For me this has worked fine, I have found two new friends and got talking to a lot of interesting people on forums and mails. I learn something new almost every day - like now of music as I discovered the Ears thread
Keep an open mind and an open heart and go with the flow.
I moved on my own to Ireland over 4 years ago, I didn't know a single soul here. (Got a job offer I couldn't resist) It was tougher than I realized to start over in another country, naively I thought all European countries would function about the same way. Certain arrangements required for normal life are made fairly complicated here to start with, for example opening a bank account Relocating close to somebody I love would not be such a big issue at all after that, I could even move to another continent. (The dating period would be a bit difficult in that case though ) But I would need to know him inside out and trust 100 % to do so.
However, relocating is always an own decision. If things go pear shaped, the other part can't be held responsible for the relocation and shouldn't feel guilty.
It wasn't a date and absolutely not a romantic visit, but I travelled to Australia to stay with a friend of mine who I "only" knew through Internet. Mind you, we had mailed, chatted and cammed a lot and a long time so I definitely knew him well. What I didn't guess was that we were fighting like a cat and dog a lot and part of the four weeks stay was hellish, part really nice. We both had private issues that came to the surface.
Luckily the friendship was only mildly bruised and is totally healed, now he has started asking me over again saying he has recovered from my visit. It took him only 5 years
From Australia I went to New Zealand and spent lovely 10 days travelling around the North Island with another Internet friend and his wife.
So, if you feel that you know the person well enough, just go for it! Life is for living and learning.
RE: May I present ladies & gentleman...
Thank you for your kind words
Any port in a storm.
When I drove off I was heading to Belgium to stay with a good friend's family and keep on applying for jobs anywhere in Europe
On the way I got the call of the job in Ireland and the rest is history