Moved to DFW at 28 knowing zero people. Two years later I have a solid crew. Here's what actually worked and what didn't.
What WORKED:
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Bumble BFF — I know it sounds weird. It is weird. But I met my now-best friend on there. We got tacos at Velvet Taco and realized we lived 5 minutes apart.
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Dallas Social Sports (DallasSocialSports.com) — joined a kickball league in Uptown. Terrible at kickball. Didn't matter. The after-game bar hangs are where friendships form.
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Meetup.com groups — "DFW New in Town" group does monthly events. Also found a hiking group that does weekend trips to Mineral Wells and Dinosaur Valley.
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Dog parks — if you have a dog, White Rock Lake dog park is a friendship engine. You see the same people every Saturday morning.
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Regularing a coffee shop or bar — I went to the same coffee shop (Cultivar, Dallas) every Saturday morning for 3 months. Started recognizing faces. Conversations happened naturally.
What DIDN'T work:
- Trying to convert coworkers into real friends (works sometimes, usually doesn't)
- Facebook groups (too passive, nobody actually meets up)
- Cold approaching at bars (this isn't a romcom)
The hard truth: Making friends as an adult takes 6-12 months of consistent showing up. You have to be the one who suggests plans. You have to follow up. You have to be slightly uncomfortable.
Anyone else in the "new to DFW, need friends" boat?