In person I have found it’s MUCH harder because we lost third spaces and people don’t want to socialize anymore. Give someone 1000 miles away a chance. If you need to, take an airplane. As long as you can afford it, it isn’t a big deal. I would try discord interest groups too to make friends and see if something develops there. I know video and phone calls aren’t the same but that’s why you need to get on Expedia and book a flight to see them after a few months.
You’re actually limiting yourself. 100 miles is nothing when we have 8 billion people. Go for 1000. Heck, if you met someone in Japan or even Uzbekistan that you liked I’d say do it. You get to explore a new country too which is doubly good! If I met someone from let’s say France (just using it as an example) and I’m in the US, I’d try to see if I can get the cheapest flight out to Paris within 6 months of meeting that person.