As previously stated I may or may not be moving to Thailand in January to work, live, get it on with with girlfriend.
I definitely don't intend spending each and every day with her. Far from that. A good balance of foreign mateys and time with her seems the way (and a bit of down time, alone with a book/pc/work).
In China I made a few mates through my work at the uni, but skipped on the freaks (plenty of them), met a few at pubs, clubs etc.
Most were build up, over time, through mutual acquaintances.
Where I'm at (and leaving in a couple of months) we have the sailing/paddleboarding/kayaking/ beach volleyball club, where I've met plenty of people over time (and a sprinkling of fruitloops too).
I'd be living in Bangers, so no club as above I guess.
Where'd you meet you 'long-term' mates?