Let your children take the lead when it comes to finding new friends.
With military life comes a lot of moving. That means saying goodbye to friends and making new ones. This is a hard part of the military lifestyle. Finding new friends when you are the new one in town can be quite difficult.
If you have just moved into your new neighborhood, you might get lucky and have new neighbors come to your house and say hello. New neighbors can make the best friends. It is great when you are able to meet and click with them right away. But what happens if …
No one comes to your house to say hello?
Every one in your circle of friends, except you, gets orders to new duty station?
You are feeling lonely in your new home?
I have met friends at all types of places. From swim lessons for my kids to Bible studies. Sometimes it is just a matter of being brave and reaching out. Other times it is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Here are the top 4 places to find friendships at your new duty station.
Local Playground
If you have kids, take them to the park. You will most likely run into other parents and children who live near there. Be brave and strike up a conversation. If your kids hit it off, make plans to get together again. If you don’t meet anyone new at the park, at least your kids had a good time.
Facebook Group
Another option is to join a local Facebook group and go to one of the events. It might feel weird to go some place new when you don’t know anyone but it will be worth it.
Feeling lonely? Be brave and leave your house to meet new friends.
Your Neighborhood
If you are feeling brave, you can always go up to your new neighbors and say hello. One idea is to ask them a question about your new city. Something like, “Can you tell me the best place to get Chinese food?” can be a way to break the ice and strike up a conversation.
Sometimes it is just a matter of being brave. Other times it is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Photography Class, Bunco or CrossFit
When you are new to a duty station, the best way to find friends is to do is find events or classes that look fun and go to them. You are bound to make friends if you do that.
