I am 20 years and out of college. I moved out of my parents house during college and lived my bro and loved it. Now I am living in a different town and living by myself. I know pretty much no one here and I hate it. I think it sucks coming home in the evenings to no body at all. I have a lot of time to myself now but find myself depressed that I am not around my family or friends, and am so far away from them during the week. I love coming home and having SOMEONE to talk to, just an empty apartment now though. I really miss all of my friends and family from back home and can't stand it sometimes up here, I don't know if it would be best to try and find a roommate or what. Any ideas?

I LOVE living alone, and this is why. I get my peace and quiet. I can do private things wherever in my apartment that I want to, I can walk around naked if I want.

I know being far from friends and family is difficult, I live 300 miles from mine. Visits are fun. Do you work? Go to school?

Get a pet! It's fantastic to come home and see how excited my dog is that mommy is home. She runs around and sits on my lap as soon as I sit. It's a great feeling! Someone looks forward to you coming home, and they are great to tell secrets to! Trust me, my chihuahua knows things about me that no one else does.

I have to agree with chihuahuamomma... I love living alone. Hectic all day... and I come home... and it's peace and quiet.

I agree, getting a pet may help, but if you don't have the time/energy to devote it to the pet, then I don't recommend it.

Have you tried volunteering? Joining a book club of some sort? Maybe even going out on your own to meet people?

The apartment complex I live at only allows cats, but it costs a lot more here to own one with the deposit and extra money per month, not worth it, or I would get a dog if I could. I work here now and I think its hard meeting people on my own. It's usually nice to have some connections or something, or go around with someone else and meet people. Still talking to others when I do here doesn't feel the same as being with friends that are close. I need to get involved somehow.

Hamsters?

Volunteer buddy. Perhaps you can start going out with your work friends? If not, really, try to go out on your own. It's a bit scary the first time, but you get used to the fear of rejection.

Everyone I work with is at least 10 years if not 20 years older then me. Kind of hard to make a good friendship with people I work with. I mean not really going to want to hang out with each other at least lol. But I really don't know where to go around here to meet some peeps.

The thing is, the lab I used to work at had mostly 40 year olds... while I was in my 20s. I went out for drinks with them every now and then, and later got to know their cousins and nieces... worked out well.

Are there any bars in your area? A college perhaps? A library? Homeless shelter? Pet shelter?

I'm only 20 so I can't go to the bars. I tried to go with a guy from work once and they kicked me out. There is a small community college I think, but I don't know where everyone is at lol. I wish there were like under 21 clubs or something like I have heard about in larger towns. I may try to join a fitness gym or something if its not to expensive here.

There you go. A gym is a decent place to meet a buddy, at least to spot you or something.

Obviously, if you're underage... the clubs and bars are out of the question.

I really think that volunteering at a local pet shelter, homeless shelter, library, or even joining a book club will do wonders.

Volunteering at one of those places does sound like it would be a place to meet "good" people, but I've never done any of that lol. IDk what that would be like or anything, I could go to the library and ask I suppose.

Yeah. Volunteering at a local pet shelter's actually pretty fun. You usually get to play with the dogs, clean up after them, and just hang out with the people there. GREAT place to meet girls, by the way.

Lol I'll try to find one and see if they take volunteers. Thanks for the advice and staying online by the way

VOlunteering rocks your socks. I volunteered all throughout middle school and high scchool with the local Humane Society. And volunteered for the second chance shelter here for a while. I love it.

See? You can pick up good looking middle schoolers and high schoolers.

... err... stay away from the middle schoolers.

In fact, stay away the high schoolers too... Geez, ISF.

But to meet someone volunteering is great. I still have friends that I met volunteering. And it's 5 years late.r

... what? He's 20! A senior in high school's fair game... for him.

Even a 16 or 17 year old senior?

Woot middle schoolers lol, jk. I'll try to find something to volunteer for, and get a little more involved. IDK a senior I would think would be OK 17+, but would be a lot beter to find someone my age at least.

There are some really fun places to volunteer at. Is there a YMCA close? You could volunteer there.

Ah... well... if a 18 year old is OK for me... :)

Just kidding, not a HUGE fan of high schoolers. I'm trying to fiend off my 15 year old brother's friend. It's been... a hassle. Those kids are really persistent. :(

hybridtek, volunteering not only helps you meet people, it also gives you something to do to pass the time, and also, playing with those dogs will give you a feeling of self satisfaction. Library, pet shelters, homeless shelters, and even hospitals are good places.

Good luck bud, let us know how you're doing.

YES, there is a YMCA and I've never been in a town that had one to join. IDK what kind of stuff I could volunteer doing but a few people have told me to join that. I hope its not to expensive. What other kind of places could I volunteer at

Volunteering doesn't cost anything. If anything, if you volunteer, there's a good chance they'll give you a discounted membership.

As I mentioned before, hospitals, library, pet shelter, homeless shelter, etc.

Alrighty, thanks you guys. I'll let you know how I am doing and if it gets any better for me up here :)

Definitely let us know!

I am much older than you are but I do remember what it was like to be 20 and on my own and lonely. You have to look around and see what is available and what interests you. Join something that you have an interest in, take some lessons in something, or work at helping others. If you get busy doing something the friends will come and then you will be okay.

Finding a room mate will not be the solution for finding friends. A room mate is never a good idea to befriend. She needs to be some you LIKE, but when it gets too personal, inevitably there will be conflict... it's akin to become close w/ your neighbors. You WANT to like them, but keep a polite distance.

I do not think it's a good idea to get a pet. A pet is not something you do/have while you're trying to "get a life". If you do end up getting busy it's that sweet pet that ends up neglected.:(

Can you move back home where your friends are? Or would that not be a good idea...

I think that anything connected w/ a college or university, activity-wise would be a good way to meet people your own age. You can check when they're having a dance? Or go to coffee shops that have people hanging out your age. Bring a laptop and do some work while your there, but don't forget to put yourself out there by being friendly and saying "hey". ;)

It's not that easy meeting people, but it's only as hard as you make it. Next time you're shopping for clothes get friendly w/ the sales people your age. Tell them you're new or your dying to meet new people. Meet hot guys... they have friends that are female... as funny as that sounds!:cool:

The only thing holding you back is you... We are all searching...

I agree with SweetDee for the most part, there are tons of places to meet new friends. You just have to put yourself out there.

However, just because someone has a busy life does not mean that their pet(s) are/is neglected.

Well, if your pet is a CAT then no, your pet is not neglected. If it's a dog THEN yes, it's very very neglected... lol!