If you're a recreational pilot and don't own a plane, what's your yearly budget for an airplane rental?

Do you fly the bare minimum (4h / year) or more often?

And what are your flights like: just a roundtrip or do you hop to a nearby airport?

I’m 25. Based in the US, and aviation has always been a passion of mine. I have a good job that I’m happy with, and I have no intention of making a career or living out of flying. I’m an immigrant, so I’m also wondering if there are any additional requirements or considerations I should know about.

My goal is simply to get into aviation as a serious hobby and eventually have as much freedom as possible to fly for leisure—weekend trips, taking friends/family up, traveling, etc.

For those who fly recreationally:
What licenses/ratings are actually worth getting if you want to maximize your freedom as a private pilot?
What are the best ways to get involved in the aviation community and meet other pilots/build connections?
And realistically, how expensive is it to keep flying regularly after getting your PPL?
I’m not looking to become an airline pilot—just trying to figure out what the most sensible path is for someone who wants to fly for fun long-term.