Ask HN: How to network/connect with fellow devs?

I have been a dev for around 10 years, recently left my job, and now I am on a break for a year or so, just to focus on learning/building things that I always wanted to. I’ve been going at it for a few months; however, it does get a bit lonely.

Prior to COVID, I had a strong network of friends/developers. However, after COVID I moved back home, and all of my previous developer friends have also moved on.

I am no longer in London, and I’ve primarily been working from home for the last 5+ years, but as a result, I essentially have no network. I have never attended conferences, but I’ve been thinking that perhaps the best way to network/connect is to attend some. Next year, I have set aside a budget for 2–3 international conferences (since I will be financing myself) and a visit to San Francisco (I have always wanted to see the US startup culture).

For the first 5 years of my career, I grew a lot as a developer, and it was partly because of the strong network I had.

Anybody else in the same boat? Any advice on a (budget)-friendly way to connect and grow a network?