6 Best Cities For Dating & Finding Your Soulmate
by John Santana
Cities are exciting. They offer great employment opportunities, endless attractions, cultural activities, gastronomy, nightlife, and shopping.
But there is another quality that makes cities desirable destinations; they’re a great place to find companionship and form intimate, meaningful relationships.
In fact, it is because the opportunities for dating in metropolises are so expansive that they’re so appealing to singles. Many people even relocate from the suburbs and rural areas and settle in urban regions.
The dating spectrum varies widely in cities, from those who are interested in casual hookups to those who are seeking long-term relationships or marriage.
No matter which category you fall into, and whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’ve recently ended a relationship, moving to or visiting certain cities can increase your chances of dating success.
So, which cities are the best for dating? After much careful deliberation and conducting in-depth research, we’ve narrowed down the options for the top cities for dating.
Keep on reading to discover our findings.
Our Shortlist: Best Cities for Dating
Best For Singles: Atlanta, Georgia
Many affectionately refer to Atlanta as “Hotlanta,” and for a good reason: the dating scene here is hot, hot, hot! In fact, Apartment List and WalletHub both selected the Peach State’s biggest city as the #1 city for singles in the United States.
Atlanta is an affordable place to live, and it offers an eclectic mix of things to do; plus, many industries are booming here, and there are ample employment opportunities. As such, singles are moving to Atlanta (or are settling along its outskirts) in droves.
There are plenty of ways that you can mix and mingle with singles in the city of Atlanta. Live music, sporting events, restaurants galore, and bars are just some things to enjoy in Atlanta.
There are also tons of recreational activities, such as playing Frisbee in Piedmont Park, hiking and canoeing in the endless acres of wilderness areas, and learning about aquatic life at the Georgia Aquarium.
With so many things to do – and things that suit such a wide range of interests – there are many opportunities to meet singles. Not only that but there are literally dozens of activities to enjoy that would be great for a date.
While there’s no denying that Atlanta has a vibrant dating scene, it might not be for everyone. Compared to many other urban centers, it’s quite small, which could limit the dating pool; in fact, many have said they often end up running into people they have dated in the past on several occasions.
Pros:
- Plenty of singles abound in Atlanta
- There are ample things to do and places to meet singles
- It’s affordable
Cons:
- Atlanta is pretty small compared to other cities, which might limit the dating pool or can increase your chances of running into people you have dated in the past.
Best For Dating Techies: Seattle
The gem of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle offers ample activities for nature enthusiasts, yet it’s also one of the biggest tech centers in the world.
With such varied features and attractions, there’s a good chance that singles will be able to find about as many dating prospects as they can find for sale on the world’s biggest online retailer: Amazon (which just so happens to be based in Seattle).
There are lots of places to meet singles in Seattle, such as at one of the endless live music events or even at work (there are tons of employment opportunities here). There are also plenty of things to do that would make fun and memorable dating activities.
Go to the top of the Space Needle and take in the breathtaking views of the city, take a ferry across the Puget Sound, go for a sightseeing drive and then hike your way to Snoqualmie Falls, or if you enjoy fresh seafood, hit up the Pike Place Market to grab the latest catch and then prepare a home-cooked meal with your date.
It is important to note that the cost of living in Seattle is high, which can be a concern; however, it’s also important to note that salaries in the city tend to be higher, which can offset the higher costs.
According to data from the most recent census, the median household income in Seattle was an impressive $93,500, which is markedly higher than $62,000, which is the average national household income.
Pros:
- Ample activities to enjoy, from live music and museums to natural attractions
- There are ample job opportunities
- The average income is markedly higher in Seattle than the national average
Cons:
- The cost of living is high
Best For Young Professionals: Denver
Known as the “Mile High City,” Denver, Colorado, is bursting with young professional singles. This, combined with the fact that there are so many entertaining and unique things to do here, makes it a great city for dating.
Sports are huge in Denver. There are many teams here, including:
- Pro basketball
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Football
- And even lacrosse
Catching a live game at the hockey arena, the ballpark, or the football stadium would definitely make for a fun, interactive, and memorable date night (or afternoon or morning) – even if sports aren’t necessarily your “thing .”Check out one of the Prohibition-style speakeasies, which abound in Denver, and chat while sipping on adult libations after the game.
Of course, Denver is also home to some incredible winter sports, such as:
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snow tubing
Hitting the slopes at one of the many resorts would make for a great date, and then when you’re finished, grab a bit to eat and some hot chocolate at the resort lodge. There are lots of nature activities to enjoy in Denver, too, including hiking, biking, mountain climbing, and more.
On top of all of that, Denver is also famous for its laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. People here are very friendly, always greet you with a hello, and are more than eager to spark up a conversation.
Needless to say, with so many varied things to do and such a welcoming atmosphere, there are ample opportunities to meet singles and to get to know members of the opposite sex in Denver.
Pros
- A varied array of activities to enjoy
- A large population of young singles
- A laidback atmosphere and friendly people
Cons
- Denver is expensive, and just grabbing a bit to eat can cost you a pretty penny.
Best For Dating Cowboys: Austin
With a slogan like “Keep Austin Weird,” one can only imagine what the dating scene is like in Austin. The capital of Texas, the amount and variety of activities in this city are just as you’d expect: BIG!
There are tons of unique date ideas. You could pull on your cowboy (or cowgirl) boots and hit the iconic Broken Spoke dance hall to do some boot scootin’ – or any of the other live music venues (Austin is said to be the live music capital of the world).
You could practice your put at one of the many mini golf courses the city has to offer (the Peter Pan course is one of the most popular in the city, as it offers a magical air of nostalgia).
If you’re looking for something carefree to do on a date, taking a stroll down South Congress Avenue, just south of the Texas State Capital, surely won’t disappoint, as there are dozens of restaurants, shops, and cultural venues situated here.
If nature is more your speed, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy some wonderful activities. Austin is located in the Texas Hill Country, so there are ample opportunities for nature exploration. The area is also famous for its natural springs, many of which allow tubing.
Austin was ranked the #1 city for singles by US News due to its low cost, ample employment opportunities, and the density of young professional singles. In recent years, numerous tech companies have relocated to Austin from the pricy locations they used to be based at, such as New York and San Francisco.
In fact, this transition has resulted in an influx in the population, as it’s grown by more than 10 percent in just five years, which is really quite impressive. That said, many have said that people in Austin tend to get bored easily, so starting a relationship might be a challenge.
Pros
- Low cost of living and affordability
- A vibrant and eclectic culture
- Tons of activities to enjoy, ranging from live music, dancing, dining, museums, outdoor recreation, and more
- A large population of young singles
- A booming economy
Cons
- Despite all of the pros, it does seem that both men and women tend to get bored rather quickly in Austin, for whatever reason, which might hinder your chances of finding a long-term relationship (if that’s what you’re looking for).
Most Welcoming: Portland
Portland is the second city in the Pacific Northwest to make our list of the best cities for dating. Located in Oregon, Portland is known for its community of young, open-minded hipsters. The people here are very welcoming and friendly, which certainly helps to make finding other singles a lot easier.
On top of that, dating in the city of Portland is just plain fun. It seems that Portland took some tips from Austin, as the people here like to keep dating weird. There are so many unique and eclectic events to partake in here, which is part of the reason why locals like to keep the dating experience weird.
The Portland Oddities and Curiosities Expo, which is held each year, would make a fantastically memorable activity to enjoy on a date. The Giant Pumpkin Regatta, which is held every October, and involves racing boats that are made out of oversized hollowed-out pumpkins, is another unique idea to partake in with a date.
The Portland Adult Soapbox Derby is yet another unique annual activity that would be great for couples who are dating. You could work together to construct the handmade, non-motorized car the race requires, and then enter the race and test out your handiwork together.
If you prefer more relaxed, nature-based activities, there’s always the stunningly beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery to immerse yourself in. You could go for a bike ride, hit the trails and hike, or try your hand at SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) on one of the many lakes.
In addition to the weird activities, the people in Portland might be a bit on the weird side, too. In fact, it’s been said that Portland is a mecca for peculiar people. While that can certainly be a good thing, if you’re conservative and you’re looking for a long-term relationship with someone who holds the same values, finding someone in Portland might be a challenge.
Pros
- A vibrantly unique dating scene
- Tons of one-of-a-kind activities to enjoy
- The great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest offers tons of memorable nature-inspired date ideas
- A welcoming atmosphere
Cons
- Some find the “weird” dating scene in Portland appealing; however, many might not. If you’re conservative and have more traditional values, and you’re looking for a long-term relationship with someone who shares common interests and values, that might be hard to do in Portland.
Our Favorite Dating City: Madison
Wisconsin isn’t exactly the first place most people think of when they envision urban settings, but believe it or not, it’s actually home to one of the best cities for dating: Madison. The capital of the state of Wisconsin and home to the main campus of the University of Wisconsin, Madison is a great place for singles and dating.
A lot of University of Wisconsin graduates decide to stay in Madison. This means that there are a lot of young professionals in the city who also happen to be singles. As such, it’s easy to see why Madison was named the second-best city for dating by WalletHub, and why it was named the #2 city for singles by Apartment List.
The college isn’t the only reason why there’s such a large population of young singles in Madison; it’s also very affordable, and there are tons of things to do.
Breweries abound in Madison, which would make for an interesting and memorable date activity. It’s a big football town, so tailgating and taking in a game would also make for a great date.
There are also ample restaurants and bars in the city, which adds to the list of things to do. Do be aware, however, that Madison is known to have a picky dating community.
Pros
- A large population of young, professional singles
- Tons of things to do
- Affordability
Cons
- The dating scene can be picky
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