The Top U.S. Cities for Finding Love (According to a Matchmaker)
If you’re single and frustrated, thinking “Where are all the good ones hiding? "you're not alone. As a professional matchmaker who interviews successful singles from coast to coast, I can assure you: they exist, and they’re out there... you just might be looking in the wrong places.
From rooftop happy hours in D.C. to cozy jazz lounges in NYC, the energy is shifting. Whether you're newly single, relocating, or reentering the dating world post-divorce, some cities are just built better for connection.
After recruiting hundreds of incredible men and women across the East Coast and beyond, I’m pulling back the curtain on where love is actually happening, and why.
Where Love is thriving:
📍Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital is brimming with ambitious, high-performing singles and contrary to popular belief, many of them are ready for love now. With over 47% of D.C. adults currently single, the dating pool is deep. But here’s the catch: time is the luxury no one has, so being intentional is everything.
Quick Tip: You’re more likely to meet someone at a panel talk, nonprofit gala, or alumni event than at a bar. Bonus if it’s cause-driven because D.C. loves purpose with its passion.
📍New York City, NY Dating in NYC is a thrill ride! It's fast-paced, endlessly diverse, and full of possibility. It’s a city that doesn’t wait around, which means your approach has to match the energy. But behind the noise, there’s a beautiful truth: more people are hiring matchmakers, working with coaches, and prioritizing real connection than ever before.
Singles here are focused, fashionable, and bold. You don’t play small in the city that never sleeps, especially when it comes to love.
Quick Tip: Want to stand out? Lead with curiosity. The person next to you at the café might be a fashion exec, a poet, or your future plus-one....but only if you speak up.
📍Charlotte, NC This Southern gem is quietly becoming a matchmaking favorite. Charlotte has the perfect blend of hospitality and hustle. Professional singles who are emotionally grounded and genuinely open to building a future. Plus, with major banks, hospitals, and tech hubs rooted here, the dating population is growing fast.
Quick Tip: Hit the social scene, brunch festivals, wine tastings, and rooftop mixers are where Charlotte's singles let their guard down. Keep it casual but confident.
📍Chicago, IL If you’re tired of dating games, Chicago is a breath of fresh (sometimes very cold) air. Singles here are no-nonsense. They value humor, honesty, and shared life goals. The city’s strong sense of community, culture, and loyalty makes it one of the most emotionally available dating markets I’ve worked in.
According to Pew Research, roughly 3 in 10 adults in Chicago are not only single—but actively looking for a committed relationship. And from what I’ve seen, they’re ready to show up.
Quick Tip: Spring and summer are your seasons here. With the street fairs, Cubs games, and lakeside picnics makes it easier for spontaneous chemistry.
📍Philadelphia, PA Philly brings passion, pride, and a deeply rooted dating culture. It’s a little gritty, a lot soulful, and full of singles who want something real. With its booming creative scene and medical and educational institutions pulling in top-tier professionals, it’s a great place for meaningful connections.
Quick Tip: Try the art museum scene, cozy wine bars, or community events. Oh, and in Philly, food is definitely a love language.
Cities influence dating culture. That’s a fact. But you shape your experience within it.
What I see again and again in my work isn’t just geography, it’s energy. The singles who are getting into relationships aren’t the ones swiping the most. They’re the ones doing the inner work, investing in themselves, and putting themselves in spaces where real connection can actually happen.
They’re not waiting for love to knock, they are out there opening doors.
So, whether you're navigating D.C.’s driven dating pool, seeking soulful vibes in Philly, or flirting your way through a summer night in Chicago, love is out there, and it’s still worth believing in.
If you're feeling stuck or ready for a more curated, intentional path to partnership, that’s where I come in. As a certified matchmaker working with incredible singles across the East Coast, I specialize in cutting through the noise and helping you find something (or someone) real.