Hi everyone! I'm a 24yo (he/him) STEM PhD student and moved to Cambridge sometime back. I'm looking for recommendations for any activities where I can meet new people and make friends. I'm around the MIT area. I'm pretty outdoorsy so I'm down for any group fitness classes or climbing gyms. I know there are a lot of such gyms around so I'd appreciate if you can share some of your favorite choices :)

I also like reading, biking, cooking, museums, bookstores, volunteering, and exploring in general. I enjoy meaningful conversations and little things in life, but it's been super hard to make any meaningful connections so far. I like listening and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Lately, one of my favorite things has been night walks around Charles to see the beautiful skyline and early morning walks to catch the sunrise!

If you might be interested in making a new friend or have any recommendations, please send me a chat!

Comments

mrunkewl t1_jb2k5h2 wrote on March 5, 2023 at 11:09 PM

Random collection of thoughts, there is a pretty active FB group/Discord server that have a bunch of random activities

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3109143809154886

https://discord.gg/TSWJvEcA
Bike-specific groups that host rides in the warmer months

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500325783405970/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/325402935531296/

Meetup is also great for that

https://meetup.com/

Lastly there is a Boston specific subreddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/BostonSocialClub/

Wibblybit t1_jb2pg4v wrote on March 5, 2023 at 11:50 PM

For any outdoors activity (hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, etc), check out MITOC (mit outdoor club), which is open to the greater Camberville community (not just mit) They run trips for pretty much every skill level and are generally very welcoming and friendly.

NodensInvictus t1_jb2ojno wrote on March 5, 2023 at 11:43 PM

If you want to ride at a party pace and meet folks, Cambridge Bikes does Sunday “coffee outside” rides.

mtmsm t1_jb2tglp wrote on March 6, 2023 at 12:21 AM

(Check their Instagram for details - they post about each ride)

3FreePacks t1_jb39e4m wrote on March 6, 2023 at 2:30 AM

I am part of two local communities: Roller Blading and Wargaming

If you are interested in Rollerblading, there are several beginner (intermediate and advanced) groups in the Cambridge/Boston area. I’d be happy to send you a calendar or a discord invite. We do monthly activities in the winter and weekly activities locally spring/summer/fall

Im also part of the Cambridge Wargaming scene, if you are interested in playing InfiNity or Warhammer or whatever I have another discord I could send you a link to.

unclechuqule t1_jb3s0tk wrote on March 6, 2023 at 5:14 AM

Volo adult sports league

I don’t do it but I have friends who did and loved it. I know they did kickball in Danehy park durning the summer, rn they they are doing Soccer, Bball and Volleyball at the high school https://www.volosports.com/Boston

StruckwithWanderlust t1_jc94g9i wrote on March 15, 2023 at 4:15 AM

Taekwondo - specifically at CW Taekwondo! Great fitness, fun, and community! We have a large and thriving adult population of learners that range in abilities from completely new to world class athletes.

Join us in Central Square and / or DM me!

Learn more at CW Taekwondo's website here

SelrahcWarrior t1_jb50pir wrote on March 6, 2023 at 2:13 PM

Climbing at a gym has been a really easy way to meet people in my experience, it’s such an easy place to start talking to people because you’re often working on the same climb as someone else. If you chat for a bit longer and enjoy it, it’s pretty natural to ask if they want to climb together another time. Boston Bouldering Project in Somerville is filled with grad students, there’s also a Central Rock Gym in Harvard Square that’d be easy to get to as well. I’d only suggest this route if you actually enjoy climbing and want to do it frequently, membership is around $120 a month!

off-season-explorer t1_jbn1210 wrote on March 10, 2023 at 5:16 AM

Seconding Volo, seeing the same people every week is ideal for making new friends. There’s also a FB group “Make Friends After College” that hosts open events weekly

Zealousideal_Ad1549 t1_jca38p1 wrote on March 15, 2023 at 11:26 AM

Came here looking for this. Wife and I are about to move to Boston in a few weeks for a 13 week hospital work contract and always looking for cool people to hang out with.