Online services to find friends?

[iv-tecman]

Well, I find myself now in one of those awkward situations of being single and at the age of 33 very few circle of friends. After a recent (7 months now) split with a girlfriend that was co-inhabiting with me, we finally called it a day and she left. Not so amicably, but nonetheless I’m starting to think if I don’t get into something new soon, I’m going to get stuck in a rut, and be forever on my own.

OK, slight exaggeration on my part, but all my existing friends have their own “thing” going on, marriage, long term commitments, babies etc. Its one of those situations where I’ve not made such a good a job in keeping relationships alive as close friends seem to have done etc.. I’m not one for wondering around pubs on my own, in fact I grew out of the night club, pub crawl years ago. Not to say it’s a bad thing to do, its just more student, or something I don’t feel I can enjoy anymore, and if you don’t enjoy it, you end up looking miserable, and very little chance of meeting /making friends when you look like a wet weekend..

I was thinking of either online or some type of chat area, local to me. Anyone used these before, are they just tools for folks with no confidence to try and find someone or do those who work long hours, not into the pub crawl and got a small and decreasing circle of friends to help find new relationships find the services useful? I’m open to any idea, I also thought of joining a gym, get fit and might find some new friends at the same time? Other then this, apart from work, and I never feel comfortable with out of work friendships with those you work with, as if it does go wrong, its murder to continue working on the same office or building, I’m kinda out of ideas…

This is quite a big and diverse group of what looks to be intelligent members, I’m open to ideas, being a professional, office worker, but at the age of 33 and finding my last girlfriend years ago when my circle of fiends was much larger, I’m starting to feel a bit isolated. Something I’m sure has been felt by some before…

Thanks all… And if anyone has some good websites they’ve joined, and it worked out well, jot them down, don’t even mind paying a small members fee.

 

[iv-tecman]

Many thanks for the replies, and from some of you and your empathy shown online. And an offer from a 27 year old lass I might add… Sweet.

Anyhow, digress. I’ve got hobbies, playing computer games, tinker with the odd bit of 3D model building etc.. I’ll certainly take a look at Udate see what this has to offer. I’m not a religious man, in fact I’m a bit agnostic, almost atheist so church might not be the right option for me, but I do appreciate the idea.

I’m currently in the Northamptonshire area, seems to have a lot of pubs.. LOL Just what I need.

 

[iv-tecman]

Cool... I'm going to see about joining one of the local gym's, worth a try plus I can get fit at the same time.... win win hopefully.

I've already got a great collie dog, I had two but one has been taken by the ex but still one is better then none... does give me company at home, and a dog is always happy to see you, but not so good for taking to the cinema etc...

Hobbies seem to be the most favour'd... Games playing isn't going to work, playing PC and XBOX games isn't the way to find friends... Sporty hobbies might work though, gym might be a step in the right direction..

Thanks for all your ideas though, been very nice of you all to step into the thread and post up some of your thoughts....