Finding a role-playing group

[Coppernerves]

For a long time now I've wanted to have a go at table-top RPGs such as Pathfinder, DnD, The Dresden Files RPG or Unknown Armies, thing is, since I haven't yet I don't know whether it's worth buying a rulebook, making a group and putting a campaign together.

This leaves finding a group who are interested in taking a complete newbie, which I have no idea how to do.

Any ideas?

 

[tippy2k2]

1. Find a comic/hobby shop
2. Go to said shop and speak with an employee
3. ????
4. Profit!

These places are always going to be niche shops and almost always welcomes new people with open arms. If you live in the middle of nowhere and there are no shops whatsoever, choose one of your games and just give it a shot. Worst case: You lose less than $100 getting the minimum requirements. Best case: You have a shiny new game and can start spending some cash to put the game into it's "true" form.

 

[Antitonic]

If you're not completely settled with playing "live", you could try one of the online versions. OpenRPG and Roll20 are two off the top of my head. I'm sure you'd be able to find a newbie-friendly group. The only concern then becomes scheduling.

In theory, after a few games, you might want to GM a campaign. Again, there's probably newbie-GM-friendly groups out there. After that, with all that experience under your belt, you could go about setting up a RL-version which would involve the steps tippy2k2 roughly outlined.