I never did actually go on a Meetup, but I did join various other things - a ladies social group, divorce group, volunteering in charity bookstore, salsa class, yoga group - all of these things and a few other new female friends mean I keep pretty busy and happy.
The cool part of town sounds like a good place to be. I find if you wonder about and look at signs in Windows, stores and cafes, you can often find new things to do. I recall that you love animals and wonder if you would consider some kind of volunteering that involves them perhaps? A friend of mine does weekly walks at a dog rescue centre, which I think sounds lovely.
Have a good weekend :-)
T 13 M 7 Me 48 H 46 SS 15 BD 7.14 PA D final 5.16 (H filed)
We receive & we lose, and must try to achieve gratitude & embrace with whole hearts whatever of life that remains after the losses - Dubus