My first character already has 150 hours logged and never become a vampire or werewolf. Only once have I caught the disease to become a vamp but died shortly after and never caught the disease again. I'm on my second character now and want to become one but none of the vamps I fought will turn me. Is there an easy way to become one? Maybe a quest or a specific location? Do I just sit still and let the vamps attack me until I catch it?

Pretty much just need to tangle with them long enough for them to infect you. I think Broken Fang Cave is a good location.

Trust me, you dont want to become a vampire. I havnt done it in this game, but it svcked in oblivion, and I hear it hasnt changed much.

But.. if you raly want to, I think you have to get hit by vampires to get inflicted with vampirism. You have a greater/lesser chance depending in your charachters race/ resistances.

What race are you playing? Maybe thats why your having troubles. Bosmers/ aragonians will have a tough time getin it. Every one els, its just plain luck(or unluck).

Yeah, it'll say when you got it. Just let them attack you and heal until you get it. It also depends on your race if you're immune to diseases more than others.

Being a vampire is better than playing as a boring unnaflicted character. Do it.

You know, I just started a new character as a Breton Conjurer/Destruction mage. I wonder if it would make sense to play as either a Werewolf or Vampire? ...thematically speaking of course.

There are various vampire lairs, you can look them up on UESP. However, it makes a lot more sense for thief/assassin types, especially if they use illusion, rather than chunky warrior types if you ask me. (The next character I make will be designed to be played as a crazy vampire the whole game I think.) Just go to a vampire lair, and fight them close up for as long as you can. Eventually you will catch the disease. It will be harder if you have any immunity to disease.