I found myself in a somewhat similar situation after moving to a new neighborhood. I think that it helps to genuinely be interested in the people around you, and focus on them a bit...and there are a lot of everyday courtesies that become almost automatic and can be used without too much effort...like a wry comment about the weather...everybody talks about the weather, right? I found at work that there is a certain level of pleasant, business courtesy that makes you nice to work with, without being too personal or emotionally involved, and that is the balance to strive for. I, too, am a quiet person and a bit of a loner these days, and I don't think it's necessary to tell jokes or interesting stories if that doesn't come naturally to you. Just basic good manners, which really means being genuinely interested in the person you are talking to, and just using the pleasantries that are natural and anyone would say (the weather, the commute, whatever was topical on the news that morning, without getting too political...keep it light and superficial.) You sound like a nice person who is working on social skills appropriately...I don't think you need to try so hard. And after work, just veg out with yourself having the quiet, alone time that I think we all need to have...to re-charge the batteries and go back and do it all again the next day.