I lived in a long stay backpackers hostel for a while. Socialising there was a lot like the place your'e describing. There were a lot of solo travelers who kne

I lived in a long stay backpackers hostel for a while. Socialising there was a lot like the place your'e describing. There were a lot of solo travelers who knew literally nobody in the city. You'd end up making friends without even trying, you'd sit down for dinner at the table with a stranger and you'd make a friend by the time you finished tea. If you wanted to go out to town, you'd just join in with the group drinking. There was always people playing cards or board games, or watching a movie. It was an amazing social experience. The only (large) downside is that it's all temporary. Everybody is only staying for a few months, before they move on to the next place. I met some lifelong friends there (or I assume they will be), but they're scattered all over the world now. Great for when I travel, not so great for socialising on a Saturday afternoon. I guess university was similar. I made a lot of friends through university events, parties, and just being in the same lab studying. We make most of our friends at school and university, and keep them for life usually. Once we become professionals and join the full time workforce, there's diminishing opportunities to meet new people. I recently moved countries and it has been extraordinarily hard to meet new people.