Social Secrets

Nineteen ways to make new friends

kay, our town is small, cold (in more ways than one), fast-paced, and stressful. But that doesn’t mean you can’t meet people, no matter how many times you’ve used these things as excuses. Think of it as an opportunity. We have among the highest proportion of single people in America—Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston sweep sixth, seventh, and eighth out of the top 10 in that category, according to Money magazine (yeah, we know, dating advice from Money magazine, but hey, what can it hurt?). More than half of us are single. Based on factors including the unemployment rate, cost of living, and male-to-female ratio, we’re ranked the Number One city for single women. Truth is, the women outnumber the men around here by a factor of 52 percent to 48 percent, which means the pickings ain’t bad for guys, either. So get out there and make some more friends. Still need a nudge? Try these sociable secrets:

A club for people who share a love of films
 

Painting classes fueled by beer and wine
 

Where to meet new people, and dance with them
 

How to meet friends while making sushi
 

A game night that beats staying home alone and watching Jeopardy
 

Where to fall in love with fellow art lovers
 

How to get in on a new crew
 

Meet people over some wine. Making it, not just drinking it.
 

A serious group Scrabble competition
 

A social workout on the river
 

How to meet some fellow nerds
 

A surprising social activity that weaves new friends together
 

How to ski and be social at the same time
 

Where to play Rock’n’ Roll Bingo
 

A science book club for the really, really smart
 

Make new pals over knitting and sewing lessons
 

A meeting place for writers, poets, and other creative types
 

How to join the world’s oldest juggling club
 

Make a new sweetie while learning how to make your own sweets