Moving and making new friends in the time of Covid

[Anonymous]

My spouse got a new job and we're moving to the DC area. Neither of us are from there although we will be closer to my family (6 hour drive vs having to fly). The job is an amazing opportunity and we are excited for the move but then I realized I don't know how we will make friends. I know we will be social distancing for a long time but I have two kids under 5 and am very extroverted. We don't really know anyone and I'm worried about how many years it will take to make friends if we can't have anyone over, do birthday parties, attend large school events, etc. Not really a question here but a worry that I've been having about the move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My spouse got a new job and we're moving to the DC area. Neither of us are from there although we will be closer to my family (6 hour drive vs having to fly). The job is an amazing opportunity and we are excited for the move but then I realized I don't know how we will make friends. I know we will be social distancing for a long time but I have two kids under 5 and am very extroverted. We don't really know anyone and I'm worried about how many years it will take to make friends if we can't have anyone over, do birthday parties, attend large school events, etc. Not really a question here but a worry that I've been having about the move.

I'm so sorry, OP. this sounds really tough. If you haven't already found your new home, maybe prioritize a neighborhood with a really active listserv, as silly as that may seem? My neighborhood (Somerset, in Chevy Chase) has one, and it helps one to feel like part of the community even in this time -- you get to know people a bit through their postings. For example, we are doing town council meetings and election related events for people running for town council via Zoom. People are loaning each other things via the listserv and otherwise lending each other support. Maybe get a dog? This would be a good way to meet people during this time. our tennis courts just reopened, too; if you're into that ... My other suggestion would be to try to connect with other families who are new to the area, via listserv, social media, word of mouth with husband's new employer. That's how I met some of my best friends when I moved here, teaming up with other new folks...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My spouse got a new job and we're moving to the DC area. Neither of us are from there although we will be closer to my family (6 hour drive vs having to fly). The job is an amazing opportunity and we are excited for the move but then I realized I don't know how we will make friends. I know we will be social distancing for a long time but I have two kids under 5 and am very extroverted. We don't really know anyone and I'm worried about how many years it will take to make friends if we can't have anyone over, do birthday parties, attend large school events, etc. Not really a question here but a worry that I've been having about the move.

Hi! Welcome to the area and what a stressful time to move. It is not the same, but I’ve been getting to know my neighbors much better during this time. We move to the neighborhood we currently live in a few years ago, but still mostly hung out with friends across the DMV. Now, we are out walking all the time and see the same people over and over. We stay six feet apart, but talk daily. I know their names. We’ve discussed play dates when it is all over.

There is hope for connecting!

[Anonymous]

We talk a lot more to neighbors than before since everyone is home. Always stay 6 feet apart but there is a lot more socializing going on outside in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

We didn’t have plans to move for a couple years but are actually thinking of doing it now thanks to COVID. Keep zooming with friends from old neighborhood and when things open up, people will be starved for interaction. I bet it will be easy to make new friends because kids are all going to be starting over somewhat.