Sometimes, moving to a new place can be isolating and you may find yourself cooped up in your apartment by yourself on a Friday night. In addition to getting accustomed to navigating your way around a new city, and unpacking your plethora of boxes delivered by your Gainesville movers, you must also form new social connections. This may be particularly overwhelming if you do not know where to go.
School or Work
This may seem obvious but if you are a student you will regularly see the same people in your classes and if you work you spend the majority of your time at your job. Do not be afraid to be outgoing and strike up a conversation with someone you do not know. You will automatically have something in common to talk about and they may be interested in spending time together outside of that environment. Take advantage of that time together and do not let yourself be a hermit in those situations.
Volunteer
There are many places that require a lot of help. A great way to fill your time is by finding ways to make a difference in your community. There are many different places you can volunteer in Gainesville depending on your passions and what you might enjoy doing. While you are volunteering, you will interact with other people and it has the potential to be a great way to meet new friends.
Student Life
If you are a student, take advantage of organized events. Gator Nights is held every Friday night at the University of Florida. They show new movies that have been recently been released, and have free food, crafts and other activities you can participate in. The best part is it is all for free! Many UF students attend this event so it is a perfect way to socialize.
Joining one of UF’s 1,000 organized clubs is always another option. This is preferable because there are so many options, you are guaranteed to find one that corresponds with your interests. These smaller groups also facilitate the growth of friendships and they also look good on your resume.
Community Events
If you find yourself with free time on a weekend, do not spend it in your apartment curled up on couch. Instead, look up activities occurring in the community. For instance, in the summer, there are periodic festivals with musicians and artists that would make an entertaining outing. Downtown Gainesville offers a variety of coffee shops, restaurants and nightlife spots which are other great ways to meet people.
After your Gainesville moving company leaves, you are left with the task of making new friends. In general, the key to meeting people in a new area is to be friendly. If you initiate conversations with people you do not know, eventually you will find someone who is also looking for a friend. If you stay in your apartment, nothing will ever change and you will not meet anyone new. So, be brave and build lasting friendships; you never know who you will meet!