by Tyra LaRocca

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

Austin, like the rest of Texas is a place full of neighbors. Spend much time around here and you'll begin to wonder if you really do know everybody else who lives here. A typical day may find you walking into the HEB grocery store and having three different people start up a conversation with you about the weather, if you like that brand of cereal, where you got your cool sunglasses- or pretty much anything.

People here are interested in you and your opinion, and given the chance they can be very interesting to meet. Each day then is an opportunity to make a new friend or two. And the places to make new friends are limited only by the places in town you decide to visit.

The key is to be open to the people who you come in contact with during the normal course of your day. If you have regular places you frequent, you'll get to see the same faces repeatedly and naturally strike up an acquaintance with them. You never know when that new friend will introduce you to their best-friend-who-happens-to-be-the-perfect-plumber just when you need one; or who will point you in the direction of an event or program where you may meet the man or woman of your dreams. It could happen.

If you don't have a set routine, you might find a great coffee shop or convenience store, or local library and start making a habit of spending some regular time there. Before long, if you are interested in the other people who you see frequently, you'll soon become part of a small but potentially connected group of people with which to spend your time.

There are a great many clubs, civic groups, charitable organizations, schools or common interest programs to join. This could be your local church or Toastmasters Group, or the Austin Bird Watchers Club. Whatever your interest, there is undoubtedly a group that needs you; just check on-line for your topic and check it out. Lots of new friends to be made this way.

Take a class for credit or community education and learn a new skill while in a roomful of potential friends. Everyone in Texas supports the local sports teams, so whether you have a child on the team or not, if you enjoy football or baseball, show up and root for your neighborhood school team and before you know it you'll be cheering on the kids by name with their parents and teachers and neighbors. And it's an inexpensive way to spend a balmy evening in the Texas outdoors.

And of course, the music that makes Austin famous beckons anyone to enjoy their favorite genre- from Jazz to Rock to Folk to Country- just stroll down 6th Street any evening and give a listen outside all the venues until you hear one you like. Then be prepared to be surrounded by others who appreciate great live music, and meet some interesting people.

It is so simple to meet people in Austin- some people around here say they never met a stranger. Welcome the friendly Texan way, and you'll soon wonder why someone would ask you where to meet people in Austin.

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