I note that the parent is mainly talking about the people, and you're mainly talking about other things, except to admit that the people are 'a bit' (I would say profoundly) passive. Believe me, I love the scenery and the sushi too, but goddamn this place lonely.
In 7 years in Seattle, I've amassed a mess of friends and playmates. If you are lonely, expand your social horizons, initiate (lunches, coffees, games, dinners, whatever), rinse, repeat. I'm not excessively charming, so that's about the only thing I can attribute my not-remotely-loneliness to... I just worked at not being lonely.
Given how itinerant Seattle's population is, it seems strange to think that the people here are massively different in behavior cities of similar size.
It's a skill, so you might suck. But it's possible you're just not doing the work. Be the guy who calls, hosts dinners, etc. If you DO suck, this will help with that too. :-)
