I know where I live there is a local website for older singles, christian or not. It is for 55 and older and it matches you up with those in your city or area. You choose if you want to contact them or be contacted by them. A good friend of mine used it to help get her back into the dating world. Also, is there a senior center near you where activities happen that you could attend? I met my late husband in church and I can't imagine starting that dating scene again. I have a widowed friend who met her future husband at a high school class reunion. When we least expect it, love will find us or at least I have to believe that is true. Good luck - Gail

I have a number of friends in their 50's and 60's who are divorced and they are extremely independent and do a lot of traveling and activities by themselves, they meet people wherever they go and have a wonderful time. Women our age are more into doing their own thing, independently of collective thinking/doing. I fit into that category now. The meet up groups do not interest me at all -- This site alone probably has a couple of women that live in your general area that you could connect with and become friends (not cyber friends only) with. I don't see a shortage of single women my age, there are lots of them, widows and divorcees who are enjoying their lives as single women doing what they always wanted to do -- Living life to the fullest does not equal a new relationship with a man, in my view. I see so many great examples of loving and living your life on your own terms -- You can do that too! Focus on what you want in your life not what you don't want and you will have them coming out the woodwork. If I lived closer to you, I would hang out with you. Anonymous friends are fine to chat with online but true connections are hardly ever made unless you establish more personal contact with people. There is no substitute for the human voice and the warmth of a handshake or hug! I'm sure you have at least one person on your friends list here that you could contact and meet in person and start a great friendship. Hugs! Connie

Thanks, Gail, but I'm not looking for a date at all. Just a few friends my age to hang out with once and a while. I have friends, but they're much younger than I am. One is nearly my step-daughter's age. I appear younger, so I think that's part of the problem.

I'm sorry, guess I was thinking of someone to date but I still think participating at a local senior center will get you around some people your own age. Also, how about community education classes that might interest you and perhaps be a way to meet people closer to your age? It is strange but the people I have met are all my age or older and it is mostly through church that I have made these friends and my congregation is an older congregation. I know there are zumba dance classes, bone builder exercise classes, and yoga classes aimed at 50 plus people in my community so maybe there is something in your 's like this. My apologies again for assuming that you meant dating, I should read the posts a little closer in the future. Hugs - Gail

Definitely try the senior or community rec center

Try the Y....lots of people always coming and going to classes and to exercise....Hugs

Hi Truhal, I am new to this site and I agree with you. The people in my neighborhood have small children and mostly work. The people at the senior center are too old. Most of the community activities are attended by couples. I have tried programs at the library and support groups--again couples. I have decided to sell my house as soon as the real estate market recovers and move to a 55 and older community--friends and activities. Until then,m I'll keep trying what I have been doing. Good luck
(Another) Diane

I am experiencing the same phenomenon. Before Don was gone though, we spent most week nights at home enjoying each other's company. I don't know if the 50's and 60's are sitting at home alone or what! I've gone to groups at the church. First group was young couples. Second group was just for women, so they left their husbands home that night! Small town. My best option seems to be the laptop. But I do miss human contact.

I feel the same way--there are just not many options for finding women our age just to socialize with--I would love to have just a couple of friends to spend time with occasionally--but everyone is either married or in a relationship. I'm not really interested in another relationship or dating--just want to be able to take in a movie or dinner once in a while and not go alone.

My son has found several groups for me to join, (Just not there yet). Red Hats, Volunteermatch.org, CASA, Hospitals, and the list goes on. I am just not ready (only 10 weeks).Plus a few dating sites, which will not happen for me... hope this gives you a couple of ideas. Diane

I've never felt I was much for the socializing - my DH did enuf for us both and I enjoyed staying at home - w/him when he was around, or by myself worked quite well for me as well. Still do enjoy my me time actually, but he's not here for the time share w/him portion... It seems that over the last several years I actually have cultivated my own little group within my own interests without even thinking about it. I'm a quilter & have made many acquaintances in a couple quilting groups over the years between my going back to school and getting into teaching which was mostly as insurance for me (which by the way did work out for me after DH died!!) . I really don't have a lot of time to quilt any more since going back to teaching f/t, but they have turned out to be some of my best friends - even if I only see them once a month at most for a sewing session & a lunch out after... and most of them are actually probably older than me. A couple of teacher friends from my subbing/teaching/back to subbing days as well make a point to stay in touch, tho sometimes that may be no more than a phone call between our very few & far between actually managing to get togethers - most of them being younger. Even a younger neighbor gal manages to catch me up for a movie, or me catch her up to share a bottle of wine after a day of working in our yards occasionally...Then there are always my kids & their friends & parents... I signed up for a local Senior Circle last year but they do things on weekdays so have never been able to participate - and tho I'm 58 still find I'm quite a bit younger than most of those involved. Thought about the local Red Hat group - but just don't have time to add anything more just w/the working. But then I guess I'm to the point of admitting to myself that I'm one of those who has apparently quite easily & quite seamlessly fallen into an old-becoming new relationship thru a HS reunion as well. Life is definitely different, and coming in from directions that I would have never expected without me having gone out to look at all....All this and I just hit 10 months out yesterday.

I agree Truhal. For me, Living in a rural area adds to the dilemma. I've been looking into moving into a 55+ community (somewhere) but I'm not old enough for that either. Too old for the bar scene, too young for the senior center.

Through facebook I've reconnected with old friends and I've been traveling quite a bit and doing a lot of catching up.
Wish I had better advice for you.
Hugs, Cathy

I will be watching this thread as there are a lot of really good ideas!
I have the same problem, as people think I am much younger, and I do have a lot of friends in their 30`s, but they just don`t have the same outlook as I do. It would be really nice to hang out with someone who knows what went on in the 70`s ect. G-

No problem Gem. Who knows, one day I might consider dating. As to the senior center, the ones I've seen are filled with people in their 70s and up, not baby boomers. I think boomers stay away from these things because most of us don't think of ourselves as seniors. Me, I could care less. I am what I am. I'll try Redhats. I did join them right after losing my husband, but just never got around to doing anything and forgot all about them. This thread reminded me.

Hey, I'm 55 too. So I guess your guess is right, We are sitting home. I imagine some of us are wondering what you are wondering, then there are those like me, who just don't care anymore. Good luck finding us.

God Bless, Sal.