SR seems pretty much the same as f2f to me...but then i treat it that way and i think that makes a difference.
If i reach out and develope relatinships here they are just as real and helpful as f2f.
one of the up sides for me of SR has been that i am able somehow to be more real here than i can be in person. I seem to find me here, and then it spreads into my face to face interactions after alot of practice here
The biggest down side for me with SR is that I cant really hug my friends when they are in pain or exited and just need one
Over all SR is pretty much like the real world..you get out of it what you put into it.