I can offer my opinion on this being that I recently met up with someone here. I stayed with them and their housemates for the weekend and I loved it. I made some really cool new friends. This is just my experiences on the subject.
But onto the first meeting. We both met in guy mode because it wasn't a good idea for either of us to be out en femme at the time. Anyway, once we got back I got changed and spent the remainder of my time there dressed until it was time to leave. We had a chat about problems only us CDers face and also spoke about clothes and wigs. But we also chatted about things we like, TV shows, games, expo etc. We had got to know eachother on here first so we did get on quite well before we met. I've found as nice as it is having people to talk to through chat or messages nothing beats meeting a fellow CDer in person. You can share stories properly and even help one another with makeup tips etc. I was nervous at first because I would be dressed in front of others but I'm always like that the first time.
Now mine was a friendly meeting. Very social. It was a risk as some people aren't what they say when online. Sometimes people are looking for hookups etc. It's an obvious statement but be sure of what you want beforehand. Just be cautious and if you only want to meet new friends then don't do anything you're not comfortable with. I know, it sounds really silly me saying that. But it's just they way it is and I think you probably know that already.
Although I'm not part of any groups I have heard many of them mentioned here and I think that is a good way to go. You'll meet lots of likeminded people in a safe place where you would be welcomed more so than some other places.
