Making friends in Houston (Dallas, Austin: real estate, home, neighborhoods)

[texasboi]

I'm relocating to Houston in a couple of mths and since i'm leaving my friends behind i'm there by myself. I hate doing anything usually by myself so not sure why i'm doing this except I need a change. I need better opportunities for work, better affordable housing, a cleaner environment to be outside more and do more athletic things....just enjoy myself and accomplish my goals.
However I would love to do those things with someone else. How hard is it to make friends in Houston? I'm 35 str8 acting gay male and like to do pretty much anything just as long as were having fun. Being new to the city i'll need to see everything just don't want to go around like a lonely single tourist. Help! Am I making a mistake going by myself? Or am I getting last minute jitters? Any advice would be great as people home just keep telling me not to go.

[Icy]

I guess it really just depends on what kind of person you are, what kind of activities you like to do, etc. Houston has a many different groups of people along with many different things to do. If you have a hobby I would say it would be pretty easy to meet up with a group here and make friends that way. Otherwise, you'll probably make new friends at your new workplace.

[Mommy/Artist/Lawyer]

I recently moved to Houston from Dallas and have found that the people living inside "the 610 loop" are very friendly and talkative. Unfortunately the real estate in the cool neighborhoods inside the loop is very expensive. A good way to meet people once you get to Houston is to search for a group of folks who share your interests on Meetup.com and go to one of their get togethers.

If I could live any place in Texas it would be Austin.

[texas7]

Houston does have some air quality issues (I noted that you said "cleaner" to be outside more) in case that is a concern to you. I think you would make friends here easily if you are a social type. If you are more shy - it might a bit hard at first, but that would be the case anywhere for a shy person.

[travelguy_73]

If there are certain activities that you enjoy, definitely find an outlet for those. The people you meet there will at least share your interests. I realize it is too late this year, but if you are into softball, there is a gay softball league (Montrose softball league) that is a great way to make friends. Of course there is online and the bar scene...it's been a while since I had to do that, but made friends that I am very close to.

And don't forget making friends at the office, gym, running in the park, etc.

[blancspons]

Also try Use the Internet to get off the Internet! - Meetup.com, you may find a group with similar interests that you can get together with. There are usually "new to the area" groups.

[ZeroTX]

A friend of mine happens to be gay/single, and he meets friends online that often turn into real-life friendships. On the other hand, he also meets a lot of weirdos that he immediately divests himself of. Hehe.

My personal favorite way to meet friends is through church activities. But, if that's not something that's your thing, I'm not sure what to recommend. Hobbies are a great way to meet people. My latest hobby is learning Spanish, and through this I've met a lot of great people who are either learning Spanish or English.

BTW, I do believe there is a gay church in Houston that affiliates itself (perhaps loosely or only in name) with the Episcopal Church. Just a thought, if you wanted to go to church but felt offput. I'm Catholic and just FYI, you're welcome at our churches. All are welcome.

[ZeroTX]

My bad, I don't think they affiliate w/ the Episcopal Church, but this is the one I've been to with my friend:

Welcome to Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston, Texas

I believe the pastor (at the time) was a woman.