Coming out of my shell more.

So, I'm a fairly introverted person. I find this fine, but it doesn't mean I need to be completely socially inept. I'm extremely neurodivergent so social skills don't come to me easily. I don't have many in person friends, as after high school a lot of us went our separate ways. I made online friends which I've managed to keep. But I want to try and meet new people in the "real world" Whenever I try I always relegate to to,"I live in a small town, I'll work on it when I finish my degree and move away" Which I know is simply an excuse. What are some ways to come out of my shell and try meeting new people? It's quite tough as well because I recently started hrt and feeling comfortable in my own skin is tough, especially when being in public.