7 Ways to Meet New People

It's so easy to meet new people when you're young. You can find friends in school, at extracurricular activities, at parties or through mutual friends.

But once we get a little older, other responsibilities like work and family seem to take up a lot more of our time. Old friends drift away, and our social lives dwindle to the occasional after-work drink with a co-worker. And if you relocate and move to a new town, making friends can seem downright impossible.

However, there are some ways you can get out in society again - and possibly meet some new people. Whether you're single and looking for a date, or a married couple that just wants to increase your social circle, these venues could help you connect:

Volunteer Work: Choose an organization or cause that's meaningful to you, so you'll be more likely to invest your time and energy. You could volunteer to do chores like office work, but getting involved in public events - like fundraisers - will help you meet more people. Don’t commit to more hours than you can handle, but make sure you're involved enough to actually interact with people.

Part-time Job: Pick up a few hours of work at a favorite location, like a local restaurant or shopping mall. You'll not only meet new co-workers, you'll also get a chance to interact with customers, too. Bonus: You earn a few bucks on the side!

Clubs/Organizations: Maybe your library has a book club. Perhaps there's a local business women's group. Or maybe there's an art council you can join. Get active in a local organization and sign up for a committee. You'll not only meet people in the group, you may also be part of public events and activities, too.

Church: If you have a faith, look for a local church or place of worship in your town. You can just attend services, but you have a better chance of meeting people if you become active in the church community. Volunteer for an event or attend church socials.

Art Classes: Many communities have an arts council or organization that also offers classes to the general public. Consider taking a painting or drawing class, or even an art appreciation class.