Lemondrop

You've always been a social butterfly with a full schedule of lunch dates with your girlfriends. But then you move to a new city, and suddenly you can count the number of pals who will join you for happy hour on one hand. What's a girl to do?

Last week, our blogger Emily gave us some practical advice on making friends after a big move. And it seems she's not the only one who's had trouble being the new kid on the block.

Elaine E says, "Making friends in LA is next to impossible unless you are in a constant party or social circle. After relocating from a city back east, I began to wonder if everyone was in the witness protection program. Suggesting the exchange of phone number or email address often prompts the look of astonishment, as if to say 'no thanks, I have enough friends already.' For someone who is easy going, clean, neat, fashionable and well rounded, this kind of snobbishness has put me off from meetups, parties, networking and all."

Corgilady can sympathize, too: "As someone who moved around as a kid, then moved 10 times, I KNOW making friends is hard. Getting too friendly with people at work can lead to awkwardness later, so that needs to be kept down to acquaintance level."

But there are ways to remedy your new-city loneliness. She adds, "Usually, I try to take some sort of community education class so I can meet people who share a common interest. It doesn't always work, because some people do take your phone number but never find time to get together, and now and then you meet someone who just wants to use you as a substitute for an absent friend. But it's mostly good. I met my best friend in a ballroom dancing class and believe it or not, our husbands actually hit it off too! I made another friend in a digital camera seminar."

One reader suggests that it's all about finding people with the right chemistry. Meeting new girlfriends you click with doesn't happen automatically. Suggests Betsy, "Try some other types of groups, churches, political action stuff you believe in, interest/hobby groups, stuff like that."

And don't forget: Women hang out in packs at yoga class, book clubs and so on. One girlfriend usually leads to many, many more. We agree with Mischa when she says, "The wholeheartedly bestest bestest way to meet people is to get involved doing something you like where there are a group of women. You can meet potential buds anywhere -- you just have to put yourself out there."