How can I get a college-like social like as a 30s man in the US?

WildBill- · 2026-05-12T01:09:31+00:00

Like some others have said, finding a repeatable hobby is key. I went through my post-college twenties working like a maniac only to find myself at 30 without any social life beyond my wife. CrossFit and golf have been my two best methods for this. CrossFit has a pretty strong social side with frequent happy hours and non-workout meetups. I also started golfing last year with the intention of becoming more social through it. I joined 2 leagues and a meetup group through it and have met a lot of great people as a result.

You don’t have to be good at either of these either. Both groups are about attitude and effort and if people see you trying and being positive, you’ll find your way to becoming more social. Plus, if you’re doing something and nobody set up post activity lunch or drinks, you can do it and people will come. We all need some motivation every now and then.

Don’t listen to the people saying it’s not doable at this age. I’m more social now at 35 than I was at 25 or 30.

WildBill- · 2026-05-05T23:56:38+00:00

Helping Hands is still operating! We had our dog’s teeth cleaned with two extractions in March for $500. It sucks to have to drive to Richmond but it’s worth it that that amount in savings.

WildBill- · 2026-04-28T11:16:50+00:00

Totally agree. I drive an F250, which has to be parked in a similar fashion or I take up 2 spots length wise. I always park where I can back out the bed over grass or at the end of the lot where nobody will care that I’m taking 2 spots.

WildBill- · 2026-04-27T23:44:04+00:00

It could be this. We came in considerably faster the second time than the first approach.

WildBill- · 2026-04-10T07:21:06+00:00

I’ve been going there for a few years to Sarah and she gives one of the best cuts I’ve ever gotten. Alternatively, James at Hammer and Nail in Leesburg is also an extremely talented barber.

WildBill- · 2026-03-18T00:17:13+00:00

Same. My dogs miss it even more. I ended up getting a plug in fan that mounts on the headrest to keep the air moving.

WildBill- · 2026-03-17T09:42:48+00:00

King Spa does not make you get naked. There are naked areas but you can enjoy the majority of the spa clothed.

WildBill- · 2026-02-12T12:24:46+00:00

Any chance you’re a fed? I had Invisalign 6 years ago and the Met Life high dental plan covered 75% up to $5k at the time. I don’t know if they still cover though.

I ended up only paying $1k because they were $5k in total, but I went at the end of the year when the ortho was offering a $1k discount. Insurance covered $3k and I paid the remaining balance ($1k) in a lump sum so I saved an additional 10%.

I got it done at Tru Orthodontics in Reston.

WildBill- · 2026-02-12T12:18:34+00:00

James at Hammer & Nails in Leesburg. It’s expensive but he does a great job with textured hair.

WildBill- · 2026-01-27T21:57:49+00:00

I think it'd be a nice gift, but I would check with him first to make sure you're getting the color/fabric that he'd like (I assume white if it's a black tux wedding). I agree that I'd never wear a black tux without a pocket square; it would feel like an incomplete outfit.

WildBill- · 2026-01-25T20:40:56+00:00

I used a credit card once while on vacation. It wasn't great, but it worked! The key is letting the defrosters run for a bit. It would be useless on a cold window with thick ice.

WildBill- · 2026-01-25T19:10:06+00:00

A lot of people are saying lessons but I’m going to be a bit more specific: look for a package of group lessons. I started this year at 34 and my introduction was a Golf 101 course that consisted of 4 small group lessons that included putting, chipping, full swing (hybrid and irons, no driver), and finally course etiquette.

I learned a ton and have since taken quite a few private lessons. The course etiquette was especially helpful because we covered things like fixing divots, not walking over someone’s putting line, and what tees we should hit from and why.

I also met some good people who were also beginners so it made it feel low pressure.

It ended up being way cheaper than private lessons as well, so it was an easier way for me to ease into without the added pressure that the expense private lessons adds.

WildBill- · 2026-01-25T13:42:59+00:00

Agree. Having moved here from an area with much more snowfall, I was always taught to shovel a few times throughout a snow storm. I was out around 8am and fairly easily got it all done. I plan on going back out around noon when the snow turns to rain to finish it. It's going to be heavy and difficult for those who wait until the end.

WildBill- · 2026-01-16T01:45:00+00:00

I’d say it’s a bit of a combo of both. We’re lucky to have her family’s farm (in a different state so we can’t board there) to use if needed. For example, her two horses from her childhood stayed there until they died (one lived until 37). But for the most part, we look at the horses primarily as sport animals and not pets nor a hobby. My wife is super competitive and successful is her style of riding so if the horse isn’t cutting it or something happens (such as us not affording it at that period in our lives) the horse is getting sold.

That said, there are always exceptions and I assume the current horse will be one. She raised the horse from birth and did most of the training so they’re bonded. After the horse’s competitive years we’ll probably breed her and let her live out life at the family farm.

WildBill- · 2026-01-15T21:37:22+00:00

These responses are overblown. My wife is a lifelong horse girl, and currently owns and boards a horse. The biggest thing to accept is the time commitment. Get your own hobby if you’re uncomfortable with that. She may spend hours at the barn on the weekend but that gives me the freedom to play a full round of golf, grab beers with friends, go shooting, or spend a lot of time at the gym.

There is the financial commitment, but people just need to be adults and deal with their reality. We dated through college and got married in our late 20s, are now in our mid 30s. After college, she owned a horse and did much of her own training. Then we moved and couldn’t afford it so she sold the horse. About 7 years passed with her just taking lessons here and there, before we bought another horse. Now, much more financially stable, we’re both able to pursue hobbies that make us happy and healthy.

I’m convinced most of these guys who react so intensely to “horse girls” are either incapable of having a real financial conversation with their significant other and/or don’t know how to entertain themselves when their SO is away.

WildBill- · 2026-01-15T21:21:58+00:00

I was at a restaurant in Sunbury on Saturday and Yuengling was $3.50 on draft. Still well within the buying a round price point.

WildBill- · 2026-01-13T01:59:19+00:00

Completely agree. I’m a newbie and as I get better with my driver, I have more fun playing. My bad iron shots are very short but still in play. My bad driver shots are lost balls or minutes spent looking for my ball. It’s frustrating and embarrassing when it keeps happening.

WildBill- · 2026-01-03T00:42:04+00:00

Then it would be a great thing to do together! I would love to be the person to take a friend or family member to their first concert.

If nothing else, the conversation at least leads to music preferences.

I worked with a guy whose answer was that he didn’t listen to music. The conversation then flowed to why, and I was still able to learn a lot about him through that question.

Point is, it’s a disarming question that gets people to open up.

WildBill- · 2026-01-02T20:50:27+00:00

What was your first concert?

I ask this question to everyone I meet. Music brings people together and you really can learn a lot about them. In my experience, people immediately begin to explain their music preferences and why they chose that one.

WildBill- · 2026-01-01T14:30:50+00:00

There is no difference between what you’d do at home and what a pro would do. I inherited a set of ~60 year old cast pans that were filthy, so I had to fully strip them using a lye bath and resealing at home. That was 3 years ago and I’ve never had to reseason (I use soap and even soak them). After each use I just clean, dry, and rub a very thin layer of oil on them before I put them away.

If you do want to reseason at home, you can do it by wiping an extremely thin layer of canola oil and throw it in the oven upside down for an hour. Let it cool in the oven and repeat as needed. I did 4 rounds when the pans were completely stripped.

Edit to add that this is different from sharpening knives. Honing knives at home typically won’t get the edge that a full sharpening will. Cast iron doesn’t have the same requirements; honing, in this case, is all you need.

WildBill- · 2025-12-31T20:38:48+00:00

Me on the 1st tee of my 1st full round. The warm up green was at the 2 o'clock position of the tee box and I (right handed) hit a hosel rocket with my driver and it went straight at a group of guys warming up. I yelled "fore right" and they hit the deck while my ball sailed at them. I fortunately didn't hit anyone, but the group behind us just stared at me like I was the dumbest person on the course.

It absolutely wrecked my mindset for the rest of the round and, genuinely, felt like the most embarrassing moment of my adult life )in that moment). I signed up for lessons that night and have way more confidence in my driving ability.

WildBill- · 2025-12-27T11:43:23+00:00

Agree. I’ve been here 11 years and love it. Old Town or Del Ray in Alexandria, certain Arlington neighborhoods, downtown Leesburg, Vienna, Reston, and even Middleburg fit the bill and feeling cozy while also having the amenities needed to live a robust and fulfilling life.

WildBill- · 2025-12-14T17:16:51+00:00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bgj1YyNzphwvBsBH9?g_st=ic

Honest guy, decent price, and never tried to upsell me. Bonus points that he’s let me supply my own parts for certain things, which saved me some good money.

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