What are my options for a long-term visa in Thailand without frequent extensions?

US citizen here and I have a few questions about Visas. I want to find the visa right for me, to be stamped into Thailand for the maximum 1 year, without having to go to another country or immigration for extensions.

I'm aware that foreigners who visit on single or multi entry tourist visas, are required to get extensions and the hassle of stamping out of Thailand every 90 days.

Is this only possible with the Thai elite, Non B and Non OA visa only? Let's see, the Non OA visa.. I can only get if I am over 50, married to Thai or have children. I don't fall into this category. So im not eligible for that. That leaves the Visa based on Education or based on working. I don't plan for work, so cancel the Non B visa, so that leaves me with the Visa based on Education. But what bothers me about this is that you only get stamped in for 3 months and you have to go to Immigration and pay for the extension every 3 months, i don't like the idea of that. So what other options are there to be stamped into Thailand for 1 year without going to Immigration office every 3 months? And another question is 1 year the maximum a foreigner can stay in Thailand per stamp? So even if guys are on a Non B or Non OA, are they still forced to stamp out of Thailand every single year? Thanks for clearing this up