It's been a very long time since I did that...
The last time I did that, I got robbed at gunpoint, so I'm quite skeptical about it now.
I think I keep it within the realms of localization now, partially for that reason.
The other part of why I keep it localized is for budgeting and for, truthfully? just keeping myself mentally grounded to reality.
I'm not at all opposed to meeting someone in person that I've met online, I'm just not going to fly myself out to do so, not unless there's like a rare concert from a band from Europe or somewhere else that I want to see who's doing a one-off in America.
The only trouble though, is that I'm from a small town, and the people you meet online here "are also the same people you meet in Wal-Mart," a quote directly from a former sheriff my ex used to babysit for. Said sheriff was going an hour away for a night out and we asked her why she didn't just go to a bar locally, and that's what she said.