Just in case you didn’t see it, you can make a new community now.

https://sh.itjust.works/comment/800056

I just wanna say I loved reading this straightforward, simple banter of communication. A question was asked, the question was answered, the asker said thank you, the answerer said you’re welcome. It’s been so long that I forgot what normal felt like. I hope Lemmy stays like this forever.

Thanks for asking this! I was also looking to create a community and thought I was going nuts not seeing any kind of create community button, but also not seeing any rules against regular users making communities.