When I was just out there meeting people more or less randomly, I encountered all sorts of situations, none of them ideal -- also few and far between. When I made my first connections on a m/m dating site for bears, I was having better luck, but still, the whole geographically remote thing was being a problem. And then I joined a m/m tickle fetish site, and I met my current bf within a couple days.
I was motivated and he was motivated, and we were states away from each other, so we got to know each other before we were able to meet in person, but when we finally did, it was like meeting my best friend. He moved in and I've never looked back. The tickling is incredible (and not so small a % as suggested, actually -- in terms of the waking hours we spend together, he tickles me a lot) and compared to the women I'd dated (one of whom didn't like to be touched, let alone tickled -- and none of them ever tickled me), this is hands-down the most satisfying relationship I've ever had in my life, both physically and emotionally.
So, I guess what I'm saying is ... iViva la Tickle Sites! 😀