I should add that I know many flying schools are functional 'learn to fly then go home' places, especially these days where many flying schools seem to be an extension of the commercial flying world.
Lancashire Aero Club at Barton in the 70s, 80s, and into the 90s was a thriving hub of grass roots aviation. Not only basic flying training, but many home builders, PFA types, aircraft fettling going on, always someone to chat too, to fly with, and an excellent club house. We didn't realise how lucky we were to have all that, together with enthusiastic and highly experienced and capable instructors for tailwheel, aeros etc.
One could, and often did especially if the wx was unsuitable, spend a most enjoyable few hours there without even flying. To have a lovely Chipmunk in the hangar one could wheel out and take flying was a bonus!
A sociable atmosphere can and does (or at least did) exist in power flying as well.
Yes, there were politics and a few pushy unpleasant folk (don't all clubs have them to some extent?) but one could ignore that, as most of us did. It was our playground - aviator's heaven. I loved it. Very sad it ain't like that now.