We live part time in PNW and would like to meet new people. We are young, very active retirees. The meetups are strangely limited here. I think the cost factor is creeping in. I loved the bookclub I joined on meetup a few years ago at our mountain home. The club changed to closed Facebook (cost) and it is not nearly as enjoyable because of the limited new people who now trickle in instead of flood in.
Are there alternative sites you like to browse? There are bookclubs here in the PNW but they are very narrowed rather than inclusive. I did go to a get together meetup here with over 50 age group that was nice but they have no future events planned. I wonder if they are on a closed Facebook? Not interested in religious groups.
The hiking club I belong to is not a Meetup. I found it by Googling, and as it turns out, the age group skews 50+ & the membership is large.
It’s my best bet for meeting new people, as it’s an inclusive group & does not require participants to RSVP.
I’ve heard others talk about a large local ski club that is supposed to be great. Others have mentioned outings with the Sierra Club.
For book clubs, I’d investigate the local libraries. I’ve heard people rave about how good their local library is with book clubs & film clubs.
Good luck!
Our local library has a lot of programs – crafts, lectures, tutorials – and sponsors a city-wide book group with meetings. I think some of them are at local indie bookstore, which also has book group and author events. Other shops might have classes, like art or knitting, or whatever. Local historical societies of different sorts also have events if that’s the kind of thing that interests you. Some of it might be a bit passive (I’m an introvert, please let me listen to ninety minutes about dry-fitted stone walls rather than making me talk to new people) but it’s one way to get some really local color and company.
You have just encountered the Seattle Freeze. Google it. 
^Love it! There must be a “Maine Freeze,” too!!
I was shocked recently when I asked if a mutual acquaintance could join our book club and was politely told no. WTH?? It’s not like it’s too big. And DH and I have just about given up on inviting people over for dinner. Either they decline immediately (“Oh, we’re awfully busy…”) or accept and then cancel at the last minute. Over and over and over. 
Independent book stores are another good source of book clubs. They may even be open to starting one with you.
@BunsenBurner - I’d never heard of the Seattle Freeze and googled it just now.
It’s strange; I’m an hour north of Seattle and it’s the opposite here; DW’s garden club, my retired mens’ yoga group, the culinary competition club, and the beach ecology group are very welcoming and always reaching out for new members.
We’re in a community with a lot of retirees, many of whom are on the younger side. One of the (many) reasons we’re happy here is how easy it is to meet people.
Call it the Camano Thaw.
+1 to checking with the local library for book clubs and other events/groups. And your local community center if there is one. If you don’t see what you want, consider starting your own group and posting about it in community facebook groups, library, etc.
Have you searched for local groups with the same interests, eg, cycling club, hiking club, etc that aren’t on meetup?
Don’t laugh—H and I have been playing Pokémon Go for a few years and have met other players of varying ages here where we live and when we travel. We’ve made some nice friends around our age and younger by playing and getting together beyond playing for meals, etc.
Others I know have been auditing courses for free at our U and CCollege—can meet some nice folks that way as well.
My BIL joined a hiking group and met lots of folks that way in SF, as did SisIL. SisIL also met a lot of folks walking her dog when they were walking their dogs. She also made friends while traveling as a single.
A friend of mine has made new friends through geocaching if that sort of thing interests you.
Plus however many on the library thing. Also you might want to look into volunteering - something that you do regularly. I help weed a community native plant garden for example. Our library has a cooking club where we bring in dishes with a theme once a month. Very nice group. Our neighborhood has a neighborhood association which meets regularly. We fuss about the local pond, traffic, development, schools and other stuff. It’s really good for cross-generational friendships. I’ve taken art classes and gotten to know people though we don’t socialize outside class.
What about cooking groups? or Wine groups? Or the ROMEOS (retired old men etingout) and the partner group, the Juliets?
See if there is a Lifelong Learning Institute/ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute group in your area. I enjoy the classes and outings very much.
Mine is not an Osher. Just a local group but very, very dedicated and good.
Concerning book clubs, I’ve received the cold shoulder from several book clubs, and they were held in libraries. I chalked it up to a close knit group that wasn’t open to new ideas/thoughts from a new member.
However, I did find one book club through the library that welcomed me with open arms. They then invited me to another book club at a book store.
Oh dear. As most know, I run one of the two book clubs in my city. Mine is in the evening, the other meets during the day. We post in the city paper. Guests each month can vary from 6-30, but our mailing list is over 250 (300?). The day after a meeting, we post a welcome to any new participant. We let others host a book. For example, a french prof from Mount Holyoke suggested The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Then she didn’t show up. I loved the book, and the internet provides bookclub questions, so I was probably the only person who was sad she dropped out then and forever. Snowbirds are so welcomed.
Another drop in was someone who enjoyed The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. She came with several teas mentioned in the book and pastries to coordinate.
When we did a book about a homeless girl, we had 2 local women who began a charity for foster kids. My friend and I donated 19 suitcases to these children. Others offered to help with college visits and decorations for a dorm.
We sponsor guest lecturers and local,author evening events. We get over 100 people to attend historic events, that means someone is dressed as Dolly Madison, and talks about her life. Next is Frederick Douglass.
My part is quite small. The library has daily activities and every Sunday, some event. It has a book shop and outreach programs.
My point. Long winded. Is that every community has volunteer activities. If you find one that resonates you are likely to meet your people.
I think the next time we are here we will have more free time (currently care giving GD) to check out more. We did audit courses at home for 3 years and really met no one. Here we would not qualify for that as non resident in this state. Wonderful ideas on this thread!
Do you google to find these groups? I tried that before starting this thread, like cooking groups.
My kids gave me. Gift certificate for Sur. Most if not all the evening groups are for “couples/date nights”. That could be terrific for you, as you are a couple.
If anybody is thinking about maybe looking at churches in new town, know that many now do extensive (non-religious) community outreach programs. Lots of opportunities for volunteer work and fellowship.
The best I have found in the PNW is to keep looking on your NextDoor. I am now in a bookclub and a Mah Jong group thanks to NextDoor. Also, post what you would like and you may very well get some responses. I also hired a private yoga teacher from a NextDoor post–my sciatica stopped that from being successful but the teacher is now a new friend. Meetup are typically way too large here.