I am in a similar boat, and simply have started going to the events I can. Where I live there is not much happening. Ultimately you reap what you sow, so with

I am in a similar boat, and simply have started going to the events I can. Where I live there is not much happening. Ultimately you reap what you sow, so with this in mind I select the key events and make the time and effort to go there and engage with people.