I'm moving to the USA ?

Question

In a few months ( as soon as I get my visa), hopefully before Xmas, I'm moving to Phoenix , AZ, to live with my fiance. I don't know anyone besides him there. What is the best way to make friends and create a new network of friends.
I'm 30yrs. In some ways I know that our cultures differ, I'm dutch, I think I need to learn new ways, which may be more American? Pleas this is a serious question, so also a serious answer. Don't want to be depending all on him to entertain me. :)

Answer 1

I live in Phoenix - welcome! What part of Phoenix are you moving to? There's tons to do here in the winter, and I guess the summer, but it's usually too hot for ME to do anything :) Shoot me an email if you want and I'll tell you as much as I can. Are you from Holland? What part? I've been to Amsterdam several times and would live there if I could - there's so much to do there and it's such a gorgeous city! Anyway - welcome to the US in advance, and let me know if you have any questions :)

Answer 2

Great ways to meet people
1. Join a church with a good mix of young people, often they advertise contemporary music.

2. take a class at a comunity college, try an art class it will be fun and talking is okay during the "work" portion when you make your project.

3. Join a health club and take a group work out class.

Show up 10 mins early and "hang around" near the the class/ event.. usually other people will be early too. Try talking to them about the class

"Is this your first class?"
"How long have you been coming to this church"
"I've never tried this before, how about you?"

After the first couple meetings you should be talking with a couple people pretty easy, see if they want to go get a cup of coffee with you, Try "Starbucks" they have them everywhere...

Even if the person doesn't like coffee they have other drinks there like tea and fruit smoothies. So almost everyone would enjoy it, plus it is a "shorter" outing so even very busy people could say yes.

Then if you have fun getting to know them more after you see them a few more times sugest getting a group together to go see a movie, or something like that.

Good luck!

Answer 3

For the different American customs you can just ask about them if you would like (I'll answer if I can if you prefer not to ask your fiance').

As for making friends ...

Find something you are interested in and see if there is a club for that near where you are going to live. If it's reading or bridge or chess or scrap booking or ... just about anything there will be a club for it. That's a good start to make friends (I think) because you will share similar interests and it will be a bit easier to become comfortable around strangers. Once you make friends there it will begin to branch out ...

Don't forget to do things with your fiance' either. If he is willing, and there is something you both like, maybe there is a group you two can join together. That will give you both couple's friends and singles friends ... Some for when ever!

Answer 4

Get online and find groups in that area with common interests. Get a Mapsco to learn your way around the city. Also while online look in the local paper in that city and find out what things are going on in the city that would interest you. Then get in a cab, learn the pub transportation system and go go go!!! Don't be afraid to try new things and ask questions. While your fiance is at work and you're at home, take the time to get familiar with your surroundings. Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

I have not been to Phoenix, but I've been to other parts of Arizona. It is my favorite part of the U.S. Very beautiful landscape. Check the local park district or junior college to see if there are activity classes you can join. I would not worry too much about becoming an "American". America is the "melting pot" which has many different cultures in it.

Answer 6

Doesn't matter what anyone says, I used to live in AZ and I loved it. When I moved down there, I got a job and that's how I started meeting ppl. The ppl in Arizona are very open-minded and it's easy to meet ppl, so you should have no problem. Try myspace.com, over 73 million people have that, you should meet tons of ppl thru that. Good luck!

Answer 7

I doubt that our countries are much different when it comes to making friends. Do what you did at home and you'll be fine. I think that you'll find that most Americans are very open to most foreigners, Europeans in particular, and that there is a sort of curiosity there about different countries and cultures. I suspect you'll find that a lot of people with want to get to know you better. Good Luck!!

Answer 8

I would suggest that you just pursue your interests as you normally would. If you are spiritual, a religious organization may be the best place to start. If you like sports, then join a league or a team. You may also want to find other women who have come to the US recently and talk to them either online or in person.

Answer 9

Got to a Church, healthclub, or any place where a diverse group of people meet.

Take classes at a local college, etc.

Good luck. I know what it's like to live in another country; 2 years in Japan.

Answer 10

i live in phoenix az well glendale actually, and im very entertaining. now if holland is the netherlands, who are the dutch? see thats like a joke ha ha hagive me a buzz ill try to entertain ya!!