Yes..however, things improve over time. You'll network eventually with others who are more likeminded. And still, I think diversity is fantastic.. people of different walks of life, ways of doing things. However, this is one area that I have found more struggle with, because while I live amongst my 'peer group' (other mid-career, mid-30's to 40's, mid-to-upper class, children, etc) it is NOT as common in our particular community to find others that are living the way we do, with the same goals in mind.
Those folks (a strong percentage, I'm not going to make a sweeping statement) are still living it up like it's 1999 (pre-recession).. Big, flashy cars, double incomes (which is fine but they have an uber consumable lifestyle to go with it). So, I feel a little out of place. However, some great people have come into my life that I can find common ground with. Church has also been great, because the socialization isn't centered around going to best restaurants in town, who is going where on vacation, and all of the other things that just place us surrounded by Jones's and lead to honest to God temptation for my husband (who is while on board, a lot easier persuaded by stuff than I am). So, church.. you're going for bible studies, there's potlucks, kids are gathered together playing. It just creates some ease for me that I enjoy. And then, we choose to move in a sub-neighborhood in our planned community that is majority retirees. How does this benefit us? They aren't about what we're wearing, what we're driving, and what fancy things our kids are doing after school, yada yada. They're more impressed by the fact that we sold one of our vehicles and husband paid cash for a motorcycle, the fact that I was riding my bike on an errands route, that the kids are in free after school activities through school, and that we can stay home on a Friday night still having a great time.
Anyhow, hang in there. Maybe you can find some folks to talk to by going to places like farmer's market/art fairs, library, church, even vegetarian meetups (you don't have to be vegetarian).. but along those lines, be open to places that people are just living more simply, consciously, and are more apt to 'get' where you're coming from. I've even been to a permaculture forum for urban type gardeners (I may have the term incorrect).. but even though I don't live in an urban setting (we're in suburbia).. I'm like minded where I"m in a townhouse with a front entry and small back porch (like many with condos, garage apartments, and brownstone walk up townhouses in our urban area). Am I growing all of my food? No. However, it was cool to hang out with people who do things other than blowing $100 at the movie theatre on a Friday night and instead potluck awesome food and talk about growing food on their backstep. That's just me, though.. And my husband brought back a Didgerdoo from his recent work in Australia, so we personally like to break out the smoker/grill, listen to our brilliant daughter play her instruments and sing, husband play the didge, play darts, go fishing, or on a walk. Would it be fantastic to meet a few other families to get together with on the weekend and do these things? Yes. However, one step at a time and am at least glad I have a few people (outside of the 'net) to talk to about our FI goals and who don't stare blankly at us with ways we save money.
