Long post, and not entirely sure if this is a seddit-related question, but I've internalized the self-improvement aspect of this sub and it has truly helped me in finding my path and in 180ing out of the personal hell I was in about 12 months ago, so maybe you guys can help.

Some preface: due to various circumstances, I had to move to a pretty unfamiliar place. I'm certain that I'm exactly where I need to be for my own personal growth.. except that my closest friends are hundreds of miles away. And over the past few months, I've been getting more and more disconnected with most of them. This hasn't stopped me from going out to meet ladies near me and be my expressive self, but something hit me hard tonight; I don't have a social circle local to me, and it kind of sucks.

Some about me: 23M in US, class of '18 uni grad, decent looking and average height (5ft 10in). I've been serious with 3 girls since I was 15 with very little time in between them. I have been single for about 8 months now, longest I've been since the 10th grade.. though at first it was hard, it now feels liberating like nothing else. Feel like I'm more in touch with myself than I've ever been. Never really dated around though and my goal is to work myself up to that. I'm reading much more than I did in college, reviving old hobbies, maintaining my most consistent gym routine in years, and will be starting my first job in my field in the immediate future (used confidence/high value mentality advice I got from this sub and nailed the interview, thank you guys).

Nonetheless, I find myself in a different social landscape than I'm used to. Ive been taking some motivation from this sub and going out alone to bars, concerts, clubs, etc. alone for the past few months, and bottom line has always been have fun, mingle, and be myself. I've had modest success with approaches/night-of escalations (not ready to date yet, still got some work to do), but I had a really unique kind of rejection tonight..

I ran into a pretty cool dude in the smoking area of a bar/club. We were like-minded, related on various life experiences, and I was excited with the prospect of making a friend around here finally. He wanted to introduce me to his friends, and we went inside and found his (literal) circle, 3 girls 3 other guys. Building was kind of loud so couldn't really talk, so it was just gestures; he gestured to introduce me with a hand, I put up a fist bump to the newest guy nearest me, and he just sort of.. denied it. I dont know how else to say it. He looked at my hand with skepticism and kind of shook his head. I played it off as best I could, grooved a bit to the music and acknowledged the rest of the group. One of the girls might've warm to me, but it got cut short when the guys signalled to each other to move the group else where. I didnt want to just trail behind or give any more time of day to these people that just roasted me like that, so I didnt follow. The guy I initially met in the smoking area put a hand on his chest and offered me a fist bump goodbye.

And I just walked out.

I was completely ripped out of state from that interaction. Felt like whatever social proof I could muster from being out on my own that night was butchered. I know most people didn't see what happened, but I was thoroughly embarrassed anyways. I ordered an uber and waited quietly outside while the blocks all around were full of nightlife. I'll try again in a few days, but this was the hardest "rejection" I've faced since I started going out alone.

Now, I've faced rejection my whole life, recently not excluded; I've had girls shake their head and say thanks, I've had girls vanish from proximity. A few weeks ago, a girl I was polarizing wagged her finger in my face and stormed off with her friends. Doesnt faze me anymore. The handful of escalations to kiss-close/meaningful number pickups I've pulled off with cuties makes me know I'm tending towards the right track with my game with the opposite sex, at least at point of contact.. but this one hurt, and it wasn't even a girl. I think it's cause I really don't have friends out here.

I think establishing a social circle for myself ought to be one of my priorities now and might help me get over some mental blocks I'm having, especially with following up with some girls on an intimate basis.. do you guys agree? And how does one go about this in a completely new place?.. I've always used school as a crutch. Part of me wants to mingle at the various spots popular with the college/university students around here, but how the hell do I go about this without leaking neediness of "will you be my first friend in the area"? It feels like the non-neediness principle applies just as strongly if not more to attracting friendships. Maybe I can make new meaningful friend when I start my new job in a week, but nonetheless, I feel like I should stop gaming women and start seeking friendships first. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Tl;dr: Settling down in a new place. Was okay without having friends anywhere nearby until recently. How important are physical interactions with friends to your inner-game?