How to Make Friends in Your New Neighborhood in Florida

Just move to a new neighborhood in Florida? If it’s brand new, like where I live in Estero, you’re in luck. Literally everyone (except my introverted husband) is looking to make new friends. You can basically walk down the street, introduce yourself, and you have a new best friend.

It’s a bit trickier, however, when you move into a community that’s been established for awhile. There’s a good chance that cliques have already been formed — and there will be times when you feel like you’re reliving the worst moments from your high school cafeteria.

But fear not. Extroversion is my middle name, and I know all of the tricks for finding (and keeping) friends wherever you go. Join me as I list my 10 tried-and-true ways for making friends in your new neighborhood.

1. Join Facebook

Never in a million years did I expect to be touting the platform where it’s much easier to lose a friend than gain one. After all, why spend my time scrolling through belligerent comments when you could be hanging out with people you actually like…in person!

But here’s the deal: Everyone in a planned communitiy happens to be on Facebook. Want to know if there’s an alligator in your front yard? Check Facebook. Want to know when the next bingo meetup is? Find it on Facebook.

Once I finally caved and signed up for an account, doors started opening. I knew when activities were happening. I could say hi when new people introduced themselves on the page. I could even offer to loan someone my spare fridge when theirs broke down.

So long story short, get on social media. Stay for the great information, and try not to get drawn into any drama that happens on the group pages. There’s much more fun things to do — like head to the pool.

2. Say hi to your neighbors

My husband hates this one. As a solid introvert, he’d rather die than knock on a new neighbor’s door and introduce himself. But here’s the thing, it’s truly one of the most thoughtful things you can do. When our new neighbors moved in, they were so appreciative that someone bothered to stop by and welcome them.

It gets a little trickier if you’re the new neighbor moving in. In that case, knocking on someone’s door might make you feel more like a solicitor. However, have no fear. Just skip the door knocking and say hi when you see people on your street.

Work up the courage to introduce yourself and ask a question about the neighborhood to keep the conversation going. Unless they’re getting into their car. In which case, just say hi and wait for a more opportune time.

3. Go on Walks

Consider this an easier version of step two. You get to say hi, but you don’t have to feel creepy. After all, it would be rude not to say hi if you pass someone on the street.

I love to take walks; so when I first moved to a master-planned community in Florida, I went on a walk almost every evening. It turns out, lots of people love to take walks too.

I saw the same people over and over again on my walks, The best part about this one is that even if you don’t meet anyone right away, you still get something out of it. Walking is one of the best (and least risky) forms of exercise.

It’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. But if you stick with it, I promise you, you’ll make a friend. What starts as a simple “hello” in passing eventually turns into stopping to chat for a few minutes. Those chats eventually grow longer. At some point, someone works up the courage to say, “We should play pickleball sometime.”

Bonus points if you start a walking group. Then you’ll have more friends than you know what to do with.

4. Go to the community pool

For those with their own swimming pool, it might be tempting to skip the clubhouse. After all, why schlep down the road when you have everything you need right at home and the drinks are free?

Well, here’s why. The community pool is like an afternoon mixer (no not the kind that you add to your vodka). People go to the pool precisely because they want to hang out. Otherwise they’d hang out at their own pool. Or worse comes to worst, their bathtub.

So lather on the sunscreen, grab your shades, and hit the water. Come prepared with a few light conversation starters. Here are some safe bets: where you’re from, the weather, and how much you hate your home builder. Works every time.

5. Go to community events

Community events are another great way to meet people. When I first moved to Florida, I was stressed about not having anything to do on the Fourth of July, my favorite holiday.

Luckily for me, our HOA threw a community pool party. I can’t imagine any other situation where I could show up to a party without being on the guest list. It was such a life saver. I even made some new friends there.

Don’t just wait for the holidays to come around. If your community offers classes like yoga or weight training, sign up for them. Even if you have to pay 12 dollars. If your development has a food truck, make sure you go. Don’t like the food? Go anyway. The more things you get involved with, the more people you’ll end up meeting.

6. Join a book club

How many times have you read a great book only to realize that you have no one to talk with about it? For book lovers, book club is a great place to meet like-minded friends. After all, just because you meet new people doesn’t mean you’ll click with them.

What I love most about book club is it’s generally a once-a-month commitment, so it’s a great option for those of who only have so much free time (not me counting down every second to retirement over here).

Here’s my one caveat. If you plan on showing up, do try to read the book. There are some serious book-clubbers out there, and they genuinely want to talk about literature. So if you’re looking for an excuse to socialize, but not much of a reader, keep scrolling. I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve.

7. Learn how to play pickleball

Believe it or not, I resisted learning how to play pickleball for a year after moving to Florida. My excuse? I just didn’t have the time. Someone’s got to write these blog posts.

But one day I finally succumbed to peer pressure and picked up a paddle. From then on, I was hooked. In addition to acquiring a new hobby — okay, obsession — I’ve made so many new friends along the way. I even have friends who are meeting people in other communities through pickleball.

And the best part? You get to exercise while having fun. That sounds like a win to me.

8. Volunteer in your community

With the holidays coming up, there’s no better time to organize a food drive or get involved with one that’s already planned for your community. In addition to giving back, you’ll make new friends along the way. Best of all, there’s a good chance that these new friends will be nice. I can’t imagine too many grinches showing up for a food drive.

In addition to organizing something in your community, you could look for a 5k run that contributes to a good cause. Check in with your local municipality to keep tabs on any local events heading your way.

9. Start your own club

Just because you move into a community that’s been established for a while doesn’t mean that you can’t shake things up and start a club of your own. If there’s something you’re passionate about, and you don’t see a club for it, make one on the spot.

I know a lady who loves to cook. When she moved to our gated community, she started a cookbook club. Every three months we choose a new cookbook, try out the recipes, and show up for a giant potluck with the dish we liked most.

If that’s too much of a commitment, consider just throwing out a Facebook post and asking if anyone wants to learn how to play cards or get together and knit. If you don’t get too many responses, don’t be deterred. People might just need a second nudge down the road. In the meantime, keep saying hi to those neighbors and going on walks around the block.

10. Attend a meetup

There’s a lot going on in Florida outside of your community. Find meetup groups in Florida for fun-filled activities like visiting a craft brewery, playing kickball, or attending an outdoor movie at the park.

I know a woman who made friends outside of our community before she ever connected with anyone within it. This knitter extraordinaire found a knitting group in Naples — and before she knew it, she had something fun to do every week.

Want to know how I became friends with her? She posted on our community Facebook page asking if someone could help her with a knitting question. I volunteered my services, and the rest was history. Which brings us full circle to the first item on our list. Make sure you sign up for that Facebook account. Trust me, it’s worth it.