I had a solo town until I found this website. Never again xD
I've never played any other way to be honest. I don't know anyone who plays AC:NL and my 3ds is old and doesn't like connecting to the internet, so I've never visited anyone or had anyone visit me outside of dream towns. It is totally possible to do all the same stuff, it just takes a lost longer. I have no clue how complete my town is or anything like that, but I'm happy with it. *shrugs* I guess you can't miss what you've never had.