Moved to new haven when I was the same age as you. Yale is for sure escapable if you are not living/working downtown; but, if bars and clubs are your thing undergrads are going to be there. East rock and westville are neighborhoods with “community” (can’t speak to others those are the ones I’ve lived in.) But, generally speaking, you will have to make the effort to put yourself out there as people in the northeast tend to not go out of there way to strike up conversation etc. I think it comes down to your hobbies and finding groups into those things. New Haven has a little bit of a lot, great food scene, very strong art scene for a city of its size, music does come here but nyc may be a better option depending on what kind of music you’re into. Outdoor stuff, hiking, biking, kayaking etc. is popular in the summer and pretty abundant within a short drive. There are tons of colleges here other than Yale so there is a large group of people in your age range here. I’m not in the know completely, but the lgbt community seems fairly large and open here, you’ll see lots of rainbow flags around town and from what I’ve experienced new haven is very liberal and accepting.

My best advice for meeting people is get plugged into what’s going on in your neighborhood, go to events, and put yourself out there a little. There’s no easy way to connect with people y’know? Just gotta keep trying. Follow this sub too as stuff like this is posted a lot with other people in your situation. Work friends wil be a thing too, so lean into that if you can.

For a music lovers I’d look into “the space” venue, college st. Music hall, and redscroll records in wallingford.

Sorry, I know this is all vague, but I wish you good luck!