Religion. You automatically have something in common, and religious people are usually of a high quality because they live for something more than just themselves, as opposed to secular people. Of course, there are terrible, and I mean truly terrible, people in religious communities, and you should identify them and then stay the hell away from them. But the good ones are REALLY good. As an added bonus, you get to grow, and also help build and develop a community that will be all the richer for your involvement. It's a win-win-win (you, them, the world at large). Give it a shot. What you do you have lose? ;)
I second this. Going to "academic catholic community" 6 years ago was one of the best decisions in my life honestly. We formed a group of closed friends there. Now we celebrate together birthdays, Christmas, etc. These are the people who help you when you are lost in the middle of nowhere (also metaphorically). Interestingly, not all of us are "believers" right now but it does not affect our bonds.
Of course, I met some crazy people in that community but with sufficiently large group you can find good guys and bad guys everywhere. You can find religious groups which don't force you to do anything. They may even value a philosophical questioning and discussion.
