Making new friends when you're DINKS in the burbs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-People on this site will broil and eat a person from Rockville/Burke/Vienna, etc. This really isn't the place to ask where to meet people. They've already met all the people they like and hate everyone else. Sad, but there it is.

I would never compare Rockville and Vienna to Burke. Rockville and Vienna are not very far away and see friends who live there regularly. Burke is hella far away, and the one person that I know who has moved out there has not made an effort to see friends who live in the close in suburbs or DC ever since she moved - like she hasn't even invited us over. And I don't even live THAT far from her, we're in Arlington. So some of this maybe that OP just doesn't want to drive to Arlington or wherever because it's just so far away for her.

[Anonymous]

I feel for you OP. We are DINKS in MoCo, and all our friends are in NoVa and DC. So we have a good social life, but still feel like the weirdos in the neighborhood who don't know anyone. Even though our neighbors seem perfectly nice, I just don't know how to "make friends" as an adult.

We are planning to have a party next month and will invite the six or so closest houses and hope somebody shows up (or at least remembers us for the future). That's my version of "going out on a limb."

I think joining a book club would also be a really good option for meeting people who share some interests. There are tons of them: http://bookclub.meetup.com/cities/us/va/burke/

[Anonymous]

I am a little surprised there hasn't been one person in the same situation in or near Burke that wanted to meet OP. Regardless, here's a book written by a person in your situation. I went to her reading and the book seems very funny with some good suggestions.

MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend
Rachel Bertsche

I think we've all been in your shoes at one point or the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-People on this site will broil and eat a person from Rockville/Burke/Vienna, etc. This really isn't the place to ask where to meet people. They've already met all the people they like and hate everyone else. Sad, but there it is.

I would never compare Rockville and Vienna to Burke. Rockville and Vienna are not very far away and see friends who live there regularly. Burke is hella far away, and the one person that I know who has moved out there has not made an effort to see friends who live in the close in suburbs or DC ever since she moved - like she hasn't even invited us over. And I don't even live THAT far from her, we're in Arlington. So some of this maybe that OP just doesn't want to drive to Arlington or wherever because it's just so far away for her.

Umm....have you ever been to any of these places? Burke is almost the same distance from DC as Vienna. I just google-mapped it to be sure. Vienna is 17 miles from the 7th and F Street NW. Burke is 19 miles from the same spot.

Look, I grew up in the Burke/Springfield area and have chosen to live in DC as an adult rather than move back there. But the myopia on this board with regard to neighborhoods is really unbelievable. Yes, Vienna is wealthier than Burke. But it's not actually much closer to the city.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am in a similar situation. I think this area is difficult to make friends in.

I will say that if you get a dog, you meet people being out and about for walks. But it's a commitment and you may not be a dog person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-People on this site will broil and eat a person from Rockville/Burke/Vienna, etc. This really isn't the place to ask where to meet people. They've already met all the people they like and hate everyone else. Sad, but there it is.

I would never compare Rockville and Vienna to Burke. Rockville and Vienna are not very far away and see friends who live there regularly. Burke is hella far away, and the one person that I know who has moved out there has not made an effort to see friends who live in the close in suburbs or DC ever since she moved - like she hasn't even invited us over. And I don't even live THAT far from her, we're in Arlington. So some of this maybe that OP just doesn't want to drive to Arlington or wherever because it's just so far away for her.

Umm....have you ever been to any of these places? Burke is almost the same distance from DC as Vienna. I just google-mapped it to be sure. Vienna is 17 miles from the 7th and F Street NW. Burke is 19 miles from the same spot.

Look, I grew up in the Burke/Springfield area and have chosen to live in DC as an adult rather than move back there. But the myopia on this board with regard to neighborhoods is really unbelievable. Yes, Vienna is wealthier than Burke. But it's not actually much closer to the city.

"Umm..." Yes, obviously I've been to those places and from where I live (which is NOT 7th and F street NW, btw, that's so random), Vienna and Rockville are easier to get to than Burke. If you look a little closer at your google map, you'll see that Burke is further away from main roads and highways than Vienna and Rockville. Those cities are just a lot easier to get to - via 66 or 270 or whatever. Another example - people I know in Vienna and Rockville can take the metro to work or to meet up on weekends or evenings. My friend in Burke has to drive to the VRE and take that if she wants to take public transportation. The VRE does not run very frequently. It's just a lot less accessible than other areas.

[Anonymous]

Everyone here is busy. If you don't ask, you won't have friends. Period. Take responsibility and stop waiting for others to read your mind.