For example, moving around in my own country (UK) I’ve found it difficult to settle, lay roots and build a solid social bubble. I think a factor is that people are usually in well established families and social bubbles by this age (mid 30s).
Another factor specific to the UK is that friends/family are usually fairly commutable wherever you are. I imagine this is different with the US, in that if you move state you are fairly isolated, and so there’s more emphasis for building new social foundations perhaps?
I wonder if it’s like this as an expat? You are, along with most other expats, having to build a new. Doesn’t this lend itself to an easier social building experience? Well, with other fellow expats at least. I guess building it with locals is another challenge completely.
Or am I being naive? Is it just as difficult to “gain entry” into such communities? Again, I guess it varies on location, but I’d be interested to hear your experience.
It is not just as difficult to “gain entry”, it’s more difficult.
Don’t get me wrong: for the most part I have been able to find friends abroad. I have good friends from all over the world, and certainly living in transient communities is conducive to finding others who also need new friends. IME there are lovely, friendly people everywhere.
However, there is something to be said for having a shared culture, socialization norms, and understanding for one another. Making friends in your mid-20s and beyond is difficult anywhere, but add in differences in culture, lifestyle, social subtleties and more, and suddenly you’re on challenge mode. Plus, you are likely dealing with additional stress/obligations such as learning a new language, a different (and demanding) work environment, and so on, such that you are too tired to even bother socializing at the end of the day.