Even tho I live in a big city, and it offer many opportunities for getting together In-Person, because, lets face it, if a relationship as a friend is to happen, we need to meet physically.
I've made use of meetup.com which is vast and offers all kinds of possibilities and while I've started even myself to find friends along lines I was interested in ( discussing certain newspaper articles that grapple with larger human issues including how we keep ourselves in optimal health, I was Not able to find anyone who I could call a friend.

The problem, yes it's more like The Problem, is that people (rightly) feel lonely but strangely they also often feel Ashamed of reaching out, as if others can see they are friendless=no one likes them. And yet a friend is one who is equally interested in having you as their friend. It's a Mutual relationship, one cannot be a friend to someone who does not feel SAME level of closeness towards you. So if I want a few genuine connections, I can only connect with others who too have at least Some of the same things I am interested in.

So I've while left two such groups, I've also joined two new ones. As an octogenarian, I do feel it's crucial to have nurturing friends. So I concentrate on What Next, and do not dwell on who disappointed me ... it makes no sense to waste the little time I've left as some pains and body limitations keep reminding me to waste no time.

Libraries, communities centers, even connecting with local social initiatives and even churches activities where you might help out even if you do not believe in that religious community, unless they show aversion toward you.