I'm planning to move to San Francisco next year, and aside from my boyfriend, I don't really know anyone else up there. So I plan on doing a crapload of activities just to meet people. It's extra hard being out of school and not having that school environment to foster friendships. It's like... I'm gonna be out in the REAL world, and I don't know how people make friends in the real world! Plus, except when I am working with clients or the odd occasions when I work with a fellow photographer, most of the time I'm on my own. I actually contemplated hiring someone as an assistant just so I would have someone to talk to during the day. Is that too desperate?

So far, I've decided on taking dance classes, yoga classes, cooking classes, and joining this social activity club called "Urban Diversion". They do stuff like movie nights, white water rafting trips, dodgeball in the park, etc. I know that there are Yelp users in San Francisco who plan trips to restaurants, so I'm looking into that as well. Seriously, I'm very dedicated to the activity of finding new friends once I move.

Being friendless in a new environment is a really scary idea for me. And I know I would hate myself if I sat on my ass and wasn't proactive in searching out and getting to know new people.

The way I've met some of my best friends has been through some sort of activity, and so I figure that's the best way to start in a new environment. It guarantees that right from the beginning you'll have something in common. So if there are things you're interested in, try looking into classes or clubs for those things. And I'm sure New York has it's own version of social activity clubs like San Francisco does.

Oh! I know! New York has Improv Everywhere! Holy crap, I'm so excited for you. If there was a similar thing in California I would be all over it. I would absolutely look into joining one of their mission if at all possible. You get to meet new people and engage in some wildly funny flash mob/public displays of craziness.

Edit: Oh my goodness I just found an equivalent in San Francisco AND LA. I'm so happy right now! *looks into the SF Zombie Mob event*