When I play a single sim just starting out, I almost always make them self-employed rather than taking on a career. The hours are whatever you want them to be, the pay is actually better after a while, and some of the activities (painting, fishing, sculpting) increase fun, leaving one less need to worry about. That leaves plenty of time for romance and other socializing, and eventually enough of an income to buy what you want.
I also usually have my sim learn the first level of charisma and meet 25 other sims, even if they're not going to actively pursue the skill overall. Knowing 25 sims fulfills a skill challenge and grants a relationship boost to any sim they meet after, so I usually start by introducing my sim to others I don't need them to be friends with. I can usually complete the challenge in one Sunday afternoon, sending my sim back and forth across the plaza that contains the bookstore and grocery store—the game itself will send sims to visit whichever lot your own sim is on, and a few will show up on their own.
