How can I feel part of a new community?

Hi,
I've lived in your shoes, too...and boy, is it tough! I moved from a large city to a small university town, and it took a good 2-3 years to actually be able to say I have "friends" (not just random people/acquaintances I met).

I agree with visiting meetup, as well as take advantage of the university resources that you have at your fingertips! This is a great time to join a group or organization (that will allow you to, as a non-student), attend the free seminars and concerts..you never know who you'll meet! Actually, our first friends were people that we instantly connected with...other "transplants" from our hometown!

I learned the hard way not to depend on my then-fiance for all of my emotional and social needs. I was very lonely, and away from family also...and hindsight showed me that I was needing him to fulfill a million roles, and he just moved, too, and was feeling his own anxieties.

You are grieving, and give yourself time to mourn your old life, so that you can move on with your new life. Get rid of the guilt and know: it's okay to be sad! You won't be sad forever, as you're already taking steps to move onto your next phase. Think of this as a temporary adventure, and see how much sight-seeing, friend-making and adventures you can have/make in the next few months/years that you'll be there.

Lastly, you may have access to some of your fiance's student resources, including counseling. I found it helpful to talk with someone (for free!) at my new university about my feelings of loneliness and how difficult the relocation was on me. It was nice to be able to talk with someone else (again, and not need my fiance at every moment). It was extremely validating, and helped me go through the stages of bereavement/grieving.

Feel free to talk about your struggles more on empowher.com as well, as we're happy to talk with you about it. Take care, grieve purposefully, read a few books on your new place...and meet some new people! :-)

is hard but more than possible.

http://www.meetin.org is one great place - also -

join community theater, you could help with painting sets, the theater community is vibrant and friendly and open to new people from all walks.

Local libraries have lots of free activities going on during the week and weekdays with big social baords where you can read what's going on and where.

Ask at local coffee shops or pubs, tell them you are new in town and they might have lots of ideas. They have readings and musical nights too.

And when someone smiles and says hi - smile and say hi back! You never know!

Thanks Susan,
This all looks very promising. I guess that I have to just get out there and beat the shyness and I'll probably have a great time. I am lucky that my fiancee does try to spend as much time with me as he can.
It sounds like you are doing really well. You're an inspiration.
This will probably end up being the beginning of a better life for me too, though right now it seems so scary.