I joined 25 strangers for a weekend trip off the grid in a remote town. Stepping way out of my comfort zone paid off.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Woman smiling in front of red house with green doors
As I've gotten older, I've learned to embrace rare chances to step out of my comfort zone. This time, it was by disconnecting in a remote area abroad with a group of people I didn't know.

Allie Hubers

I'm the organizer in my friend group. Someone has to be, or we'd never see each other.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics
Women meeting for coffee
The author is the one organizing friends' hangouts.

Courtesy of the author

I've made friends on solo trips and traveled to visit them. These relationships are just as valuable as local ones.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer and a friend posing with heart hands in front of the Eiffel Tower at night.
I traveled to Paris and reconnected with some friends I met on solo trips in 2024.

Chelsia Durkee

After my divorce, I needed a support system that didn't come from romance. I made new friends, but it took time.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Travel
The author standing on a waterfront.
The author started making new friends after her divorce.

Courtesy of Theresa Pickett

My friends and I take a 14-hour Amtrak trip together every year. It's the cheapest way to spend time together.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Four friends posing in front of an Amtrak train in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
I love taking a 14-hour round-trip Amtrak train ride with my friends every year.

Leighana Luther

My friend and I swapped house-cleaning duties. It kept us motivated and saved us money on a house cleaner.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
The author and her friend.
The author and her friend helped each other clean for a day.

Courtesy of Kris Ann Valdez

My husband and I moved to a small town 6 months ago. Here's how we quickly built up a great group of friends.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Composite image, on the left is the author (middle) with two friends, on the right is the author (middle) sitting at a picnic table with friends.
The author and her husband moved to a small town six months ago and made friends easily.

Courtesy of Tayla Blaire

I've lived in LA, Philadelphia, and Seattle. In every city, my closest friendships have been with women my mom's age.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Woman smiling in chair with baby next to window with ocean views
Although I'm in my 30s, most of my closest friends are over 50. They've helped me build community and navigate different life stages.

Cheyenne Elwell

A group of old college friends has met on Zoom every Thursday night for 321 weeks. They don't plan to ever stop.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics, Technology
Members of the NovaZoom group
A group of friends from Villanova has met on Zoom every Thursday night since March 19, 2020.

Courtesy of Nick Sampogna

I became friends with a woman 40 years older than me. She taught me how to live.

Tech Insider : Business
Women at kitchen making tea

Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

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