Making friends in Manchester

vulpix

Manchester school of Samba?

vulpix

Didsbury comedy club ?

Elsewhere

My daughter has been living in Manchester for several years now and loves it (she grew up in rural Dorset).

She's made most of her friends there through her interest in Japanese Anime, and also playing boardgames (I introduced both my kids to Dungeons and Dragons virtually as soon as they could read so I'd have someone to play with - my husband hates it!). She dislikes living alone, so has lived in houseshares with various groups of these friends and it's worked well - much easier sharing when there's a common interest. She's 30 now BTW.

The anime club she and her friends attend is https://www.facebook.com/groups/mujsociety/

I have no idea if you have to be a Manchester University student to join; my daughter has certainly never been a fulltimer there though I think she did some short accountancy courses.

Counting_Pennies_2

This is a universal question for all over the country.


Find a hobby, or a subject you are interested in and then find a class or group that offers it.


When I was single I learnt sign language and pottery and went to fitness classes and the gym.


I am now learning how to sew, which is helpful for things around the house and do voluntary work. I meet lovely people and fit it around my life when it is convenient.

HapPea

I would highly recommend Spice Manchester http://www.spicemcr.com

It's basically a social and adventure club for adults. I was a member before I moved away and I made loads of friends through it. They arrange lots of events from meals, bowling, walks and pub meets to adventure things like Fire Eating & Breathing. The weekends away are a great way to meet people too.

There is a pub meet this Wednesday in Didsbury. It's free and you'll be able to meet a few members and find out a bit more about what it's all about. Debs who runs it is a really nice lady.

summerspring

j.e.j. wrote: »

For all its supposed trendiness, it's a shitehole when you actually have to live there 24/7.

I'm not a city person myself and I think I'd find ANY urban built-up densely-populated area hard to cope with for any length of time, but some people do like living in cities.

What concerns me a bit is that the OP says she has already been living in Manchester for 4 years and still has not made any friends. It's not like she's just moved there. So maybe it's not the right place for her?

lulalola

I move around a lot, and it's usually to places where I know no one. I really recommend MeetUp (google it). There are bound to be loads of groups in Manchester; you could join one related to an interest or hobby, or you'll probably find groups dedicated just to socialising, often with an age range i.e. 20s-30s. I've made loads of friends here this way.

I've also made a few friends through online dating, which isn't the point of it I know, but there have been a few occasions where I've met someone for a date, there hasn't been a romantic spark but we've got on really well and continued to hang out.

Once you start making friends, you'll get introduced to their friends and invited to more things (my personal rule is never to turn down an invite unless I really can't go) and it will snowball from there.

Good luck!

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

I live around 20 minutes north of Manchester; I find the city centre a hovel (most city centres are). I think you just need to get out more - there's literally thousands of interest clubs dotted all around the GM area as well as in the centre, and they are usually pretty welcoming to new members. There's also a few gyms that have gym buddy programmes if you're into fitness, I met a very good friend of mine through it.

You don't seem to mention any hobbies, maybe this is an area you could look at? Even just to have a go, its always a giggle! (nearly shot someone with an archery arrow, no hand eye co-ordination). There's also a load of meet up groups, if you have a quick google, you might find something that tickles your fancy.

Its essentially about getting out there in whatever capacity you can do.

Tamara_2

Another vote for Meetup. It was a godsend for me and my husband when we moved 150 miles to be nearer family and knew no-one else in the area. There are so many different groups on there, you'll probably end up joining more than one of them! List your hobbies, interests etc and then search for the groups that appeal to you most. I guarantee you'll find something. Good luck.