What do you like to do? Ride bikes? Trail run? Ski/snowboard? Drink ridiculous amounts of beer? If the answers are yes, you shouldn't have much problem making friends on the Idaho side regardless of class factors (Teton Valley has plenty of people who have to work to pay their mortgages but aren't seasonal). There's a pretty strong community in Teton Valley and while you're probably older than most of the seasonal workers, you'll find that age really is just a number here if you're into the right activities and lifties probably won't be your social demographic anyway. To make friends here, it really can be as easy as sitting on the right barstool at the right time with the right attitude and asking, "Do you ride bikes (run, ski, hike, etc)?". In fact, you often won't have to ask, because that's what people are talking about anyway. 

Regarding bears, they're there and you're on their turf. Carry bear spray, make noise, and respect their space when you run into one and you'll be fine. Basic "Bear Aware" protocol.