I moved so I could afford to retire, but I don’t know anyone here. How do I meet people?

Dear Grace,

I’m 67, and I moved to Georgia when I retired because I could afford it better. I don’t know anyone. I’m alone down here, and it’s getting to me. My family is in New York, but I can’t move back to be near family because I can’t afford it on my fixed income.

I don’t need a man. I just want somewhere to go other than my house and a few women friends to visit with. I really don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?

– Just A Little Lonely in Georgia

Dear Just A Little Lonely,

Moving to a new place at any age is hard, and doing it in retirement makes it even tougher. You left behind your whole life in New York, your people, the places you knew by heart. Of course you’re lonely! That’s a normal human reaction to a big change, not a personal failing.

You’re not the only senior who moved somewhere new in order to retire on a fixed income. Housing costs have skyrocketed, there’s a “cost of living crisis,” and fixed incomes that many retirees live on (pensions, social security, 401ks) just haven’t kept up. I think many of us wish that seniors could take the retirement they deserve at home in their own communities. How resourceful of you to find a way to retire in spite of that! You are clearly strong, brave, and determined. All of those qualities will help you build a new community in your new home.

Volunteer somewhere that matters to you.

Volunteering is friendship-making in disguise. When you’re working side by side with other women toward something you both care about, conversation flows naturally. Love animals? Try your local shelter. Want to help people? Meals on Wheels is always looking for delivery drivers, and you’d be amazed at how many friendships start in those carpool conversations. Libraries, food banks, hospitals—they all need help. Pick something that speaks to your heart and add it to your calendar.

Find other women with the same hobbies by joining a group or class.

If you had a hobby before retirement, now is the time to get back into it. If you’ve never had a hobby before, shop around until you find one you like. Georgia has senior centers in every county, and they’re goldmines for meeting women your age. Most offer free or low-cost classes like yoga, art, dancing, or computer skills. But the real magic of senior centers is that you’ll see the same faces week after week. That’s how acquaintances become friends. Show up to one thing that sounds even a little bit interesting, then keep showing up. Friendships take time to grow, but you’ve got to plant the seeds first. 

• Pro Tip: Call your local Agency on Aging at 866-552-4464 or visit aging.georgia.gov to find a senior center nearest you. 

If your local senior center isn’t right for you, try your local library or community college next. Libraries run book clubs and community colleges offer low-cost classes where you can learn something new—photography, gardening, cooking. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s showing up in the same place at the same time where other women are also showing up.

Make a weekly phone call date.

Being far away from family is hard, but it doesn’t mean that those relationships are gone. Make an effort to stay connected to your relatives from New York by setting a goal for who you reach out to and how often. That could mean sending an email once a month to your old neighbor, texting a grandchild once a week, or setting up a weekly phone call with a sibling. Make your communication with your NY people a part of your regular routine. This will help you stay connected and socially fulfilled while you’re building new relationships in Georgia. 

Making friends at 67 in a brand new state isn’t easy, but you can absolutely do this. You’re brave enough to move across the country. You’re resourceful enough to make your budget work. Use that same strength to put yourself out there, even when it feels awkward or scary.

You deserve connection and community, Just A Little Lonely. You deserve places to go and women to laugh with over coffee. Don’t give up on finding your people, they are out there!

With warmth,

Grace