How should I go about finding friends that I will be happy with?

I've had a rough history when it comes to finding friends that are actually a good addition to my life. It could be that I've just lived in bad neighborhoods (actually that's exactly what it is), but now I've become hesitant about making new friends because I do not want to relive all of my past experiences because I've worked so hard to untangle myself from my past and the kind of "friendships" that I've had. Over the past couple years I've stayed very focused on my vocational goals and that has kept me filled with a sense of security. But now I'm feeling the need to make new friends and I don't know where to even begin. It's weird because it seemed so easy when I was a kid but now it's like where should I go to make new friends? I am not attending college like everyone else but I am a well-composed guy with goals and potential. I've just kept myself away from the "scene" because I couldn't let myself go down the wrong path again. It's kind of like I wish I had a friend application that I could have people fill out to know that I'm making the right choices. What should I do?