Posted by: Richie Bernardo

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/9015/geochart-singles.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2hyQoz3;  

Best Cities for Singles

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘Dating Economics’ Rank	‘Romance & Fun’ Rank	‘Dating Opportunities’ Rank
148	Yonkers, NY	35.61	147	113	135
149	Hialeah, FL	35.11	129	128	142
150	Brownsville, TX	28.66	44	143	150

Ask the Experts < >

• Theresa E. DiDonato Associate Professor of Psychology at Loyola University Maryland
• Anthony E. Coy Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

Theresa E. DiDonato Associate Professor of Psychology at Loyola University Maryland With the rise of dating apps and therefore dates, what financial advice do you have targeted to singles on a budget? If your goal is to get to know someone and you're on a budget, prioritize dates that allow for conversation, rather than dates that have steep price tags but limited chance for meaningful self-disclosure. By opting for contexts that allow for easy conversation (e.g., going for a walk in the park, meeting for coffee), you're giving yourself an opportunity to get to know your date, rather than spending money on a date that limits conversation (e.g., for a movie). What should singles be looking for when choosing a city? People who are single are more different than they are the same; they vary by age, interests, political leanings, partner preferences, and goals. Naturally, not one city is ideal for all single people. Research consistently shows that people tend to be attracted to similar others, so it makes sense to choose a city that reflects your own values and interests. If you’re an outdoorsy person, your chances of meeting other outdoorsy people are greater in cities well-recognized for their outdoor-orientation (e.g., Boulder; Portland, Oregon), which might attract similar, like-minded people. Likewise, some cities are noted for having a relatively larger percentage of single people. Odds of meeting a match are greater in areas more highly populated by single people. Anthony E. Coy Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee With the rise of dating apps and therefore dates, what financial advice do you have targeted to singles on a budget? If we are looking at financial advice specifically related to dating, assuming you are looking for a long-term partner, it is important to remember that the goal of dating is to get to know the other person. A large financial investment into the first date may get a second, but when it comes to determining long-term compatibility, simply having coffee or going for a walk is likely to be as, or more effective than a fancy dinner. When looking at an online profile, look for those shared activities that both you and your date enjoy, that may not cost much but allow for interaction and conversation. Even if you find out you are not compatible, at least you will have spent the time doing something you enjoy. Walks on the beach (or in the park) make for a great first date and provide opportunities for unscripted interactions and conversations. On our second date, my wife and I went to a bookstore and browsed together while having coffee, which naturally brought up shared interests and opportunities for conversation. In addition to being relatively low-cost, these types of dates also have the added advantage of being easy to end naturally and without the, potentially awkward, requirement of waiting for a check. Alternatively, if you “click,” you can easily extend the date by finding an easy option for a meal or other activity. What should singles be looking for when choosing a city? In addition to job and cost-of-living considerations, choose a city that provides opportunities for you to explore your interests and values. If you do have to move for work, try to find a location in the area that does this while maintaining a reasonable commute (an hour each way doesn’t allow much time for hobbies). Interested in art and history? A museum district may be right for you. Prefer nature? Be sure to live somewhere with parks or opportunities to hike. This will afford you opportunities to make friends with similar interests, which promotes higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction. In addition, this has the added advantage of putting you in proximity of potential romantic partners with similar interests and values, should you decide to find a partner. This will ensure your partner can naturally become a part of your social network and, if the relationship lasts, puts you on the same page in terms of where to live when moving in the future. This is likely to reduce conflict during transitions -- periods that are often associated with high levels of stress and strain on relationships.

Methodology

 

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