house on the block.
When we moved to our second, we were the first people. Once we had several people move on the street, we had appetizers and invited 16 couples over. Everyone got to know everyone.
We have belonged to the Parrot Head Club for 10 years. Definitely a great place to meet people and have fun.

[VT2TV]

Originally Posted by MartyRR

Moved here a year ago and just can't seem to click with anyone. We moved into an established neighborhood and those that are not snow birds keep to themselves. Only two on our street have been friendly.

Don't really expect any answers, just wondering if I am the only one who misses their friends back home. Miss having someone just pop open the door with a yoo-hoo! and having girl time.

I am not shy and have joined in a few groups, just seems most have their friend plate full.

Whew! I feel better already.

Actually, I guess you don't remember me. I reached out to you the last time you wrote saying you couldn't meet anyone to be friends with. I sent you a PM and offering to meet you and possibly be your friend. I never have enough friends. We even met at Paneras, and talked for quite a long time, laughed a lot, and I thought it went well. You were supposed to contact me after you got home from somewhere. I totally do not blame you if you didn't feel like you wanted to be my friend. Not EVERYONE is a match, and I hold no hard feelings. But I did try to show some Village hospitality. I wish you much luck in finding friends that are a match and can help you adjust to this new place.

[PattyCakes]

All of these ideas are wonderful, and I'm sure you'll meet a lot of great folks. Problem is if there is no common ground, no shared interests, you're back to square one. Here's my suggestion. What are your passions? What are your interests? Find activities that may attract folks who already share your interests. That offers you a better foundation for forming long term, connected relationships. Volunteer your time to those less fortunate. If you don't find a friend there, at least you'll be helping someone improve their life. Give to others and the Lord will bless you. Hope this helps.

[Wandatime]

Lots of us are a little bit shy when meeting new people and don't want to give the impression we are desperate (well, maybe not desperate, but definitely wanting) for a friend. Most of us know very few if any people when we first arrive so yeah, we want to make new friends. Through casual conversations I have reached out to several people for phone numbers and emails, and had lunch with one lady that I really liked. On the other hand, I struck up a conversation with another lady and very quickly knew that relationship wasn't going to happen. When I get back down to TV I'll attempt to get together with the others. I am not choosy about my acquaintances, but very choosy about close and best friends, so I am considering this kind of a vetting process.

I think Gracie's idea of a get together is absolutely fabulous, and hope I'm in TV when she has it. It really is a numbers game, isn't it?

[Spikearoni]

I am quite disappointed to read that it can be difficult to make friends in TV.
Does that mean that hype about TV being "the friendliest hometown" is just a marketing ploy?

We have been hoping that when we come down in the winter, we will make friends easily based on all the advertising. Is that just a pipe dream?

[uprivergirl]

Meeting new friends can be hard in a new neighborhood. We moved from Ca. and left not only our friends but our family too. We have meet a lot of new people by joining different things.

I miss my family and friends but I wouldn't trade our new lifestyle. I love all the activities here and there are so many ways to met new friends. Having a special friend takes time. Think back to the time you met your last friends and the time it took to have that special bond.

I think that everyone is so busy here in TV that it's hard to have the just stop by friend. The people in TV seem friendlier than in Ca.

have you gone to the Crispers meeting? You will meet people there that you chat with here.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Spikearoni

I am quite disappointed to read that it can be difficult to make friends in TV.
Does that mean that hype about TV being "the friendliest hometown" is just a marketing ploy?
We have been hoping that when we come down in the winter, we will make friends easily based on all the advertising. Is that just a pipe dream?

Of course life isn't perfect in "the friendliest hometown". Just like anywhere else, there are friendly people, but also cliques and lots of established friendships.
However if you are cheerful, friendly and caring you will have no problem making new friends.
Even hanging out at the adult pools is a great way to meet people.
Many of the people you meet will not "click" with you and so you won't pursue getting together.
Gradually you will find people with similar interests and you will "click" with them and get to love them.
It takes time. Have patience, and soon you will have formed some wonderful friendships.

[sunny46]

I'm sorry, but I just saw your post. Did you find some friends? I've been here 10 years and only have one true friend. I'll see if we click, if you want.

[JoMar]

We moved here in September south of 466A into a new neighborhood where everyone was new and working through how to meet new friends. We held a driveway meet and greet and there was another today as new folks move in. We also had a couple folks take control and set up an online communication system, a monthly men's lunch, a monthly ladies lunch and a monthly couples dine out. They have also rented a room at the Manatee Rec Center for a monthly get together. It takes someone or several someone's to take control but if you can make that happen you should be able to break into some new friends.

[salpal]

Join our group - the Juliets -- Just Us Ladies Into EveryThing.
We meet every Friday night at 5:00 under the clock at Lake Sumter Landing and enjoy dinner together. You can identify us because we all wear black tops and silver necklaces. We have no meetings, dues or agenda, just fun and friendship. Come to the square and learn how to join, just give us your email and you will get a bi-monthly newsletter with our events. For example, tonight is our Halloween Party. The Juliets was a Godsend to me when I was missing girlfriends, now I have many!!!

[Lauren Sweeny]

Friends and acquaintances ....I have to say friends ( confidants that you know you can share just about everything) are rare and lucky if you do find a few. Not being an outgoing personality ( think homebody) it takes a big effort to find the club or group In which you can find ( relate with) one possible new friend..Being new or even established here ....the truth is ....finding a friends like the ones back home takes more effort in TV because we have to join something or make the first move. If you do meet with people give the group a chance ,perhaps there is one in that group you can find that spark of mutual need or shared interest. You can always PM me....I have several new friend ladies that want to take a ride over to Mt Dora, tarpon Springs and St. Augustine....we are not a group of couples, just a bunch of women who need to gab ,vent and enjoy life.

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by MartyRR

Moved here a year ago and just can't seem to click with anyone. We moved into an established neighborhood and those that are not snow birds keep to themselves. Only two on our street have been friendly.

Don't really expect any answers, just wondering if I am the only one who misses their friends back home. Miss having someone just pop open the door with a yoo-hoo! and having girl time.

I am not shy and have joined in a few groups, just seems most have their friend plate full.

Whew! I feel better already.

Friends are like lovers. Sometimes you have to sift through a whole bunch before you find that special one while other times, it seems comparatively quick and easy. The most important thing to remember is that in order to have a friend you must be a friend. I am going to suggest that if you keep reaching out and meeting people (with no expectations whatsoever) one day you will realize that you have found that “special” person and it will simply flow thereafter. Hang in there.

[twoas1@comcast.net]

Originally Posted by MartyRR

Moved here a year ago and just can't seem to click with anyone. We moved into an established neighborhood and those that are not snow birds keep to themselves. Only two on our street have been friendly.

Don't really expect any answers, just wondering if I am the only one who misses their friends back home. Miss having someone just pop open the door with a yoo-hoo! and having girl time.

I am not shy and have joined in a few groups, just seems most have their friend plate full.

Whew! I feel better already.

Oh my gosh, I just wrote my three 'sister/friends' in Minnesota and said I miss girl time and hugs so much, I could just cry. Just moved here in Sept. and I am not shy about leaving my phone # with those girls that seem to click with me. I feel like, a fish out of water too. If you want to 'talk' with another 'fish', email me at twoas1@comcast.net

[NotGolfer]

Think back to how you met your friends up north. Was it in your neighborhood, because of your kids, work, club activities, church?? How long ago was that? Here, everyone is from somewhere else and circumstances of how people meet are varied as well. IF you move into an "established" neighborhood it may take time to edge in. Many folks meet because they went to the pool or joined a certain club here or attend a certain church. I've found to make friends one has to make an effort and reach out. You might score once out of 10 or it might be once out of two depending on the circumstance. One of my best friends that I had up north, I met in Newcomers. I went up to that person, introduced myself and got the contact info and acted on it fairly soon. It takes time and effort. We're all mostly older now so what was familiar will seem strange here because it is. We've relocated and everyone is trying to find their niche.

The neighborhood we moved into was somewhat established already when we got here. There is a smattering of seasonal folks (harder to connect with I've found), some singles and the rest couples. That said, our neighborhood isn't typical in where "everyone" is social together. We've made our friends through joining up in the organizations that pique our interests AND at our church.

Best wishes in finding your special someone(s). Don't be discouraged!