The majority of the women I met through online dating sites (primarily Match.com) were nice ladies who were looking for a decent guy that they had some common values and goals. Yes there were a couple of nut cases but those were few and far between. Plus, Match.com allows you to put filters as to exactly what you are looking for in someone, i.e. age, height, political preference, etc.
The nice thing about local dating sites is that you can meet for a relatively inexpensive cup of coffee or evening drink with a potential match to see if you are interested enough in each other to pursue additional dates. The overseas thing seems dicey and potentially filled with people who are on them for the wrong reasons. But to each his or her own.
I agree with Théoden, you don't sound like you are any where close to being in a place where you can objectively date.
