Retirement is an exciting time in life. It can be a great opportunity to explore new hobbies, travel, or even start a new business.
And it also means leaving behind old routines, friends, or acquaintances you may have engaged with for years…
To embrace your new role and identity in retirement.
Sometimes, for growth (which you’re designed to do throughout all stages), life has a funny way of pushing you in new directions away from your former social circles.
In fact, research has shown that while transitioning into retirement, many older adults lose touch with their peripheral social networks like coworkers (here’s a helpful article on how to cope with losing friends).
Which is why senior friendship sites are such amazing resources.
Whether you’re looking for companionship, travel partners, or just someone to chat with online, these friendship sites can help connect you with others in your age group.
While some of the sites on our list aren’t really for older adults only, there’s certainly something for everyone.
But first, let’s quickly outline what a senior friendship site is, so we’re on the same page.
What Are Senior Friendship Sites?
Senior friendship sites are online communities specifically tailored to adults over the age of 50.
They provide a safe and fun environment to form friendships and meet new people who share similar interests. Some of these sites can also help seniors stay active and engaged in their communities by organizing local activities like volunteer opportunities, outings, or events.
Social interaction is a fundamental part of the human experience. Too often people believe that as you age, it becomes harder to find meaningful connections.
While it may be less convenient, it’s definitely worth the effort to reach out.
And that’s also why senior friendship sites are so important — they can help you stave off loneliness even without leaving the comfort of your home.
5 Best Senior Friendship Sites
#1 Buzz50
Buzz50 is a social networking site specifically designed for seniors over 50. It’s easy to use, and you can join a variety of chat rooms that are organized by topic.
There are also forums where you can post messages and interact with other members, as well as photo galleries where you can upload your own images or view those uploaded by others.
Buzz50 is completely free to use, but they offer Buzzer points for purchase, which can be used to unlock various features, rewards, and virtual gifts. And if you ever get tired from chatting, you can play some of the fun mini-games available on their site.
#2 Meetup
While Meetup isn’t a senior-only friendship site, it’s one of the most popular platforms for adults of all ages.
You can use it to find events near you that match your interests and join local groups with people who share those same interests. The platform also offers a variety of online activities like virtual book clubs, movie nights, and more.
There are thousands of active groups on Meetup, so you should be able to find one that fits your interests and location. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even start your own group or event.
#3 Reddit
Like Meetup, Reddit is a platform for people of all ages that also offers many senior-focused subreddits (subsections) where you can find interesting conversations and topics that are geared toward those over 50.
Here are some of our favorites:
- r/Retirement — get advice on retirement planning, money management, and more
- r/AskOldPeople — share your wisdom with younger generations
- r/TheWayWeWere — discuss the past and reminisce
Reddit is an open platform, so it’s important to be mindful of what you’re posting and always practice good (n)etiquette. But if you follow the rules, Reddit can be a great way to make new friends, stay informed on important topics, and even find local events near you.
Even if you don’t make new friends, you’ll have hours of fun with subreddits like r/aww or r/todayilearned.
#4 Senior Chatters
Senior Chatters is an online forum specifically designed for older adults looking for friendship or companionship online. With almost 10,000 members, it’s one of the most popular senior friendship sites out there.
The site has an active discussion board where users can ask questions or share experiences on any topic imaginable – from health advice to pets – plus there are plenty of other fun activities like polls and trivia quizzes, too.
They also spice it up with extras like podcasts, blogs, and other quizzes. Plus, there’s a private messaging feature so you can reach out to other members for a more private conversation.
#5 Stitch
Stitch is a social community for anyone over 50, with more than 150,000 members. It’s free to join their Limited membership, $7 per month for the Full membership, $10 per month for the Standard membership, and $15 per month for the Plus membership.
Paid memberships, of course, allow you to check out more of the events, activities, chat options, interest groups, and social connections. And you can cancel anytime.
Among its features, inside Stitch, there’s a variety of group types, including Regular, Public, and Private.
Whether you’re looking for shared activities, travel companions, friendships, or even a special someone, there’s something to explore in Stitch.
A Place to Meet & Share
With these senior friendship sites at your fingertips, finding others who “get” you has never been easier (or more fun) than it is today, thanks to the possibility of connecting through technology.
Here’s our recap of the five best senior friendship sites:
- #1 Buzz50 — for joining a social networking site for older adults over 50
- #2 Meetup — for finding local events and people with similar interests
- #3 Reddit — for engaging in conversations and chats about various topics
- #4 Senior Chatters — for joining an online forum connecting older adults
- #5 Stitch — for becoming a member of a large social community of people 50 and over across many topics and events
Take advantage of these amazing opportunities available right now, start building relationships with others who share your interests, and fight the loneliness off.
May your journey be full of joyous connections along your way!
