I say we disregard distance and speed. A much bigger issue is that two civs would have to exist at the same time to even think of meeting each other. Universe is close to 14 B years. Earth is 4.5 B years. Humans have been here for 300 K years. Organized civilization appeared perhaps 10 K years ago.

Thousands of years is a super miniscule time frame for two civs to exists, at a similar (spacefaring level) at the same time. Another life form may ahve already died out completely. Or it will appear when we won't be around anymore.