Many of the more vicious and arrogant "expert" posters seem to have given up which is not a bad thing. Fortunately many of the more helpful ones remain.
It takes a bit of creativity to start a thread which creates some interest. Many subjects have been done to death numerous times and if one returns numerous times only to find the same old boring threads one couldn't be bothered.
As to the actual flying. I am one renter who has no intention of giving up anytime soon. Doing something new is important and takes a bit of research and imagination.
It also helps once you get to know the staff at the flying club.