I have been in the UK for almost 6 years (I’m 34) and 2023 was the year I really started making friends . I would say I’m friendly with lots of people but only have 2ish close friends. I am from the States and none of my friends are expats, which I am fine with.
I have a small business along side my day job so that has put me in spaces to meet lots of different people. I am not too bothered about having really close friends but understand why it’s important. I feel like even if I’m not super close with lots of people, the casual friendships are still meaningful in their own way.
It will be 6 years since I moved from America to the UK in a little less that two weeks and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am happier, my husband is happier- it took time for me to make friendships but it has helped me really figure out who I am. I did lots of mini trips to near by towns/cities by myself to gain confidence when I first moved here. I love the life we have made here and I do not plan to ever move back to the states. Next year I plan to apply for citizenship and I can’t wait. We sold everything we owned before we moved here and it was quite freeing to get rid of it all.
It’s a big step but it can also be a FUN one!