Making Friends in South Florida
 

Hi:<BR> Yes, I have posted before about the social scene and about my considering moving to Broward County area of South Florida. But, before you start yelling at me, I would like to put forth a rather pointed question, directed more at those actual floridians (or people that spend alot of time there, rather than tourists).<BR> I live in NYC...here I do find that it is pretty easy to make friends (both male and female...I am a single straight male) or develop nice relationships w/opposite sex).<BR>I have read some comments on the internet of people that live down there and say that it is much more difficult to make good friends (of both sexes) and find relationships in South Florida. I realize that you can't always go by a few persons comments, but I would appreciate some comments and feedback on this. I think South Fla is a really nice place to live, but would like to get some feedback from the locals about this....(the ones making the negative comments said people generally aren't very friendly there).<BR> Thanks in advance and I promise I won't bother you again (lol) !!!!

P.S.: I am referring to people of &quot;non-senior&quot; age...for seniors, I know South Fla is a great place to make friends/relationships....(just to clarify)...my dad is a &quot;senior&quot; down there, and he does great! (lol)....

Hi Craig,<BR>I would think that aside from some Southern reticence in becoming good friends with someone in a short time-that most people in Florida are friendly and would be easy to be social with.<BR>The atmosphere in Florida is one that I think is condusive to socializing..with all that sunshine, people always being outside, I think you got some bad advice. <BR>I found it just as easy to make friends here in NYC as it was when I lived in the South.<BR>I think you will be fine:)

Hello to NY Girl...thanks for the response. I do appreciate your encouragement. But, have you noticed, there were no replies from actual South Florida residents? I really hate to have to say this, but maybe those negative comments I read had some truth to them....

OK, here's one south Florida resident, but the west coast. I think those reports of &quot;hard to make friends there&quot; are a big crock. Usually they are made by people who came from their old established neighborhood or city where they had lots of friends. Yes, making friend is always difficult, and coming from a close knit group, it always is easiest to just blame the new area.<BR>You have to make an attempt. There are dozens of clubs and organizations where you can meet people who share common interests. The &quot;bar&quot; scene is very active and alive and filled with other new transplants all looking to make friends. <BR>I can't imagine why anyone would think people would be less friendly in Ft. Lauderdale than anywhere else in the world -- in fact, since it is a very high proportion of new &quot;transplants&quot; virtually everyone is looking to make friends as well.

Hi Craig--<BR>I moved to W. Palm Beach right after college and lived there for 8 years. Because I went to school in Tampa, I already had some friends spread out between Miami and WPB, so that made the move easier. I never found making friends in FL all that difficult, what I found hard was the transient nature of the place. Maybe it was my age group, but there was lots of movement and I'd say over half the friends I made down there didn't stay more than a couple of years--but then again I ended up relocating myself a couple of years ago to Atlanta.<BR><BR>I miss the water A LOT but that's about it. I enjoyed my time down there-- I had many, many great times, yet it never ever felt like home. I don't know that Florida is to blame or just where I was in my life....<BR><BR>Good luck!<BR>Debbie