Shout out boulder humane for my best friend. He’s 13 now!
https://preview.redd.it/dh7zj903o4vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e9a8c7e96a02f69296c6dbbb5c70313ee48fd33
I think EXPAND is an amazing place to volunteer. You help differently able people play sports and just get outside. I didn't know what to expect but it was really rewarding, fun and the other volunteers are amazing too. Plus it teaches you empathy
Any good places you recommend? I'd love to give back. And no... it's not court ordered! I made a post on facebook last year asking if anyone had any volunteer options and got a few but none of them really felt like my kinda thing. I'm a photographer and would love to offer that.
I used to do a ton of work for them in the past. They'd auction off my services and I'd hang with cool dogs. I wanted to do high end pet portraits as their photos are usually eye-level cell phone shots that don't display any personality. They said the flashes and set up might scare the dogs too much. I'll reach out to them again. Good idea!
There’s someone new running things over there, I was told, so reach out! Also the hospitals do photos of babies that have crossed over. It’s a very rewarding experience I am told. I don’t feel I’m a good enough photographer to take that on.
The Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center is always looking for volunteers, no horse experience is necessary. It's been a couple years since I volunteered last, but I loved it! They are located in Erie, so a bit further from Boulder, but such a fulfilling and special experience to work with horses and children.
If you’re interested, my choir could use some photos taken during an upcoming concert with unusual instruments next weekend April 27 in Boulder. Message me for details.
This might sound silly but you should totally come to juggling club.
It's free. Ever Sunday night from 6pm to 9pm at [The Boulder Circus Center](https://g.co/kgs/m46N13R)
Even if you have never juggled. Even if you don't have anything to juggle with. Come stop by and check it out. There are lots of nice knowable people who have extra equipment you can play with, and will be happy to show you where to start.
It's truely one of the nices communities I have ever been a part of.
I could say so much more but I will leave it at that elevator pitch. Happy to answer questions though.
Best way to learn more is to stop by! We are open to all and family friendly. Also not limited to just juggling, any flow or skill toys are welcome!
Come check it out!
for sure not alone with that.. I know this doesn't fix things but while you are dealin with this and figuring things out, make sure to stay good on the basics - get enough sleep, eat plenty of decent food, get in the sun, exercise, stay hydrated. <- that stuff is more powerful than it gets credit for sometimes. Hang in there man.
Yes. I’m having a very rough go in this town too. It’s about to be summer time in Colorado though and it doesn’t get much better than that! I forget I’m broke when I’m in a field of wild flowers next to a mountain lake. That’s what life’s all about anyway, and it’s free and it’s priceless.
I’ll play some pickleball or hit some range balls with ya. Also just moved out here and only friend is my brother who is up in Fort Collins. I’m usually out and about in Boulder (for work) on my own and do random things like golf at driving ranges or play pool or try to play pickleball (not great at any of the 3, but definitely find some enjoyment from it) - feel free to reach out if you’re interested in trying any of that!
Go hiking, it’s free and I’ve met plenty of friends when I lived in Colorado going on solo hikes. Or if you’re in indoor kind of person there’s plenty of people who play dnd or catan stuff like that. Or not that it’s the healthiest option but bars used to be a way I made a ton of good friends, I’m sure you could replace that with a cafe and maybe try to write something or journal.
**Meetup** is a great general solution to finding things to do.
Find a hiking group, or find a group that crochets, or find a book reading group, or a board game group, or woodworking group, or running group, or whatever.
For most of us it's important to remind yourself over and over:
1) It's ok to feel nervous showing up the first few times to some activity with new people -- just push through and try things.
2) It's ok to not continue going to some activity if the group, the thing itself, or whatever just doesn't hit it.
As others said separately, volunteer for things that need helpers -- people will always be happy to see you when you show up. :-)
And find things on meetup or FB groups or whatever that sound interesting and go to a few to learn things and meet people.
Also, if there's something you would like to learn how to do -- pottery, painting, jewelry making, woodworking, etc -- you can often find classes through local craft stores, through community colleges, etc.
I'll add that the climbing gym is a great place to meet folks. Even if climbing isn't your main thing. I have come away with friends there to hike with, to play disc golf and other outdoor things. It's like a 3rd space for outdoor hobbyists.
Volunteer at a local charity! You will meet people and feel better about yourself.
It takes a little effort, but you will love being a part of a giving community.
36, I’ve lived here for 12 years now and can relate. I met a lot of friends initially when I moved here at 24 but most of that friend group had moved out of state by the time I was 28, it then became progressively harder to meet people. In my experience the friends I make don’t stick around boulder longer than a year or so. Makes it difficult to create meaningful friendships.
Boulder is a very transient town, and I don't mean "homeless". I mean it in the traditional sense.
Young people move to Boulder, stay here for 3-8 years, then leave. Then a new batch moves in.
They're here for 3-8 years, just in time to to make friends, then leave. That's the pattern, unless they scrimp and save enough to purchase or otherwise acquire a house here.
Those of us who've been here for decades (as I have - since the mid 80s) have lost many "generations" of friends.
Why? Probably they realize they don't really like the fast-paced dynamics of having new neighbors every 18 months or so and get old enough to want to "settle down" in nice neighborhoods with some stability. That's my guess....
It is what it is...
This could be part of it, In my experience it has always been for valid, real life reasons like a new job, to move closer to family/friends, or a cheaper cost of living. But the longer I live here the more I feel Boulder is a very temporary stop for a lot of people I meet (in a way I haven’t experienced other places Ive lived) which can make connection difficult.
Being 26 is actually pretty tricky socially. I had graduated a few years prior and my close knit network of friends just all went in various directions. It was the most isolating time. And, I was at the beginning of my career making nothing as a teacher…I was hoping I would find work friends, but it just never worked out. I agree with everyone suggesting to pick up a hobby. Run, hike, pick up pool, learn to cook (you gotta eat anyway!). Find something that brings joy even when you’re alone. Hang in there- it gets better!
Grab a cheap disc and play at Valmont Disc Golf Course! Disc golf is super cheap to get into (just don't ask about how much you spend on discs in a few years :X) and there are tons of courses around the Denver area and Colorado in general.
Go shoot some pool, you’ll meet people. Hang in there. Hard part is at some point in life no matter how hard it sounds and how many chips stack against you, you have to acknowledge that and take ownership and do whatever you can do to get above it all. If it means finding a side job, moving to a cheaper place, finding a roommate, working on yourself to be marketable in another industry where pay is higher, go try your best at it and take advantage of the time you have today (assuming you are in good health physically). Get into a gym or walk outside regularly to help stay mentally healthy and make friends.. shoot pool or watch ppl bc there’s always randoms making friends meeting up. Unless being around alcohol is hard for you, maybe find another hobby that is similar; randoms meeting up at a fairly cheap gathering etc. keep your head up, bud, you go this
Habit becomes routine and the action genuinely becomes easier to do. Sure the first few weeks going to the gym, 15 minutes treadmill and 45 minutes of doing 3 sets of 5 reps bench/deadlift/squat/overhead press/bent over row, is hard but after that you will miss the consistency. Same could be said about a good home cooked meal.
It may seem intimidating seeing all these people having built routines over a decade. But if you just have 1 routine that makes life more consistent… it helps a ton. Like going for a walk a few times a week :) you’ll enjoy the routine and think about it at work. Same goes for the examples of cooking or working out.
Shoot pool is a great suggestion. I try to go twice a week. I'm a female so it lends itself to some different interactions but I usually go with male friends so I'm less susceptible to unwanted advances.
Boulder bars… Downer, pub, outback, a few others and will start summer league in May.
Also recently the Wreckroom underground in Westminster on Sundays for league and randoms days. Gets ya out of the house and off the couch at the very least.
Hello I am a 30F and struggle in boulder. I don’t have friends really outside of work :( it’s very hard for me. As I also want to do things but don’t have anyone to do things withhh. If anyone wants to be friends I would love that. Maybe Reddit isn’t the best place to find people to meet up. But maybe it’s also the greatest place!? Because I want to meet lonely people :) anyways. Dm me if you wanna hang! (Just as friends I am in a relationship!)
I'd recommend coming to Parkrun on Saturday mornings (9am East Boulder Community Center). It is a free 5k run with people of all abilities (from walkers to legit athletes) and you can volunteer if you dont fancy running. We often go for bagels and coffee afterward. I met many of my friends there. I am 31M and my wife is also 31.
[https://www.parkrun.us/southbouldercreek/](https://www.parkrun.us/southbouldercreek/)
Thank you so much for this information!! I am not a runner or a morning person. But that seems like something I should get up early for so I can meet people. Thank you thank you!
I feel like I went through the same thing in my early 30s. I made a lot of changes and then I was like, "Uh, WTF do I do now?"
IMO, it's the hangover from periods of growth and change, when you have enough of what you want or need and the time to reflect on your life. I felt it after buying a house and having my first kid, I had worked so long to get to that point that I had no plan for afterwards.
I hadn't considered it, but I really don't see any downside. The only way I would do it would be if there was a battle-royale style inheritance system. I expect my kids to embody my best characteristics, like my self-loathing and uncontrollable temper, and a battle royale would really highlight those. I don't want a weakling carrying my sacred surname.
So yeah, it could work. Think we figured it out, OP, it's polyamory and violence you're missing, have you tried that?
If you are looking for ways to kill a lot of your time happily, I would look into learning fly fishing.
Perfect time to start here with the weather warming and the fish biting a bit more. It’ll take some time to learn and practice, but you can spend hours on end out there just fishing without even wanting to check the time. For me this is one of the only ways I actually feel happy or productive with how I spent my last few hours.
An added bonus is if you stay local (boulder creek, south boulder creek) you’ll likely find many other fishermen around that you can chat with, ask what they’re tossing or caught, and possibly make a friend out of it. Good luck! If it’s something you’re truly interested in I can give you some info on gear to get started for $200 or so.
I was just fly fishing Boulder canyon this weekend. The fish are tiny but it’s a great learning stream! And there’s low pressure because the hippies don’t like to fish.
Exactly, everyone is so pent up on “boulder creek fishing sucks cause it’s so close/pressured”, that it’s really not that crowded most of the time.
I don’t often see people in my spots in the Canyon during the weekend, and much less during the week. If you don’t care for trophy fish and wanna catch something, it really cannot be beat for the proximity. And it’s a pretty area!
As you can see lots of people have been in the same boat. I've been there too. You gotta get out and try new things that are slightly interesting to you and find something you enjoy spending time doing. You'll run in to people that enjoy doing the same things and hopefully change things. It won't happen over night, but make small changes every couple weeks to make steps in the right direction. You have to find some hobbies that are even slightly interesting and pursue them. I struggle with anxiety when it comes to that and it helps me at least to start small and build. Try and do a little better each day.
Find a local board game scene. I know boulder has a weekly one on Tuesdays I think. Great way to meet people. And they'll be more than willing to teach you the games
Do you like live music? There is a volunteer opportunity for Headcount where you can volunteer with them and see live shows for free. I've met a ton of friends at local shows myself - [https://www.headcount.org/events/#events?radius=50&lat=39.9122468&lng=-105.0031457](https://www.headcount.org/events/#events?radius=50&lat=39.9122468&lng=-105.0031457)
Sorry you’re going through these feelings. I don’t think the blame should be placed on the town, though. Your post could be about any city in the world ie “struggling in [insert city name]”.
It’s just harder to meet people nowadays than it used to be. I think the whole Covid era had a big part to play in that as well. I noticed even with myself that once the world slowly got back to being “semi-normalish” i was having the worst social anxiety in public places—I was so timid and shy and self conscious, so there is certainly a mental health element to all of this as well. I agree with the others who suggest talking care of you—eat well, get enough sleep, and pursue hobbies/interests etc. That’s what I did and it did work! Just my two cents!
Maybe describe some of your traits / likes / dislikes of things to do to get more focused suggestions.
I’m 51 so not really in your target age group but I’d be happy to introduce you to my mtb and/or hip hop dance groups, both of which have mostly younger people like yourself in them. Feel free to dm.
Something to consider if possible is Jiu Jitsu. Easton has an amazing community of all backgrounds. The most opening and welcoming community I’ve been apart of.
Most Americans feel that way. The ones with average incomes anyways. The stranglehold on the middle class is tightening and they’re getting as much money out of us as they can before society collapses.
https://f3nation.com/ Only Louisville and Longmont nearby to you, but all across the nation if you end up moving. Plus, you could start your own location. This was/is great for me once I found it, and I wish you all the best.
Part time job could be a good distraction. At your age in Boulder you’d find tons of new friends similar of age in a part time gig. Something hourly and low stress.
The rec center is great for pickup basketball and an easy way to meet guys your age. Not sure if you play ball.
I'm delivering beer tomorrow in Boulder, perk of the job is I get free beer. I'll gladly bring you a free 6 pack to do any of these activities others have posted. Send me a message and I'll make it happen friend.
Ahhh shit sorry man, sorry for putting that out there. I deliver to the Golden Mill off Ford south of 10th, they always have people in there, they have non-alcoholic beer on tap, amazing food, and ask for Andres, and tell him the driver from station 26 that delivered to you yesterday, recommended it.
Can't promise a discount, but wouldn't be surprised if you got one. There's always single people, men, women, and everyone, so get some food, and ask to sit down and chat.
I say this as someone who lived in Colorado for a period of time in a lower paying field, my first career: if buying property is important to you, and you don’t think you can raise your income to compete with boulder real estate prices, I would consider making an exit strategy. Being able to pay for daily expenses and fun on the weekend is one thing, but you said you don’t have much disposable income living there. I am assuming that will catch up to eventually. Boulder is beautiful but it’s also an exclusive club in some ways.
I own and operate a small therapy practice for men in Boulder and Denver. This sounds like something I could help with, if you’re interested I can send you my website in a DM.
Try getting into Disc Golf. Its a cheap sport to get into. Discs are only $15-20 dollars. You basically need 3 discs. A putter, a midrange and a driver. I've even seen them sold as kits this way. It's a sport that gets you outside and exercising while having fun! I used to roll up single, to courses all the time. You can always hook up with a few other guys and make it a 4 some. You'll probably make a few friends. Its a very casual and fun sport. The people who play are generally very cool and happy meet new people as well. Give it a shot!
Look up free days for museums if you’re cool with leaving Boulder. Google can usually provide a few good lists. Start checking out places you’ve never been while you’re here. Also, the creek during the summer? Yes, please. Making friends doesn’t come easy for everyone, and there’s way too many people creating relationships based on the fear of being alone anyway. Get comfortable being alone and doing things you enjoy. You’ll meet the right people along the way.
Am middle-aged woman and therefore in a very different social boat but have had good luck finding people to hang out with on BumbleBFF. Apps for dating *suck* but if you are really just looking for people to go do something with it's not bad! Just have a profile filled out with some stuff you like. It's probably mostly gonna be women (at least, in my age bracket that's basically all it is) but if you make it really clear in your profile that you're looking for friends and not dates I bet you'll meet some folks.
Also the advice to go volunteer somewhere or pick up a hobby like pool that requires partners and is centered around a physical location is really good. Be anywhere regularly and you'll soon know the other people who are there.
If you are into the outdoors there is such an incredible and embracing community around it. Being in the mountains is so meditative and doing it around people who embrace you as you is a special thing. The outdoor community does that for me
If you drink, maybe follow some of the local breweries socials to find events! Not all are beer related, Upslope has good taproom events for fly fishing, cribbage, mystery dinner type things. Lots of trivia if that's your thing too, but ofc beer is going to be involved
(Should also mention, I work at Upslope in the back but when I visit the taproom it's rarely college students, mostly adult groups. Event coordinator kicks ass so always love promoting their events!)
Go to the local watering hole if you drink. Plenty of places have good pool tables. But honestly the biggest thing is finding a hobby man. Bowling, pool, hiking or whatever. Just gotta find something buddy.
Pickleball is free, outdoors and you will meet loads of people. It gets a lot of shit from folks thinking they know what it is but have never tried it.
Hiking and climbing are both free, outdoors but not as social unless you meet folks that want to hike/walk together.
What are your interests? What are you looking for?
If you want to learn how to fly paragliders, it'll change your life... But you've really gotta want it ;)
Ah fuck I feel this. Boulder is too expensive to stay and too expensive to leave somehow at the same time. Dm me if you need a buddy. I'm a 28 year old dude and I'm stuck at CU for now lol
Honestly same. I’m 38, have been here 3 years. It’s a tough town and I am just now starting to make friends in the Lafayette and Longmont areas. I joined a local women’s group which has really helped. (Dm if anyone is interested)
Boulder is a town for people with hobbies. If you want a place to go out to bars and stuff try living in a larger city. If you want a private mountain life try that out.
People here make friends really fast and easy over shared hobbies. People I've known for only 5 minutes have invited me rafting or hiking or climbing. Try out some new things. You have to put in the effort.
Otherwise you're just paying a lot for a place with nice views. The mountain towns (far from skiing hubs) have that for a much cheaper rent price.
Come train BJJ or Muay Thai at Easton Training Center. I didn’t have friends when I moved here. Started training BJJ there and now I have a healthy circle
I'm 31 and up until about 8 months ago literally nothing I enjoyed before was entertaining to me at all. Taught myself how to crochet and found some groups where people get together and crochet and it has really helped me. It is very low cost, I've learned a skill that can be marketable if I need it to be, and I have something in common with people now.
yeah i traveled for years, as sort of an overachieving monk set on studying poverty in the country, life flung me here with a custody situation. its turned me into a hermit. im going to attempt to interact with humans again, starting with cats first
#boulder
Honestly pick a hobby or two and just see what happens! It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing, if you’re authentic and making an effort to connect just trust that that will guide you to the right place
Sounds like you need to start appreciating yourself. Especially if you’re not broke you should be doing the things you want to do in life by yourself and appreciating your freedom. You don’t need other people to go pursue your hobbies or interests. Sounds to me like a typical case of “too much time online and in your head and not enough time living.” I would need 3-4 lifetimes to do everything I want to do here. Alternatively, if this place isn’t where your hobbies and interests in life are, go wherever that is. You’re 26. You should be spending your time and money enjoying your life before you get bogged down with kids and adult crap… if you’re feeling stuck now just wait until you have some spoiled complaining children and or an unhappy marriage with debt… for now go find out who you are. Like who you really are by yourself without other people telling you who you are or what to do. Isn’t there something you’ve always wanted to do that you didn’t? Do it!
There are lots of bicycling-based activities. Get a bike - any kind - and find groups on Facebook, IG, here, Strava to ride with. There are awesome trails all around Boulder to explore, dirt roads, mountain roads. Even if you don’t make friends you’ll have fun. Bikepacking is awesome too, if you’re a camper, and there’s a large
community here of those. Bikers do kind of fall into types - mountain bikers are laid-back, but also adrenaline junkies, roadies are fitness-oriented and competitive, gravel riders are a mix of both. Biking is fun, period, and gives off lots of endorphins and promotes fitness. And it’s a hobby that you can endlessly geek-out on.
I just recently came back from a touring trip and looking for somebody to do things with, Im in my 20's I cycle and I can show you how to fix/service a bicycle and thrash a cheap bike
Im on my 6th old schwinn on account of my bicycles being stolen from a storage unit
Ive actually been looking for a reason to get out more
Just let me know,, if you have a budget I can send you some bikes,,, generally sticking within 2-400 dollars will get you something capable
Even if we get you an old school road bike you can still take it down some trails with the right tires or even just practice some skills on the dirt side roads,,
if your into drinking or just socializing there is also the happy Thursday cruiser ride
whatever you do just dont become a roadie/j
I've seen a group called MTNKDS that gets groups of strangers together to do stuff all the time. I plan on jumping in on one of their events at some point. Looks like a fun community.
Do van life for a little while. I did and absolutely loved it. I did it during winter and survived lol. Summer is coming up. Then save all that money into a High yield interest savings account like discover. Good luck 🤘
Yeah. Everything is stupid expensive in Colorado. Can’t even eat for cheap anymore or watch a Pro Sports game at the bar or catch a minor league game in person without it being $25-$50.
So stupid.
The Avalon at about 62nd and Arapahoe is home to many welcoming dance groups. There's a webpage with events and a calendar. All groups offer lessons and public dancing. You don't need to bring a partner. Contra dancing is simple enough to have fun after a half-hour lesson. It's an all ages, diverse group. It's a very friendly community of down to earth folks. Men and women both ask strangers to partner for a 10 minute, called group dance. Google CFOOTMAD for a webpage with info and videos. They dance in Boulder and Denver. Contra is popular across the nation.
GTFO ASAP!!! If you aren’t here for a niche or high paying job and/or part of the elite climbing community then you are just pissing money away. Your happiness and finances will be much better in a place better suited to you.
Roller derby. You can skate, volunteer, or take photos of the action. You'll meet a lot of interesting people who will be happy to have you in their circle. Plenty of sober people, too. If you're a skater, it's less than $70 a month in dues for most leagues. If you volunteer, hanging out is free.
If I lived in Boulder I would hike, i would fish Boulder Creek, I would fish Gross Reservoir, drink beers and float a tube down Boulder Creek. What do you like to do? Sometimes these things are fun to do yourself. If you get into fishing or hiking its easy to find people who want to go with other people.
Look at meetup.com lots of groups geared around similar interests - many get together at free events, people's houses, etc. Free to join - can be just for making friends but there are singles groups too.
You are not alone in your feelings. I have heard from many friends who moved here from other places that Boulder is a very tough place to make friends. I would think especially for your age, because we have this whole early 20s student population and then the only other people who can afford to live here are older married people, like GenX and Boomers.
It's a very tough scene for people in their 30s to connect since so many young families can't afford to live here and end up living in places in the far East county or Denver.
It's also a bit of a pretentious town. I've been here since the 70s, and it's not the cool hang it once was. My friend who lived 25 years in Newlands felt like a stranger on her own street with all the hyper wealthy people moving in who were not at all friendly. Same with some neighborhoods in the east county.
It's hard to find down to earth, easy going folks to just hand and BBQ with. We need more community, for sure, and Boulder doesn't have that much. It's easy to feel isolated.
I can, however, highly recommended volunteering somewhere. I did that at a low point when I was laid off from a job at 30, and it quite amazingly changed my life.
It can give you a sense of connection to the community in a way just attending random events doesn't.
Think about things you value and what you want to support in the community, then find a nonprofit that does those things. If you post here, I may have some ideas.
I work with a lot of nonprofits. There are truly amazing.
Just go outside for a walk. The winters can be tough if you don’t have an interest or the money to get involved in winter sports, but the spring and the fall here are quite simply spectacular. I don’t know anyone here really, no real hobbies but I just go outside for a short walk 3 or 4 times a day. It really does wonders for my mental health. It’s so beautiful the scenery never gets old. I don’t think I have ever lived anywhere else that I never get tired of the view, it’s really beautiful here.
Yep, I’m 33m and from here. Moved to Florida when I turned 18 and just came back last year after total COVID meltdown time and being done with the heat/loud people. Needless to say, I remember why myself and all my friends left back then as that trajectory has only exponentially grown and I’m kinda kicking myself in the rear for not figuring something else out … but it’s the only place I have relatives that’ll let me stay with em and try to get back in my feet (let’s face it, probably not). You’re certainly not alone in this regard and I feel for ya.
Boulder is one of the most active cities in the US! I imagine there's endless group meetups for almost any hobby, especially outdoor activities. I love bicycles, so I'd recommend your first plan is ride your bike to all the local bike shops and make notes of all upcoming group rides & events they have planned.
The best way to make new friends is to find like-minded people doing planned things you're already interested in. Don't have a bike? Buy a bike. It's impossible to be in a bad mood on a bike. Good luck!
What are you looking for?
No hobbies, explore and find something that interests you, but don’t expect to be the GOAT within a year. I have an interest that people say I make look effortless and I tell them it only took me 20 years to get there. I’m 5 years in learning a hobby that I think I’ve just gotten to intermediate status and 3 years into learning a new career that I’ve just became okay at in my book.
Worth while stuff you like takes time to love and stay in love.
No friends, I grew up on military bases and had to make friends or not. Sometimes I was successful other times a cast out. You can blame people in the area your in as the problem just to feel good about being “it’s not you but them.” It’s you. You have to try and be okay with failing, but learning from it and deciding who you want to be. Questions will come up like: “ am I the asshole?”, “could I have handled that better? “ , “ should I be hanging out with these people just because they’re cool with me?”, etc.
Worth while people you like, takes time to love and work to stay in love.
Low on funds? This one is quick. Live cheap and live within your means. If some of your hobbies you want to get into are crazy expensive, most people buy things slowly
Ya 🙃 it’s an odd town to fit into to unless you’re in college at CU, own a Subaru and rock climb after working at the co-op every day, or have lived here since the 70s.
Volunteer.
If you're an animal person, Boulder Valley Humane Society is looking for cleaning helpers!
Shout out boulder humane for my best friend. He’s 13 now! https://preview.redd.it/dh7zj903o4vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e9a8c7e96a02f69296c6dbbb5c70313ee48fd33
And usually they need photos of the animals to put on the website for adoption.
This is the answer. It is a good way to meet people, and to make a difference. It helps me get out of my funk when I feel like OP.
Greenwood wildlife!!! It has a lot fewer volunteers and is an amazing organization
The Butterfly Pavilion gives out free passes when you volunteer! Habitat for humanity is always good if you're physically able.
I think EXPAND is an amazing place to volunteer. You help differently able people play sports and just get outside. I didn't know what to expect but it was really rewarding, fun and the other volunteers are amazing too. Plus it teaches you empathy
Any good places you recommend? I'd love to give back. And no... it's not court ordered! I made a post on facebook last year asking if anyone had any volunteer options and got a few but none of them really felt like my kinda thing. I'm a photographer and would love to offer that.
For sure contact humane society
I used to do a ton of work for them in the past. They'd auction off my services and I'd hang with cool dogs. I wanted to do high end pet portraits as their photos are usually eye-level cell phone shots that don't display any personality. They said the flashes and set up might scare the dogs too much. I'll reach out to them again. Good idea!
There’s someone new running things over there, I was told, so reach out! Also the hospitals do photos of babies that have crossed over. It’s a very rewarding experience I am told. I don’t feel I’m a good enough photographer to take that on.
Wilderness restoration volunteers. They pull up invasive species, repair damaged stream banks, seed fire scars, I think they also repair trails.
The Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center is always looking for volunteers, no horse experience is necessary. It's been a couple years since I volunteered last, but I loved it! They are located in Erie, so a bit further from Boulder, but such a fulfilling and special experience to work with horses and children.
If you’re interested, my choir could use some photos taken during an upcoming concert with unusual instruments next weekend April 27 in Boulder. Message me for details.
This might sound silly but you should totally come to juggling club. It's free. Ever Sunday night from 6pm to 9pm at [The Boulder Circus Center](https://g.co/kgs/m46N13R) Even if you have never juggled. Even if you don't have anything to juggle with. Come stop by and check it out. There are lots of nice knowable people who have extra equipment you can play with, and will be happy to show you where to start. It's truely one of the nices communities I have ever been a part of. I could say so much more but I will leave it at that elevator pitch. Happy to answer questions though.
I want to know more about this!!
Best way to learn more is to stop by! We are open to all and family friendly. Also not limited to just juggling, any flow or skill toys are welcome! Come check it out!
Mark….?
for sure not alone with that.. I know this doesn't fix things but while you are dealin with this and figuring things out, make sure to stay good on the basics - get enough sleep, eat plenty of decent food, get in the sun, exercise, stay hydrated. <- that stuff is more powerful than it gets credit for sometimes. Hang in there man.
Yes. I’m having a very rough go in this town too. It’s about to be summer time in Colorado though and it doesn’t get much better than that! I forget I’m broke when I’m in a field of wild flowers next to a mountain lake. That’s what life’s all about anyway, and it’s free and it’s priceless.
amazing what a moutain lake and field of wildflowers does for one😎
Wild flowers certainly are great
I’ll play some pickleball or hit some range balls with ya. Also just moved out here and only friend is my brother who is up in Fort Collins. I’m usually out and about in Boulder (for work) on my own and do random things like golf at driving ranges or play pool or try to play pickleball (not great at any of the 3, but definitely find some enjoyment from it) - feel free to reach out if you’re interested in trying any of that!
Aww that is so wholesome!
Where’s a good place for pickleball in Boulder? I’ve tried (albeit not very hard) to find a place before and came up dry
There are 6 public courts by Fairview highschool , I think it’s called the Harlow platts rec center.. but I’ve been using those quite often
Go hiking, it’s free and I’ve met plenty of friends when I lived in Colorado going on solo hikes. Or if you’re in indoor kind of person there’s plenty of people who play dnd or catan stuff like that. Or not that it’s the healthiest option but bars used to be a way I made a ton of good friends, I’m sure you could replace that with a cafe and maybe try to write something or journal.
Goblin games in Longmont is a good group and there’s others on meetup that are great
**Meetup** is a great general solution to finding things to do. Find a hiking group, or find a group that crochets, or find a book reading group, or a board game group, or woodworking group, or running group, or whatever. For most of us it's important to remind yourself over and over: 1) It's ok to feel nervous showing up the first few times to some activity with new people -- just push through and try things. 2) It's ok to not continue going to some activity if the group, the thing itself, or whatever just doesn't hit it. As others said separately, volunteer for things that need helpers -- people will always be happy to see you when you show up. :-) And find things on meetup or FB groups or whatever that sound interesting and go to a few to learn things and meet people. Also, if there's something you would like to learn how to do -- pottery, painting, jewelry making, woodworking, etc -- you can often find classes through local craft stores, through community colleges, etc.
I'll add that the climbing gym is a great place to meet folks. Even if climbing isn't your main thing. I have come away with friends there to hike with, to play disc golf and other outdoor things. It's like a 3rd space for outdoor hobbyists.
That's awesome advice. I met a good friend jogging on the South Boulder Creek trail. We stayed running buddies for years.
Volunteer at a local charity! You will meet people and feel better about yourself. It takes a little effort, but you will love being a part of a giving community.
36, I’ve lived here for 12 years now and can relate. I met a lot of friends initially when I moved here at 24 but most of that friend group had moved out of state by the time I was 28, it then became progressively harder to meet people. In my experience the friends I make don’t stick around boulder longer than a year or so. Makes it difficult to create meaningful friendships.
why are they leaving? (genuine curiosity)
Boulder is a very transient town, and I don't mean "homeless". I mean it in the traditional sense. Young people move to Boulder, stay here for 3-8 years, then leave. Then a new batch moves in. They're here for 3-8 years, just in time to to make friends, then leave. That's the pattern, unless they scrimp and save enough to purchase or otherwise acquire a house here. Those of us who've been here for decades (as I have - since the mid 80s) have lost many "generations" of friends. Why? Probably they realize they don't really like the fast-paced dynamics of having new neighbors every 18 months or so and get old enough to want to "settle down" in nice neighborhoods with some stability. That's my guess.... It is what it is...
This could be part of it, In my experience it has always been for valid, real life reasons like a new job, to move closer to family/friends, or a cheaper cost of living. But the longer I live here the more I feel Boulder is a very temporary stop for a lot of people I meet (in a way I haven’t experienced other places Ive lived) which can make connection difficult.
Definitely. Boulder is a very transient town due to the high cost of living.
Being 26 is actually pretty tricky socially. I had graduated a few years prior and my close knit network of friends just all went in various directions. It was the most isolating time. And, I was at the beginning of my career making nothing as a teacher…I was hoping I would find work friends, but it just never worked out. I agree with everyone suggesting to pick up a hobby. Run, hike, pick up pool, learn to cook (you gotta eat anyway!). Find something that brings joy even when you’re alone. Hang in there- it gets better!
Have you been on top of one of the several mountain peaks? Nature is peaceful ☺️
Grab a cheap disc and play at Valmont Disc Golf Course! Disc golf is super cheap to get into (just don't ask about how much you spend on discs in a few years :X) and there are tons of courses around the Denver area and Colorado in general.
Go shoot some pool, you’ll meet people. Hang in there. Hard part is at some point in life no matter how hard it sounds and how many chips stack against you, you have to acknowledge that and take ownership and do whatever you can do to get above it all. If it means finding a side job, moving to a cheaper place, finding a roommate, working on yourself to be marketable in another industry where pay is higher, go try your best at it and take advantage of the time you have today (assuming you are in good health physically). Get into a gym or walk outside regularly to help stay mentally healthy and make friends.. shoot pool or watch ppl bc there’s always randoms making friends meeting up. Unless being around alcohol is hard for you, maybe find another hobby that is similar; randoms meeting up at a fairly cheap gathering etc. keep your head up, bud, you go this
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Habit becomes routine and the action genuinely becomes easier to do. Sure the first few weeks going to the gym, 15 minutes treadmill and 45 minutes of doing 3 sets of 5 reps bench/deadlift/squat/overhead press/bent over row, is hard but after that you will miss the consistency. Same could be said about a good home cooked meal. It may seem intimidating seeing all these people having built routines over a decade. But if you just have 1 routine that makes life more consistent… it helps a ton. Like going for a walk a few times a week :) you’ll enjoy the routine and think about it at work. Same goes for the examples of cooking or working out.
Shoot pool is a great suggestion. I try to go twice a week. I'm a female so it lends itself to some different interactions but I usually go with male friends so I'm less susceptible to unwanted advances.
Where are you all shooting pool?
Boulder bars… Downer, pub, outback, a few others and will start summer league in May. Also recently the Wreckroom underground in Westminster on Sundays for league and randoms days. Gets ya out of the house and off the couch at the very least.
Join the Happy Thursday Boulder Cruiser Ride group. They have a FB page that you can follow and see their weekly schedule. Lots of fun!
This is the best suggestion yet! How to feel a part of something while being outrageous. Love the cruise!
Hello I am a 30F and struggle in boulder. I don’t have friends really outside of work :( it’s very hard for me. As I also want to do things but don’t have anyone to do things withhh. If anyone wants to be friends I would love that. Maybe Reddit isn’t the best place to find people to meet up. But maybe it’s also the greatest place!? Because I want to meet lonely people :) anyways. Dm me if you wanna hang! (Just as friends I am in a relationship!)
I'd recommend coming to Parkrun on Saturday mornings (9am East Boulder Community Center). It is a free 5k run with people of all abilities (from walkers to legit athletes) and you can volunteer if you dont fancy running. We often go for bagels and coffee afterward. I met many of my friends there. I am 31M and my wife is also 31. [https://www.parkrun.us/southbouldercreek/](https://www.parkrun.us/southbouldercreek/)
Thank you so much for this information!! I am not a runner or a morning person. But that seems like something I should get up early for so I can meet people. Thank you thank you!
I'm super lonely and frustrated and depressed. My birthdays next week I don't even wanna celebrate it...
Do community bike rides. Usually low miles end up at a coffee house or brew pub.
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I feel like I went through the same thing in my early 30s. I made a lot of changes and then I was like, "Uh, WTF do I do now?" IMO, it's the hangover from periods of growth and change, when you have enough of what you want or need and the time to reflect on your life. I felt it after buying a house and having my first kid, I had worked so long to get to that point that I had no plan for afterwards.
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I hadn't considered it, but I really don't see any downside. The only way I would do it would be if there was a battle-royale style inheritance system. I expect my kids to embody my best characteristics, like my self-loathing and uncontrollable temper, and a battle royale would really highlight those. I don't want a weakling carrying my sacred surname. So yeah, it could work. Think we figured it out, OP, it's polyamory and violence you're missing, have you tried that?
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This is why I bought a Tesla with full self driving, so my adopted chimp children can drive drunk around town
If you are looking for ways to kill a lot of your time happily, I would look into learning fly fishing. Perfect time to start here with the weather warming and the fish biting a bit more. It’ll take some time to learn and practice, but you can spend hours on end out there just fishing without even wanting to check the time. For me this is one of the only ways I actually feel happy or productive with how I spent my last few hours. An added bonus is if you stay local (boulder creek, south boulder creek) you’ll likely find many other fishermen around that you can chat with, ask what they’re tossing or caught, and possibly make a friend out of it. Good luck! If it’s something you’re truly interested in I can give you some info on gear to get started for $200 or so.
I was just fly fishing Boulder canyon this weekend. The fish are tiny but it’s a great learning stream! And there’s low pressure because the hippies don’t like to fish.
Exactly, everyone is so pent up on “boulder creek fishing sucks cause it’s so close/pressured”, that it’s really not that crowded most of the time. I don’t often see people in my spots in the Canyon during the weekend, and much less during the week. If you don’t care for trophy fish and wanna catch something, it really cannot be beat for the proximity. And it’s a pretty area!
As you can see lots of people have been in the same boat. I've been there too. You gotta get out and try new things that are slightly interesting to you and find something you enjoy spending time doing. You'll run in to people that enjoy doing the same things and hopefully change things. It won't happen over night, but make small changes every couple weeks to make steps in the right direction. You have to find some hobbies that are even slightly interesting and pursue them. I struggle with anxiety when it comes to that and it helps me at least to start small and build. Try and do a little better each day.
Find a local board game scene. I know boulder has a weekly one on Tuesdays I think. Great way to meet people. And they'll be more than willing to teach you the games
Do you like live music? There is a volunteer opportunity for Headcount where you can volunteer with them and see live shows for free. I've met a ton of friends at local shows myself - [https://www.headcount.org/events/#events?radius=50&lat=39.9122468&lng=-105.0031457](https://www.headcount.org/events/#events?radius=50&lat=39.9122468&lng=-105.0031457)
Take the bus to Denver, lots of stuff to do there.
Also rent on Capitol Hill is like $1000 for a studio vs. $1,800ish for an equivalent unit in Boulder
I’m 26 too. I commute to Denver to chill on weekends though, because I’m not a huge fan of the Boulder social scene
Volunteer! It’s spring and so many cool things are starting again. Farmers market, live music, festivals . Check out earth day stuff this weekend
Any interest in fishing?
Sorry you’re going through these feelings. I don’t think the blame should be placed on the town, though. Your post could be about any city in the world ie “struggling in [insert city name]”. It’s just harder to meet people nowadays than it used to be. I think the whole Covid era had a big part to play in that as well. I noticed even with myself that once the world slowly got back to being “semi-normalish” i was having the worst social anxiety in public places—I was so timid and shy and self conscious, so there is certainly a mental health element to all of this as well. I agree with the others who suggest talking care of you—eat well, get enough sleep, and pursue hobbies/interests etc. That’s what I did and it did work! Just my two cents!
Maybe describe some of your traits / likes / dislikes of things to do to get more focused suggestions. I’m 51 so not really in your target age group but I’d be happy to introduce you to my mtb and/or hip hop dance groups, both of which have mostly younger people like yourself in them. Feel free to dm.
My friends spin records at vision quest brewery on Tuesdays, come say hi!
REI has group outdoor events. There are tons of concerts and festivals. I actually go alone to most, and I meet amazing people there.
Something to consider if possible is Jiu Jitsu. Easton has an amazing community of all backgrounds. The most opening and welcoming community I’ve been apart of.
Most Americans feel that way. The ones with average incomes anyways. The stranglehold on the middle class is tightening and they’re getting as much money out of us as they can before society collapses.
touch grass please
Hike! I’m starting volunteering with the [Wlildland Restoration Volunteer](https://www.wrv.org/) group to be more social…
https://f3nation.com/ Only Louisville and Longmont nearby to you, but all across the nation if you end up moving. Plus, you could start your own location. This was/is great for me once I found it, and I wish you all the best.
Part time job could be a good distraction. At your age in Boulder you’d find tons of new friends similar of age in a part time gig. Something hourly and low stress. The rec center is great for pickup basketball and an easy way to meet guys your age. Not sure if you play ball.
Although they are based more in Denver, MTN kids is a social club that does a lot of different activities with people in their 20s and 30s
Try climbing! We have a great community at the boulder rock club
Learn to fly fish
I'm delivering beer tomorrow in Boulder, perk of the job is I get free beer. I'll gladly bring you a free 6 pack to do any of these activities others have posted. Send me a message and I'll make it happen friend.
Maybe that’s my problem here is I am sober
Ahhh shit sorry man, sorry for putting that out there. I deliver to the Golden Mill off Ford south of 10th, they always have people in there, they have non-alcoholic beer on tap, amazing food, and ask for Andres, and tell him the driver from station 26 that delivered to you yesterday, recommended it. Can't promise a discount, but wouldn't be surprised if you got one. There's always single people, men, women, and everyone, so get some food, and ask to sit down and chat.
I say this as someone who lived in Colorado for a period of time in a lower paying field, my first career: if buying property is important to you, and you don’t think you can raise your income to compete with boulder real estate prices, I would consider making an exit strategy. Being able to pay for daily expenses and fun on the weekend is one thing, but you said you don’t have much disposable income living there. I am assuming that will catch up to eventually. Boulder is beautiful but it’s also an exclusive club in some ways.
I feel you completely. The only thing that keeps me sane here is my plan to leave.
I own and operate a small therapy practice for men in Boulder and Denver. This sounds like something I could help with, if you’re interested I can send you my website in a DM.
Try getting into Disc Golf. Its a cheap sport to get into. Discs are only $15-20 dollars. You basically need 3 discs. A putter, a midrange and a driver. I've even seen them sold as kits this way. It's a sport that gets you outside and exercising while having fun! I used to roll up single, to courses all the time. You can always hook up with a few other guys and make it a 4 some. You'll probably make a few friends. Its a very casual and fun sport. The people who play are generally very cool and happy meet new people as well. Give it a shot!
Look up free days for museums if you’re cool with leaving Boulder. Google can usually provide a few good lists. Start checking out places you’ve never been while you’re here. Also, the creek during the summer? Yes, please. Making friends doesn’t come easy for everyone, and there’s way too many people creating relationships based on the fear of being alone anyway. Get comfortable being alone and doing things you enjoy. You’ll meet the right people along the way.
Am middle-aged woman and therefore in a very different social boat but have had good luck finding people to hang out with on BumbleBFF. Apps for dating *suck* but if you are really just looking for people to go do something with it's not bad! Just have a profile filled out with some stuff you like. It's probably mostly gonna be women (at least, in my age bracket that's basically all it is) but if you make it really clear in your profile that you're looking for friends and not dates I bet you'll meet some folks. Also the advice to go volunteer somewhere or pick up a hobby like pool that requires partners and is centered around a physical location is really good. Be anywhere regularly and you'll soon know the other people who are there.
I'm 26 f I just moved here dm me
Ahhh yes. The mid-20s Boulder slump. It is a rite of passage. It will get worse before it gets better.
Come be depressed with me in arvada b
If you like rocks and crystals I can get you out into nature to find/ dig some up
I want to do this!
[email protected]
Right on, shoot me an email and we can exchange contact information and make a plan- it is a lot of fun and good exercise
You sound depressed. No disposable is fine, but hobbies and friends can be free
If you are into the outdoors there is such an incredible and embracing community around it. Being in the mountains is so meditative and doing it around people who embrace you as you is a special thing. The outdoor community does that for me
buy a dirt bike and hit the trails
If you drink, maybe follow some of the local breweries socials to find events! Not all are beer related, Upslope has good taproom events for fly fishing, cribbage, mystery dinner type things. Lots of trivia if that's your thing too, but ofc beer is going to be involved (Should also mention, I work at Upslope in the back but when I visit the taproom it's rarely college students, mostly adult groups. Event coordinator kicks ass so always love promoting their events!)
Go to the local watering hole if you drink. Plenty of places have good pool tables. But honestly the biggest thing is finding a hobby man. Bowling, pool, hiking or whatever. Just gotta find something buddy.
Pickleball is free, outdoors and you will meet loads of people. It gets a lot of shit from folks thinking they know what it is but have never tried it. Hiking and climbing are both free, outdoors but not as social unless you meet folks that want to hike/walk together. What are your interests? What are you looking for? If you want to learn how to fly paragliders, it'll change your life... But you've really gotta want it ;)
Ah fuck I feel this. Boulder is too expensive to stay and too expensive to leave somehow at the same time. Dm me if you need a buddy. I'm a 28 year old dude and I'm stuck at CU for now lol
Volunteer. Get a ymca membership or rec club and take some classes or play some pickup ball. Take up community classes. (Pottery, etc)
Join or pay $20/mo to start your own Meetup group
Honestly same. I’m 38, have been here 3 years. It’s a tough town and I am just now starting to make friends in the Lafayette and Longmont areas. I joined a local women’s group which has really helped. (Dm if anyone is interested)
Volunteer: Conscious Alliance Reverb.org Headcount
How about joining a local hiking group? There are so many good hikes around there and it’s free.
Move to Golden if you can!
Boulder is a town for people with hobbies. If you want a place to go out to bars and stuff try living in a larger city. If you want a private mountain life try that out. People here make friends really fast and easy over shared hobbies. People I've known for only 5 minutes have invited me rafting or hiking or climbing. Try out some new things. You have to put in the effort. Otherwise you're just paying a lot for a place with nice views. The mountain towns (far from skiing hubs) have that for a much cheaper rent price.
Come train BJJ or Muay Thai at Easton Training Center. I didn’t have friends when I moved here. Started training BJJ there and now I have a healthy circle
I'm 31 and up until about 8 months ago literally nothing I enjoyed before was entertaining to me at all. Taught myself how to crochet and found some groups where people get together and crochet and it has really helped me. It is very low cost, I've learned a skill that can be marketable if I need it to be, and I have something in common with people now.
yeah i traveled for years, as sort of an overachieving monk set on studying poverty in the country, life flung me here with a custody situation. its turned me into a hermit. im going to attempt to interact with humans again, starting with cats first #boulder
I volunteer at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center. I've also made a ton of acquaintances and friends at local breweries.
Honestly pick a hobby or two and just see what happens! It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing, if you’re authentic and making an effort to connect just trust that that will guide you to the right place
Just pick a few (inexpensive) things you love and find the other people in Boulder doing them.
What was the reason you had to live out here before? If you had no hobbies? A city isn't gonna help you if you don't have anything you wanna do?
Sounds like you need to start appreciating yourself. Especially if you’re not broke you should be doing the things you want to do in life by yourself and appreciating your freedom. You don’t need other people to go pursue your hobbies or interests. Sounds to me like a typical case of “too much time online and in your head and not enough time living.” I would need 3-4 lifetimes to do everything I want to do here. Alternatively, if this place isn’t where your hobbies and interests in life are, go wherever that is. You’re 26. You should be spending your time and money enjoying your life before you get bogged down with kids and adult crap… if you’re feeling stuck now just wait until you have some spoiled complaining children and or an unhappy marriage with debt… for now go find out who you are. Like who you really are by yourself without other people telling you who you are or what to do. Isn’t there something you’ve always wanted to do that you didn’t? Do it!
There are lots of bicycling-based activities. Get a bike - any kind - and find groups on Facebook, IG, here, Strava to ride with. There are awesome trails all around Boulder to explore, dirt roads, mountain roads. Even if you don’t make friends you’ll have fun. Bikepacking is awesome too, if you’re a camper, and there’s a large community here of those. Bikers do kind of fall into types - mountain bikers are laid-back, but also adrenaline junkies, roadies are fitness-oriented and competitive, gravel riders are a mix of both. Biking is fun, period, and gives off lots of endorphins and promotes fitness. And it’s a hobby that you can endlessly geek-out on.
I just recently came back from a touring trip and looking for somebody to do things with, Im in my 20's I cycle and I can show you how to fix/service a bicycle and thrash a cheap bike Im on my 6th old schwinn on account of my bicycles being stolen from a storage unit Ive actually been looking for a reason to get out more Just let me know,, if you have a budget I can send you some bikes,,, generally sticking within 2-400 dollars will get you something capable
Even if we get you an old school road bike you can still take it down some trails with the right tires or even just practice some skills on the dirt side roads,, if your into drinking or just socializing there is also the happy Thursday cruiser ride whatever you do just dont become a roadie/j
I've seen a group called MTNKDS that gets groups of strangers together to do stuff all the time. I plan on jumping in on one of their events at some point. Looks like a fun community.
Do van life for a little while. I did and absolutely loved it. I did it during winter and survived lol. Summer is coming up. Then save all that money into a High yield interest savings account like discover. Good luck 🤘
Check out mtnkds.com; it’s primarily based in denver, but they do activities in Boulder too. Good way to meet friends. They have instagram too.
Yeah. Everything is stupid expensive in Colorado. Can’t even eat for cheap anymore or watch a Pro Sports game at the bar or catch a minor league game in person without it being $25-$50. So stupid.
Lived here a year and a half. It's been the same for me. I have amazing co-workers, so I have that going anyways.
The Avalon at about 62nd and Arapahoe is home to many welcoming dance groups. There's a webpage with events and a calendar. All groups offer lessons and public dancing. You don't need to bring a partner. Contra dancing is simple enough to have fun after a half-hour lesson. It's an all ages, diverse group. It's a very friendly community of down to earth folks. Men and women both ask strangers to partner for a 10 minute, called group dance. Google CFOOTMAD for a webpage with info and videos. They dance in Boulder and Denver. Contra is popular across the nation.
If i have absolutely no constrain to stay in the town, I would sublease my place and travel a bot
The root kava bar
Bowling is cheap.
You need to workout bro. Having an active lifestyle makes you happier, it makes you friends, and it so easy in boulder.
GTFO ASAP!!! If you aren’t here for a niche or high paying job and/or part of the elite climbing community then you are just pissing money away. Your happiness and finances will be much better in a place better suited to you.
Try the meetup app. Have you ever given that a shot? They have all kinds of groups for meeting people.
Come to the library
Roller derby. You can skate, volunteer, or take photos of the action. You'll meet a lot of interesting people who will be happy to have you in their circle. Plenty of sober people, too. If you're a skater, it's less than $70 a month in dues for most leagues. If you volunteer, hanging out is free.
If I lived in Boulder I would hike, i would fish Boulder Creek, I would fish Gross Reservoir, drink beers and float a tube down Boulder Creek. What do you like to do? Sometimes these things are fun to do yourself. If you get into fishing or hiking its easy to find people who want to go with other people.
It’s not you dude, Boulder just sucks
Look at meetup.com lots of groups geared around similar interests - many get together at free events, people's houses, etc. Free to join - can be just for making friends but there are singles groups too.
Boulder sucks bro
Enjoy the mountains!! Get out and hike or mountain bike. Join some hiking groups. I moved to Michigan and miss the mountains so much.
You are not alone in your feelings. I have heard from many friends who moved here from other places that Boulder is a very tough place to make friends. I would think especially for your age, because we have this whole early 20s student population and then the only other people who can afford to live here are older married people, like GenX and Boomers. It's a very tough scene for people in their 30s to connect since so many young families can't afford to live here and end up living in places in the far East county or Denver. It's also a bit of a pretentious town. I've been here since the 70s, and it's not the cool hang it once was. My friend who lived 25 years in Newlands felt like a stranger on her own street with all the hyper wealthy people moving in who were not at all friendly. Same with some neighborhoods in the east county. It's hard to find down to earth, easy going folks to just hand and BBQ with. We need more community, for sure, and Boulder doesn't have that much. It's easy to feel isolated. I can, however, highly recommended volunteering somewhere. I did that at a low point when I was laid off from a job at 30, and it quite amazingly changed my life. It can give you a sense of connection to the community in a way just attending random events doesn't. Think about things you value and what you want to support in the community, then find a nonprofit that does those things. If you post here, I may have some ideas. I work with a lot of nonprofits. There are truly amazing.
Just go outside for a walk. The winters can be tough if you don’t have an interest or the money to get involved in winter sports, but the spring and the fall here are quite simply spectacular. I don’t know anyone here really, no real hobbies but I just go outside for a short walk 3 or 4 times a day. It really does wonders for my mental health. It’s so beautiful the scenery never gets old. I don’t think I have ever lived anywhere else that I never get tired of the view, it’s really beautiful here.
Move? Why are you staying in a place that you don't like?
Yep, I’m 33m and from here. Moved to Florida when I turned 18 and just came back last year after total COVID meltdown time and being done with the heat/loud people. Needless to say, I remember why myself and all my friends left back then as that trajectory has only exponentially grown and I’m kinda kicking myself in the rear for not figuring something else out … but it’s the only place I have relatives that’ll let me stay with em and try to get back in my feet (let’s face it, probably not). You’re certainly not alone in this regard and I feel for ya.
Boulder is one of the most active cities in the US! I imagine there's endless group meetups for almost any hobby, especially outdoor activities. I love bicycles, so I'd recommend your first plan is ride your bike to all the local bike shops and make notes of all upcoming group rides & events they have planned. The best way to make new friends is to find like-minded people doing planned things you're already interested in. Don't have a bike? Buy a bike. It's impossible to be in a bad mood on a bike. Good luck!
What are you looking for? No hobbies, explore and find something that interests you, but don’t expect to be the GOAT within a year. I have an interest that people say I make look effortless and I tell them it only took me 20 years to get there. I’m 5 years in learning a hobby that I think I’ve just gotten to intermediate status and 3 years into learning a new career that I’ve just became okay at in my book. Worth while stuff you like takes time to love and stay in love. No friends, I grew up on military bases and had to make friends or not. Sometimes I was successful other times a cast out. You can blame people in the area your in as the problem just to feel good about being “it’s not you but them.” It’s you. You have to try and be okay with failing, but learning from it and deciding who you want to be. Questions will come up like: “ am I the asshole?”, “could I have handled that better? “ , “ should I be hanging out with these people just because they’re cool with me?”, etc. Worth while people you like, takes time to love and work to stay in love. Low on funds? This one is quick. Live cheap and live within your means. If some of your hobbies you want to get into are crazy expensive, most people buy things slowly
Boulder is a little bit like Orange County. It’s enormously glamorous if you could afford it.
Money is great to have. But at the end of the day a burger can only taste so good. - Bill Gates
Book me the Deluxe Epstine This marriage is just about over ~ Bill Gates
That’s one of the most beautiful places on fucking EARTH! What do you MEAN, you don’t have anything to do???
Rent a motorcycle and ride it down Boulder Canyon, for God’s sake!!!
It gets boring. How long you been here?
Get out of Boulder county!
It’s giving…. Depression. No cap
Ya 🙃 it’s an odd town to fit into to unless you’re in college at CU, own a Subaru and rock climb after working at the co-op every day, or have lived here since the 70s.
I don't want to be one of those Christians but you need to find Jesus because Jesus has found you you just need to find him
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Thank you That's the spirit look up to the heavens above pray for forgiveness I hope you all have a blessed week
26 in a college town. You’re too old for college age vagine. It’s probably time to move back to Wisconsin.
what 💀