Making friends in Grand Rapids

I've seen more than a few transplants to the Grand Rapids area in this space, and many of them mention having difficulty making friends here. I've always heard that we're friendly around here, but perhaps that doesn't mean that we're easily befriended. I've lived here all my life and my own experience offers no guidance, so I'm asking some genuine questions: What made the area you came from easier to make friends? What ingredient(s) are we missing here? If you've been here for a bit longer, did making friends get easier for you?