Actually, I'd prefer social isolation over interacting with dysfunctional individuals on a regular basis.
I suspect that the Seattle area is full of miserable loners, considering that both famous rockers, Kurt Colbain & Layne Staley, had killed themselves, and countless serial killers grew up in and around the Pacific Northwest.
On the other shoe, I've actually found that many of the non-urban locales in the New England region & upstate NY to be a lot friendlier than the west coast.
And since I'd started traveling with
my lesbian ex-classmate, *Melissa*, countless ppl have been engaging us in conversations and so forth.
I'm not sure if this is a northeast only phenomena but my sense is that if ppl see a 'couple', they let down their guard and open up. If they see a single guy, they first stick with their suspicions and then, loosen up if something changes.
Many years ago, the Best Picture of 1999, "American Beauty", telegraphed the message of Happier Abroad to the world.
Beware of long term engagements with AWs, you may find yourself in a coffin.
AB discussion thread
BTW, despite settling down with an AW, myself, the warning is still in effect.