Friendships in your early 20s

I hate how difficult it is to make and/or maintain friendships in your early 20s, especially after college. My friends are all over the country so it's hard to meet up. The few around me are working full-time or would rather spend time with their long-term partners. It's not that I'm not busy myself, but I miss being in school where we all had similar priorities and would hang out more. Making friends is also harder now because there is no mutual connection that holds the friendship together (school, community, etc) and work friends aren't the same. I'm rambling, but I didn't see myself ending up like this at this point in my life. I really thought my early 20s would be like a sitcom where I had the perfect group of friends who felt like my platonic soulmates. No one ever tells you how lonely it can be at this time in your life. :(

Feel free to drop some advice, stories, or similar experiences.