I love hearing people talk about their lives and what they are figuring out. I live in the South now, and I already talk way too much in spirals even for the East Coast, so I have to drop a real anchor or else I may miss some important things that people slowly give away as they talk here.
In moving to a new place or having fewer friends I get really overwhelmed without noticing it when my head and all my thoughts are the only strings of questioning that go past pleasantries and small talk. This is the main danger I believe of going somewhere where you only really know yourself well, and most others are the upmost form of stranger. I never really need to unload my thoughts as much as I'd just like to hear about the inside life of someone else, thats company. Going to NA/AA meetings is one of the best ways to spend time listening to others, I also go to a Buddhist meditation group and Church where I can listen and sit next to people, and the best part is you can never be part of the pass/fail system of a relationship with these groups! A very literal "meeting," you show up, listen, and get to know someone for a moment, but you never have to answer anyone! You just be with people, and after you fold up the chairs and go on! I think that listening with nothing before or after is awesome.