How to Make Friends After Moving, Amid Coronavirus Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
Moving How to Make Friends in a New Place Despite COVID-19
Reach out online take up walking forge new connections with safety measures in mind
Ellen and David Comisar recently moved to a new home. Courtesy of the Comisar Family Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Under the best of circumstances, moving to a new place is challenging. Meeting people when you're over age 50 — especially when you may not have children in school or are — adds another layer of difficulty. But the pandemic, with its restrictions on group activities and has made it even tougher. Yet there are ways to make connections. Find common interests
Ellen, 60, who was a writer in the financial services sector, has checked out whether the local library has a virtual book club. She also has joined a virtual, local business networking group. David, 57, a therapist still working with clients via telehealth, has been going to their community's gym, which remains open. While they didn’t know many people when they moved, they did have some relatives and friends of friends who made them feel less lonely. Connecting with people who have common interests is a time-honored tactic. “Finding others with an interest in something you enjoy can be a great way to break the ice and interact with a new community,” says Nashville-based GinaMarie Guarino, a licensed mental health counselor, who works mainly with adults. Of course, during the pandemic that may mean utilizing social media. “Something as simple as joining a Facebook group can be enough to open up opportunities to meet new people and make new friends with common interests,” Guarino says. , or even taking on a new sport like hiking, — something that allows for space between people and takes place outside. Volunteering can also be done with social distancing practices in place. Entertainment 30% off a 1-year subscription See more Entertainment offers > Keep in mind though, that if you've connected on social media and decide to meet a group in person, “ask about social distancing rules before you show up. If the rules are in line with what you need, that's great,” Guarino says. “But if not, it's up to you to determine whether you'd be comfortable.” Remain engaged to alleviate anxiety
Another couple, Theresa and Harvey Beldner, both 50, moved from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Buffalo, New York, when Harvey got a new job. They have three adult children no longer living at home and a 10-year-old son who does. Normally, school is a place they'd meet others. But, “the school shut down four days after we arrived,” Theresa says. Harvey has met some people at his new company — and luckily, one family also has a 10-year old son. However, Harvey, Theresa and their son still feel isolated, and because of COVID-19 are “cautious about making connections,” Theresa says. They recognize, though, that even if they hadn't moved, they and their son would still be somewhat isolated from friends. “It's lonely,” Theresa says, “but it's lonely for everyone." This kind of social isolation worries many in the therapy community. “It can be incredibly frightening to move to a different home or state in the midst of the pandemic. Change is hard itself, but change mixed with the fear of contracting COVID-19 can lead to distressing anxiety,” says Leela R. Magavi, the regional medical director for California-based Community Psychiatry. “Individuals I evaluate over the age of 50 often express .” AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe with friends and family to alleviate anxiety and feelings of loneliness. Give yourself a break
Another way to reduce these feelings is by getting outside. “Things feel less restrictive in Florida because we can be outdoors,” David says. As often as possible , bike, swim and go to a beach. And, if you have a friendly dog to walk, even better. Ellen says she has been able to chat with neighbors while out with her dog, Kiwi. Despite wanting to meet people in your new community and create connections, it's important to maintain perspective. Recognizing that we're all in the same boat can help you cope. As Theresa says, “Even if we'd been here for 20 years, we wouldn't be able to physically see anyone.” That helps her feel better and has helped her explain the situation to her son. David, too, speaks about making the best of things and of being all right with delayed gratification. “I'm not thinking of my disappointments,” he says. “I'm living my life and keeping myself busy. I know our social life will flourish in another six months. I'm trying to be positive.” Ways to Connect
Meetup: Dubbed as the place to “discover events for all the things you love,” allows you to start a group or meet others with similar interests in already-established groups. Want to find people to hike with? Go to meetup.com, type in “hiking” and your town's name, and you'll see lots of groups and scheduled events. Nextdoor: An online hub at lets you connect with neighbors who share information on everything from how to find local services to asking for help in finding a lost pet. You can get the inside scoop, send messages, ask questions, take a poll and get alerts. Social media: Put out the word that you're moving and want to meet friends of friends in your new area. Religious services: Churches, mosques and synagogues are offering online worship. Help others: VolunteerMatch lists opportunities in your area to volunteer virtually or in-person for a variety of causes. There are opportunities at to do this with social distancing. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS