whitebears, I moved to a place where I didn't know anyone, and I went and joined the local amateur drama society. I didn't want to act or anything like that, but they always need people to sew costumes or help paint the set or sell tickets, and they are usually all volunteers with other jobs during the day, so are really grateful for willing hands and are very sociable. You only have to be brave once - I started by going to a local show as an audience member, and just asking one of the helpers how I could join in. I made some good friends that way - it's worth thinking about.