Hello Chris,
I faced the same dilemma. The solution for me was to get current on at least three latest-tech gliders and to reserve two batches of time a year for chartering same. So now I'll typically have an unbroken 10-day stretch of gliding in southern europe around july and another session around december in the southern hemisphere.
Getting your soaring-fix 'long-distance' in this manner obviously means that you miss out on the comraderie that exists at some sites, but the wonderful side of doing things this way is that you stay out of the poisonous club-politics. Also, you can charter good kit for reasonable money without having to wait around for your turn, and the chances of having a couple of days of good overland-weather within your 10 days are better than having to chance it on the weekends.
Obviously you'd have to commit to getting your licence sorted out first. Perhaps a solid full-time course at some school? Don't let anybody tell you that you can't charter with a fresh GPL, by the way. To start with, something like a Discus, for example, is up-to-date and yet very forgiving to fly.
Good luck, and please do try soaring, it is sublime
