Dating is hard. Add to it a global pandemic that has quite literally forced us into extended at-home stays and you've got yourself a pretty tough situation. Website Apartment List decided to look at how hard the situation actually is across American cities by coming up with a map that illustrates the top towns for dating in the midst of a pandemic.
To come up with the results, the site used three metrics: local dating satisfaction, the percentage of singles in any given area and overall satisfaction with outdoor activities in a city (given our general inability to spend time outdoors, of course).
Overall, coastal cities ranked pretty high, likely given their weather, which makes outdoor dating pretty seamless.
Specifically, Austin has come out on top. "The city is the prime spot for pandemic dating, with its ample outdoor opportunities and prolonged summers and temperate winters," reads the study.
Boston follows the Texas city and lands at number two, boasting a pretty high dating satisfaction score. "42.1% of single renters report satisfaction with the metro's dating scene," according to the data.
The very worst city for pandemic dating? Drum roll, please... Jacksonville, Florida. "Although we’d expect the outdoor dating opportunities to be similar to top-ranking Miami, Jacksonville fell in our rankings," reads the site. "Only 14.8% of Jacksonville singles were satisfied with its dating scene."
One thing is clear: the past eight months have not been kind to those looking to find a mate but, hopefully, given recent vaccine-related news, the worst is behind us. Do keep in mind, though, that cuffing season is sure to look slightly different this year.
Below, check out the top 10 list of best cities for pandemic dating:
1. Austin, Texas
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. Virginia Beach, Virginia
4. Miami, Florida
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
6. San Antonio, Texas
7. San Diego, California
8. Houston, Texas
9. Detroit, Michigan
10. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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