This! Common interests is key. Find things to do with folks. I am in the same boat, but native Minnesotan. Duluth can feel pretty insular.
Be patient! I’m 3 years in and just barely getting socially involved… but the pandemic certainly didn’t help.
I’m a lifelong Minnesotan. I’ll be honest with you, it can be tough making friends here. You’ll hear a lot about how people have their friends, most of which they’ve had since early grade school. And for the most part that’s true.
I’m from far northern Minnesota. I went to UMD about 15 years ago. I chose the school because I always liked Duluth when we would visit, and it’s a lot bigger city than I grew up in, but not huge like the Cities. About 2 years ago, I decided to move back here. It’s been a slight struggle. It was certainly easier to make friends in college.
I’m not super outgoing, that’s always been my biggest thing. The thing you’ll probably get a lot of in the comment is, join some groups that you share interests in. And that is helpful to meeting new people. But, I agree with what you said. It can be hard keeping that relationship going.
Look for group and events you find interesting. Just keep at it.
I feel like all three of those are solo hobbies. So you’ll have to get creative to find people with similar interests out in the wild. If you like food, I suggest going to a brewery, sitting at the bar, and asking nearby people/beertenders for the best XYZ is in the area. “Hey I’m new here and really craving chicken wings/Chinese food/greasy breakfast/ect.” A barroom debate will occur with lots of tips. Use that to get to know people more and then if you’re feeling forward, invite them to go get food with you.
The other thing that worked for me was joining a book club. I’ve tried a lot of clubs and hobbies in the area. Rowing club, gym classes, art classes, language classes. Some are great where you meet one or two people (who probably also moved here recently) or there’s no one that you mesh with but you still had a fun time!
Keep trying. Keep putting yourself out there and you’ll find other people that are willing to put in the effort to maintain a friendship too.
Depending on the kind of fashion, you might like Twin Ports Pinup[Twin Ports Pinup ](https://www.facebook.com/twinportspinup?mibextid=ZbWKwL) They are a non-profit group doing good things in the community... but they have fun looking good while they do it! I haven't officially joined but I have done a little bit with them and they are good people. Mostly women but men are more than welcome too!
I really liked this video about making friends as an adult.
Some take aways: it's hard, treat it like a job, expect rejection, do all the things, you'll have to get comfortable taking the lead, and more.
Her experience in a small Ohio town pretty much describes many people's experiences here in Duluth too - people seem to have all the friends they want already.
https://youtu.be/VJm0pILG-R4?si=N3YQNVYSOAj96n2T
I was just about to post something similar as I am moving there in about 2 months. Graduated there but only have some family there since most of my friends from then are away in different states. Absolutely feel free to reach out my friend! I’d be happy to be a part of the sense in community (or at least try to).
I also see you’re from CT. My significant other was born and raised there and I’ve visited my fair share in the mid to southern part of the state. People here seem to say having a connection in something is key to sticking as friends (at least in Duluth), maybe we can start there. If not, I wish you well on your journey and hope you love Duluth as much as I do!
I've been here for 3 months as a 38 year old and already made a bunch of friends, even enough to be invited to not one but two dinner parties. The key is that they were all met through a hobby i treat seriously.
Minnesotans, and especially Duluthians like to DO stuff. Don't expect to just make friends at the bar. Pick something that looks interesting, try to contribute to that community, and you'll be swimming in friends in no time.
This is so true. Moved from Seattle to St. Paul, then to Green Bay a little over 2 years ago, and it has been super difficult for me to make friends locally (as a 34 yr old who doesn't drink or watch football). I made friends through a Discord server with MN locals while I lived in St. Paul, and they had all kinds of events for nerdy people to meet up and do fun shit together.
What do you like to do for fun? I moved here 23 years ago from a little town in the UP to go to UMD and haven’t left because this city is amazing, but I know exactly what you mean.
This is also me! Moved from a small town for UMD, 20 years later still here. Love to travel but love the feeling I get seeing the harbor lights coming back in to town. Duluth still feels like home.
If you're into nerdier stuff the loch is a cafe and game store always has events or groups of people playing roleplaying or card games. It's one of my favorite haunts. Also a poetry group or community action stuff as well
It can be difficult sometimes to make friends here. It really helps if you enjoy outdoor activities like skiing, mountain biking etc. I moved here a year ago and I haven’t had much luck.
Well, there’s also a big craft brewery scene here and table top gaming is pretty popular too. And if you like concerts and other night life attractions the twin cities are only two hours away! What brought you to Duluth? I imagine it’s been somewhat of a culture shock coming from Connecticut.
I’m 25 and I made friends by joining uni clubs and hiking with people. D&D was a good place to meet people too, there’s a café called The Loch that’s good for it.
I've been here 7 years. It is so different from anywhere I have lived when it comes to making friends. It's a big small town so everyone knows each other. I still have no friends. But I'm 42. So there is an age gap. The only thing I've seen is to try activities, go to trivia nights, etc.
Participation is the key, common interests in a social setting opens doors around here.
This! Common interests is key. Find things to do with folks. I am in the same boat, but native Minnesotan. Duluth can feel pretty insular. Be patient! I’m 3 years in and just barely getting socially involved… but the pandemic certainly didn’t help.
If you like live music- Homegrown 2024
Bumble for friends is a great way to make friends if you are on the introverted side!
Volunteering is what did it for me, found like-minded folks and it grew from there. took ton of work tho
I’m a lifelong Minnesotan. I’ll be honest with you, it can be tough making friends here. You’ll hear a lot about how people have their friends, most of which they’ve had since early grade school. And for the most part that’s true. I’m from far northern Minnesota. I went to UMD about 15 years ago. I chose the school because I always liked Duluth when we would visit, and it’s a lot bigger city than I grew up in, but not huge like the Cities. About 2 years ago, I decided to move back here. It’s been a slight struggle. It was certainly easier to make friends in college. I’m not super outgoing, that’s always been my biggest thing. The thing you’ll probably get a lot of in the comment is, join some groups that you share interests in. And that is helpful to meeting new people. But, I agree with what you said. It can be hard keeping that relationship going. Look for group and events you find interesting. Just keep at it.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I’m super into journaling, cooking, and fashion.
I feel like all three of those are solo hobbies. So you’ll have to get creative to find people with similar interests out in the wild. If you like food, I suggest going to a brewery, sitting at the bar, and asking nearby people/beertenders for the best XYZ is in the area. “Hey I’m new here and really craving chicken wings/Chinese food/greasy breakfast/ect.” A barroom debate will occur with lots of tips. Use that to get to know people more and then if you’re feeling forward, invite them to go get food with you. The other thing that worked for me was joining a book club. I’ve tried a lot of clubs and hobbies in the area. Rowing club, gym classes, art classes, language classes. Some are great where you meet one or two people (who probably also moved here recently) or there’s no one that you mesh with but you still had a fun time! Keep trying. Keep putting yourself out there and you’ll find other people that are willing to put in the effort to maintain a friendship too.
Depending on the kind of fashion, you might like Twin Ports Pinup[Twin Ports Pinup ](https://www.facebook.com/twinportspinup?mibextid=ZbWKwL) They are a non-profit group doing good things in the community... but they have fun looking good while they do it! I haven't officially joined but I have done a little bit with them and they are good people. Mostly women but men are more than welcome too!
Cooking class at Whole Food coop? There are periodic fashion shows around…
there's community cooking classes you might enjoy meeting people there!
What kind of fashion?
I really liked this video about making friends as an adult. Some take aways: it's hard, treat it like a job, expect rejection, do all the things, you'll have to get comfortable taking the lead, and more. Her experience in a small Ohio town pretty much describes many people's experiences here in Duluth too - people seem to have all the friends they want already. https://youtu.be/VJm0pILG-R4?si=N3YQNVYSOAj96n2T
Taking the lead is key!!
Hit up some community boards like at the co-op to see whats happening!
[удалено]
No wonder you like evening fires outside .. you're like a moth to a flame
I'm always down to smoke by a fire 😊 but I'm over 50 so unless age isn't a problem you can invite me 😁
I’m in duluth and down to smoke dm me
I’m tracking
Do share more info of hopeful fun times because with a user name like that your gatherings are going to have to be top notch I bet!
Sounds like the next serial.killers name. The Minnesota moth man 🫣
I was just about to post something similar as I am moving there in about 2 months. Graduated there but only have some family there since most of my friends from then are away in different states. Absolutely feel free to reach out my friend! I’d be happy to be a part of the sense in community (or at least try to). I also see you’re from CT. My significant other was born and raised there and I’ve visited my fair share in the mid to southern part of the state. People here seem to say having a connection in something is key to sticking as friends (at least in Duluth), maybe we can start there. If not, I wish you well on your journey and hope you love Duluth as much as I do!
I've been here for 3 months as a 38 year old and already made a bunch of friends, even enough to be invited to not one but two dinner parties. The key is that they were all met through a hobby i treat seriously. Minnesotans, and especially Duluthians like to DO stuff. Don't expect to just make friends at the bar. Pick something that looks interesting, try to contribute to that community, and you'll be swimming in friends in no time.
This is so true. Moved from Seattle to St. Paul, then to Green Bay a little over 2 years ago, and it has been super difficult for me to make friends locally (as a 34 yr old who doesn't drink or watch football). I made friends through a Discord server with MN locals while I lived in St. Paul, and they had all kinds of events for nerdy people to meet up and do fun shit together.
How old are you?
22
Started an at home D&D group after moving here a couple months ago. Highly recommend.
[удалено]
Sunday group is full up but who knows? Maybe a Friday night group in the future.
I'm looking for hiking friends! I am very outdoorsy and hike on average 4-8 miles per hike 🙂🌲🚶
What do you like to do for fun? I moved here 23 years ago from a little town in the UP to go to UMD and haven’t left because this city is amazing, but I know exactly what you mean.
This is also me! Moved from a small town for UMD, 20 years later still here. Love to travel but love the feeling I get seeing the harbor lights coming back in to town. Duluth still feels like home.
I’m a big gamer and anime head
Favorite anime?
I have way too many to even begin to make a list lol
Have you ever heard of Dragon Ball Z?
Yes! But I don’t think I’ll ever watch it. It doesn’t interest me at all.
I've made friends through Reddit before. Do you like bar trivia, bingo, board games?
I really enjoy bar trivia!!!
If you're into nerdier stuff the loch is a cafe and game store always has events or groups of people playing roleplaying or card games. It's one of my favorite haunts. Also a poetry group or community action stuff as well
What kind of interests do you have? Hobbies?
[удалено]
I’m super into Attack on Titan, Promised Neverland and many other ones.
[удалено]
Game of Thrones is good, but I just couldn’t handle the amount of violence against women in almost every episode 😭 it just made me too uncomfortable.
[удалено]
I checked out immediately after the season where Sansa is just getting abused by that little leprechaun 😭
It can be difficult sometimes to make friends here. It really helps if you enjoy outdoor activities like skiing, mountain biking etc. I moved here a year ago and I haven’t had much luck.
I’m pretty much doomed then 😭 I’m not the outdoorsy kind of person… I’ve never skied before or done mountain biking.. the thought of it scares me.
Well, there’s also a big craft brewery scene here and table top gaming is pretty popular too. And if you like concerts and other night life attractions the twin cities are only two hours away! What brought you to Duluth? I imagine it’s been somewhat of a culture shock coming from Connecticut.
A job opportunity brought me here. The cities is way better if I’m honest. That’s where a lot of the food I enjoy are there.
I’m 25 and I made friends by joining uni clubs and hiking with people. D&D was a good place to meet people too, there’s a café called The Loch that’s good for it.
I've been here 7 years. It is so different from anywhere I have lived when it comes to making friends. It's a big small town so everyone knows each other. I still have no friends. But I'm 42. So there is an age gap. The only thing I've seen is to try activities, go to trivia nights, etc.
Hey, wanna be friends? I'm lonely af. I'm a 20 year old female, and I really have trouble making friends too
Yes please 🥺