Almost every working person I have met in my over 30 years in the bay area has been genuine and unpretentious.

I met my wife there and had wonderful experiences raising a great daughter. Life took on incredible new meaning when I became a parent.

Though not defined by my hobbies, they were rich experiences that opened doors and through which I met a wide variety of people, for example, piano, photography, and fishing.

I had previously enlisted in the Coast Guard, given my draft status. I asked my college advisor about such a prospect, way off my path. He said that it could be a way to meet a wide range of people, and it was. From machinists to photographers to officers who had been to grad school. There are ways to relate to people on a fundamental level and to respect their uniqueness.

It helps that I had been exposed to Buddhism, which found greater expression and meaning later in life.

One guy transferred to my workplace (Lockheed) from Florida, a down to earth guy, who seemed from another world. He mentioned that he missed the fishing there. I suggested opportunities in the area and state, and we built that bridge.

I later was on staff at Berkeley, and met a variety of crazy interesting people: staff, grads, some of whom you see in scientific posts here on HN, and Nobel laureates.

I was never about pretension, superficial appearances, or personas. Seek authenticity in people, and you'll find it.

Be genuine, purposeful, and have meaning in life, and you'll find other great people. Anywhere! I did.

Someone doesn't seem to know how to make friends. The Bay Area is a lot larger than a couple neighborhoods in San Francisco.