Dover is a good home base. You’re 30 minutes from the Seacoast (Portsmouth and Hampton). You’re an ~hour from the mountains. ~1 hour from Portland and ~1.5 hours from Boston.

Dover itself has a younger culture due to UNH (Durham). This will give you a few bars to choose from. Most people are friendly and you’ll find many from out of state in the same boat as you.

For meeting people… you kinda just have to put yourself out there and initiate it yourself, but don’t be overwhelming as it will turn many people off (stereotypes).