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This is an interesting topic. Personally, I am a mecha fan since the mid-eighties and only the last few years I have seriously started looking at other non-mecha anime.
From my experience mecha anime fans have their own fansites and forums. You can say that there is a major split between mecha and mainstream anime fandom ( or should I say non mecha anime?) with limited overlap.
The question of course is why. Fans don't just watch mecha anime for the mecha, the mecha is a tool to create a different world, to make the impossible possible, a world that is different, more exiting then our own. Similar to the function of magic in fantasy.
In contrast slice of life, high school, romance, etc try to keep the story in a more realistic setting to make it more recognisable. It's essentially the same split as in live action. Sci-fi escapism versus recognisable real life drama/comedy situations. People can easily enjoy both but some are more drawn to one side or the other.
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