My disability has kept me housebound for a few years. I moved myself to a warmer climate but have not really met anyone at all. I am now healed/healthy enough to try to start doing things again.
It has been a very long time (33 years) since I tried to meet people without knowing anyone or where to go. I grew up in the country, by myself, so school was my social structure. In the Navy, I was around lots of people and had some friends but time and circumstances took a toll.

I won't drink & drive so I don't want to go to the bars. I am not really religious so I won't go to churches by myself. There are parades and festivals, car shows and concerts all along the coast but who wants to go there and be alone...it sux, I've tried.

I live 1 mile from the beaches. I go and sit on the benches, walk the surf or sit in the sand. The most I get is a Hi or Hello. Sometimes when I say hello they never even look at me, just keep on going.

I used to keep an eye on the WikiDo website but it seems that site is kinda limited. Where do people hang-out (besides their homes) that are my age and single?

Suggestions?

Our local small-town, weekly paper lists all the forthcoming
activities for the week, surprisingly it takes a full page.

There are things like garage sales, flea markets, book sales,
theatre presentations, club/lounge acts, surfing contests and
a myriad of other goings-on..I peek at it if I need something
to do :-)

You have to learn to be comfortable in your own skin. And yes that means going out to places alone. You're not going to meet anybody sitting at home eating bon bons and feeling sorry for yourself. Get out and do activities you enjoy, car shows, festivals, concerts, whatever. How else are you going to meet like minded people? No law says you have to drink alcohol when you go to a bar. Nobody's going to kick you out of a place for ordering a soft drink.

P.S. do you play golf? Golf courses will pair up a single player with two or three others. And you'd be surprised how many single women go out for a round of golf with one or two friends.

Great ideas Soulfi. They just opened a new indoor flea market nearby. I am looking for some shelves and misc tables.

Motown, nah, never really got into golf much. I can do okay but its just not my thing, good idea tho.

I have always been comfortable in my own skin, I was just really sick for years. Now that I am recovering, I know that I will never meet anyone if I don't go where they are. My question has to do with ... where are they?

I was thinking Bingo? Do people still play bingo? Where do they do it and do you need an invite?

I went bowling, I run about a 160-190 avg. but when I went I was still kinda under the weather and weak so I felt ill and weak. Might give bowling a try - just to see if I am well enough yet.

I'll probably start hitting the library. I have tons of eBooks on my computer but it has been a long time since I picked up a dead wood story.

I know I don't have to drink at bars but I am not really looking for the scene. I have done the bar/lounge/pub/club scene in my youth and I'm looking for something else.

I have even considered trying my hand at some craft fairs. There are ceramic classes nearby. It might be worth the money and a little fun.

Any other ideas?

casinos usually have a bingo area

book club? craft fairs and flea markets are good ideas

what are your hobbies?

There are lots of casinos in my area (MS Coast). I have never been tho.
I'm not much of a gambler, don't even play the lotteries. Gambling can be an addiction just like alcohol and shopping. I fear getting involved with people that might have those compulsions.

I had a wide range of hobbies till I became disabled. Mostly motorsports and car crafts (can't get greasy anymore). I do like to write, I do some flash fiction, but I'm not very good at it. I write lots of movie reviews and do some community moderation on some message boards.

I love nature. I like doing nature walks and animal watching. I like cooking now, never did before. I tend to collect kitchen stuff, LOL.
I collect those cute little airplane bottles of alcohols but I don't drink them.

I have a 4WD truck but since it is currently my only form of transportation I can't risk going off-road anymore but I love that stuff.

This is hard! I know what I used to like to do but most of it is unrealistic right now due to health restrictions, costs and lack of someone to do them with. I know what I like to do but most of that is a lone endeavor. That is why I am looking for ideas. I have some great ideas now but the quest for more seems appropriate.

So, keep em comin! and thanx!

what about community classes in your area?
some may offer oh...I don't know

wine tasting

french cooking

or maybe a creative writing class?

are there nature groups in your area? like the autubon society that you could join?

Music & poetry! I live in St. Louis & Soulard and Benton Park are blues heaven!! Quit alcohol so, coffee & dancing will always my haven!!!

Creative Writing Classes - now thats a thought...

We have a place called The 100 Men Hall where noname blues artists come and play. Its an informal environment, mostly outside with the artists on the huge porch. I've stopped by a few times but never really hung around.

I don't really like big cities like New Orleans but there are lots of blues joints down there. Here in BSL you are hard pressed to find a blues bar at all. I'm looking becuase I could go hang at a blues bar with live acts.

I lived in Arnold, MO for years. I know about St Louis Blues. KDHX 88.1 was my radio station for Blues in the Night & Blursday.

Lovin the responses, more, more, more...

I suggest everybody to sart doing yoga, it doesn't matter how old you are.The main thing is to do it in the right way. You'll see the results soon if you do not concentrate on them but on the practice itself.

Join a book club. Some libraries have them. Go to some live auctions. You don't have to bid on anything and they are kind of fun, especially in small towns.

I don't know what part of the country you're located but in the Midwest -Meetup.com is a GREAT way and the easiest for people to meet other people with similar tastes. There are social groups - dining groups - every imagineable kind of interest there is in our area. People get together for the opera or line dancing or dinner and conversation at a local pizza joint. They play bingo (yes that still happens here) - they go for hikes or go to the botanical gardens. They visit museums and attend cultural events together. Most of these groups are excellent for men because the male to female ratio is bout 1/5. The main thing is to make yourself get out and do things.

organise a singles night

then fight off the opposition