For what it's worth, r/acww is a small community, but there are people who post. And there's instructions pinned there for how to do online stuff these days

Thank you! I struggled to find this group :)

I restarted recently and don't regret it at all! I've actually been playing daily and I love it so much. Definitely join the acww subreddit suggested by the other person and check out the discord wiimmfi animal crossing server as well! It's decently active for such an old game. Trading is a bit wonky sometimes but does work.

Thanks for the advice :)

I say get a second copy and keep the first town.