Making friends in retirement

Best Retirement Communities Melbourne and VictoriaMaking friends as we get older can be a little unnerving. Good friendships are hard to come by, but when you find a good one, they are by far worth the investment. In fact, research suggests that spending time with friends can keep our minds sharp and our bodies alive and well, helping us to live longer and happier lives.

While it may not be as simple as it used to be in the school playground, there are still plenty of ways to make new friendships at any age. A few of our favourite ways to find and connect like-minded souls are listed below:

Volunteer:

Do you have a passion for helping others? Volunteering for a cause you care about is not only a great way to meet new people - but is a great way to feel a greater sense of purpose and become connected to something that inspires you. Making friends in this environment can also allow people to start a friendship with a deeper connection as you share a meaningful experience with one another.



Check out your local community boards:

Many suburbs have a local community board where people post information about their hobby groups or fundraising activities. Don't see anything you fancy? Why not consider posting your own callout to connect with others who have similar interests. Start a book club at your local library, a walking group with others in your area or a craft group with those who have a knack for the arts!



Host a gathering:

Why not 'kick it old school' and ask a few of your existing friends to come along to a small home gathering - asking them to bring one of their friends along. The beauty of connecting with mutual friends is that they've been hand-picked by some of your favourite people, so you're likely to have a number of things in common!



Online social media groups & forums:

Why not make friends in the comfort of your own home by connecting with like-minded people in a social media group or forum? If you're a little on the shy side and don't want to go out into the world to make new friends right away, consider joining a Facebook Group or engage with like-minded over 50s on your favourite blog or forum.

Some of our favourite social media groups and forums include: We Grew Up in Australia in the 50s, 60s and 70s, Aged Pensioner Power, Retiring Not Shy, 50 Shades of Age Blog, Starts at 60 (connect in the comments) and Sixty and Me Forum.

Starts at 60 also hosts a regular catch up for readers. Stay up to date with their events on their Facebook page.

Psst - while you're on Facebook, don't forget to check out our Facebook page where you can stay up to date with our future blog posts and connect with our 2,000 happy homeowners!



Meetup.com

Like looking at local community boards, Meetup is an online platform that connects people with common interests. Simply sign up to create an account, fill out your profile and search for "Meetups" in your local area. From gardening, cooking, craft and general friendships - there is something for almost everyone on Meetup.com.



U3A — University of the Third Age:

U3A offers a range of short courses on a wide array of topics. Their ethos is inspiring and is a great starting point for anyone who is looking to learn something new, update a skill and meet new people!



Join a community group:

There are often a number of community groups in different local areas. Why not consider joining a group such as the Lions Club, Rotary or Probus?



Move to a community!

While we know living in a community environment isn't for everyone, for many it can offer a great deal of companionship, a greater sense of security in a gated community environment and peace of mind knowing that you're surrounded by like-minded neighbours (who won't blast music at 2am in the morning)!

There are many different community options out there, from traditional retirement villages to a young and vibrant lifestyle community like ours. To find out more about our model and our practices, read our no-fuss guide.



How have you made friends over the years? Have you tried any of these tips before? Connect with us over on our Facebook page and tell us how.

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