donbean - either tbh. DH has two best friends from university, they are always welcome in our house, we try to see them as much as possible.. etc etc. He also has two close friends from school who are semi-local to us (can pop in occassionally) we aren't as close to them but they are friends. He has a lot of 'aquaintances' and friends like that at uni, but only for him to see at uni iyswim.
I moved from the county I grew up in, to australia when I was 12. Had some very good friends here but was excited to move. Changed schools 3 times till I left at 17, made some close friends but would then change schools and lose contact. Had a best friend but found out she was busy trying to nab my boyfriend grrr and as I moved back to the UK shortly after that I lost contact with her too. I feel like I have nothing friend-wise to show for 6 years in another country. I still keep in contact (email wise) with one or two people but it's not close at all.
When I moved back here I got back in contact with my best friend from school, we still see each other (she was a big part at our wedding) but she travels a lot, and tbh we aren't that close any more though we pretend to be. We are very different, she has friends she is closer to, and occassionally proves this (for example, by betraying a confidence of mine to them.)
Then dh and I moved, and I started work and made some friends. Got pregnant and suddenly really didn't fit in as they were all care-free and got drunk every night of the week (not that I wanted to!)
Dh and I have moved twice since, and where we are now we're trying to fit in with local 'young parents' but they are all very clique-y. We have nothing in common (half are chav-benefits-onenight standy type people - sorry to stereotype but I hope someone knows what I mean - and the other half have been together years and just see their close local friends and family, and worry about conservatories and council houses.) we have been trying so hard but dh does not fit in at all with the men, and while I've got to know some of the girls, I couldn't call them friends.
Ironically, I have got closer to the girlfriend of one of dh's best friends, which has been fab and I love her to bits. Only she met my best friend, and now neither of them bother with me, and just go out together as they live local to each other.
I definately don't even fit in on MN! I'm definately not part of a clique and sadly couldn't say I've made any 'friends' even though I love my time on here (and I have a lot of it!)
So... by the start of next year we are probably moving again. DH will have graduated, and is looking for a good job, which won't be around here. He wants to move further up north, so we can afford to buy a house, and hopefully afford to live in an area where we can send ds to a good school. So I guess this will all happen again...