Caught in a hard place between friendship, attraction, and common crowds

[randotransplant]

I've been a transplant to a new city for a little under a year now so few acquaintances in or out of work (The 2nd youngest person at my workplace is literally over double my age, not really people I can hang with after hours) and even fewer people I'd call friends; let's just say this city has been described as a nice but difficult place to form lasting friendships. Lucky me though, I had found one close friend [26/F] but, of course, I've developed deeper feelings as we hung out over the months.

 

 

 

If this were back home, I'd be fine with just outright asking her out for a date/if she was interested in a relationship. In this case though, we both know so few people, we run with similar, small crowds and obviously I don't want to create that awkward atmosphere that could result from it assuming it doesn't work out whereas at home I can sorta fan out more thanks to larger social circles. I also feel like she's really the only true friend I have in the area since she's the only one that consistently invites me out to stuff and we see each other near weekly. Additionally, just from my POV and where we both are in life, it would be hard to see a relationship going the distance. It's not as fun being with her anymore because of all this but I know we'll keep running into each other because of the previous reasons of similar social circles and because we're extremely similar in hobbies and interests.

 

 

So, I'm not sure where I stand/what I want, or exactly how I would frame my question for help on this. I don't think I want to ask her out and it is getting more difficult to be with her. But I know if I were to just cut off contact, I'd have to pretty much stop going to all the activities I attend now since there would be a great chance at seeing her there.