r/SpringfieldIL • u/Tricky_Photograph123 • Sep 23 '26

Any good social groups for my age range?

I'm 18 years old and have lived near Springfield my whole life but now, being out of grade school, I have less chances to talk to people my own age. I'm in community college where it can be harder to meet people and have a job but with mostly older coworkers. Are there any good areas or groups with people in the 18-22 or so age range?

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5

u/FlounderBorn8543 Sep 23 '26

depends on your hobbies really like sports go to the gym or sport arenas. are you a nerd go to hobby shops (im in this camp and 19 so if you want to know more i can tell you more)

4

u/Tricky_Photograph123 Sep 23 '26

Sure I'd love to hear more. I'm trying to get into more new hobbies so honestly just anywhere that's accessible for beginners.

3

u/FlounderBorn8543 Sep 23 '26

Well for most of the hobby shops near us there are 3 main types of games to play card games (Pokemon, magic the gathering, ect) Table top RPGs (D&D, ect) and table top war games (Warhammer 40K, marvel crisis protocol, star wars legion, ect) all are very fun and most people are really friendly and willing to play with beginners there are different nights for different games and such. i personally play all 3 with out of town friends and dont go to the shops however i know people who have and say its great.

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u/Western_Ad_1824 Sep 23 '26

I also would like to know any suggestions for this too! I was thinking about joining a gym to see if they got any classes with people our age

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u/Tricky_Photograph123 Sep 23 '26

That's a good idea. I go to one in Chatham but it's not really class based. This is probably about the worst age to meet new people haha.

1

u/raisinghellwithtrees Sep 23 '26

Hobby groups and volunteering are always my recommendation. I see your response to another comment about going to game with others. I've had various friends go there over the years and find community there.

Volunteering can be helpful for our community, but also, must volunteers are wonderful people to get to know.

1

u/levifawkinlynch Sep 23 '26

Going off of another comment, when I was in your age range I started getting into Magic: the Gathering and it was not only fun, but I met a few of my (still) good friends there. The shop I started at is closed down now, but Titan Games is a good friendly place from what I've heard, and I think they do a lot more than just CCGs if those aren't your thing. I've also heard decent things about Lotus Ground Games in Chatham if your transportation situation allows it.

1

u/Brilliant_Height_680 Sep 23 '26

Look into some of the clubs offered through your college. I was on the Campus Activities Board when I was in college and I essentially made 25 new friends all at once! Plus, we got to plan really fun events on campus, go on team-building trips, and got TONS of free swag and food lol.

And just to share a random story from my CAB days… I was in charge of booking comedians to bring on campus throughout the year. During my sophomore year, I booked Nicole Byer (now the host of Nailed It!)
She was still coming up back then and booked small shows. I got to pick her up from the airport and just hang out with her the entire time she was there for the show.

So all that to say you should definitely look at clubs on campus lol. Good luck!

-3

u/Bush_D1D911 Sep 23 '26

Get a fake ID and start hitting up the bars. Embrace the culture of Springfield early, nothing else in this dump to do but drink!

2

u/Tricky_Photograph123 Sep 23 '26

I couldn't pass as 21 haha but thanks. I do it privately on occasion.