It's two things: population density and transience. If you live where there are maybe 20 people per acre and most people are born somewhere different (cough Mia

It's two things: population density and transience. If you live where there are maybe 20 people per acre and most people are born somewhere different (cough Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix cough) it can be very lonely because there are few institutions that gather people together, and also there are fewer opportunities to bump into your neighbors. In low-density, low-transient places like rural towns the biggest problem isn't loneliness -- it's how to get people out of your hair. If you live where everyone is from everywhere but they are packed so tightly you have to get along, it's much easier to make friends. People also tend to spend more time outside their homes because they are so small.