Ask HN: How does one meet "interesting" people in smaller cities?

Hello all, I just moved from San Francisco to a smaller town (Columbia, SC) for a new job. I am an academic and I am very grateful to be here, my department is excellent and the job is really great overall.

It has been a little bit difficult moving though. In San Francisco I was constantly meeting people who were: busting their tail in law school to become public interest lawyers; starting their own businesses; taking very advanced lessons in theater, meditation, yoga, etc. and inviting me along; traveling to foreign countries, by themselves, and coming back to tell the tale; etc.

I have a lot positive to say about my new town. It is beautiful here, there is good food, and everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. Indeed, I found that people go out of their way to offer me help with things I am used to handling by myself.

However, the pace is a lot slower, and most people seem very happy and content to live quiet, routine lives. I have no standing to criticize this, but I value constantly being pushed by people I consider my betters, and this seems to be less part of the local culture here.

I am not here to whine; there is a research university here, a weekly alternative newspaper, etc., so this place is far from totally dead. Moreover, I have only been here two weeks and I have yet to try most of the opportunities that I have heard of. That said, I am curious how HN'ers have coped with similar situations, and where they went to meet ambitious, energetic people.

Thank you so much!