Dating in a New City: The Ultimate Guide

So, you’ve moved to a new place and want to meet people. Dating in a new city is quite the experience because you have a much wider pool of potential romantic interests than in your hometown.

If you moved to a large city, meeting people is easier than ever, but it might seem difficult because of the sheer volume of people who live around you. Try these techniques the next time you want to go out on a first date.

How to Date People in a New City

You have a good number of options when moving to a new city. You can try dating apps, local events or just keep an eye out on your daily errands. Whatever your approach, it’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to experience new things.

Here’s a closer look.

1. Dating Apps

In the UK, around 15% of young people under 25 meet their partners online or on a dating app. Since you can meet people from the comfort of your couch, finding potential dates is easier than ever. Look into a dating app if you prefer the ease of finding someone online.

2. At Local Events

Meeting other people in your city is easy when you attend community events. Get online and check out what’s happening in your area. You may notice that certain events are geared toward people your age. That’s an excellent way to meet new people, whether they become friends or romantic interests. Plus, you get to have fun while getting to know your new city.

3. On Daily Errands

Who says that meet-cutes are relics of the past? Every time you leave your home, you have the opportunity to run into someone who could change your life. Get out of your comfort zone and be social. Talk to the people around you if they look like they’d be open to conversation. 

Things to Consider on First Dates

When dating in a new city, regular dating rules apply. These considerations assume that you’re the one who asked your date out and are planning the date. It’s a lot of responsibility, but once you know what you should be planning, you’ll find that your date is worth the effort and do your best to plan for them.

1. Location

Choosing the location of your first date is the most important step, as it determines every part of the date afterward. Dinner dates are the most likely first dates to lead to marriage, as determined by a small sample size. Not that you should be thinking of marrying your date right away, but it’s a practiced method that pays off. Dinner allows you to get to know your date on a deeper level. You can focus on your partner rather than an activity, which may lead to knowing whether they are “the one” faster.

Pay attention to the weather. If it’s summertime, then an outdoor date is perfect, but if it’s cold, opt for something indoors. If you and your date are both active people, you might suggest hiking on an easy trail that won’t leave you too breathless to talk to each other.

2. Food

Society tends to emphasize gathering around food, so it makes sense that your date will have some food element in it. If you plan to go to a restaurant, research it beforehand. Get to know its menu. See how it fits in with what your date likes. 

If you want to feel over-prepared, try eating at the restaurant a few days before your date — especially if you’re a picky eater, so you can get an idea of the dishes you like. You should also speak with your date beforehand to know what kind of food they like to eat. That way, you can choose a restaurant that you both enjoy.

3. Length

Not every date has a set end time. If you’re worried about overstaying your time with your date, consider choosing a date with a set end time. One example might be going to dinner and seeing a movie. The movie has a set beginning time, so you know when to plan dinner and when to finish eating. 

Similarly, the movie has a set end time, so you and your date can part ways afterward. This plan works exceptionally well if you’re nervous about your date and have to work up the courage to meet someone.

4. Clothing

You want to wear something that fits the location, but you also want to be comfortable. There’s a thin line between comfortability and dressing to impress. Once you find a few clothing items that look suitable for first dates and can fit almost any location, you’ll have a wardrobe you can experiment with. If you don’t have the right clothes, go shopping for some closet basics.

5. Who Pays

Figuring out who pays is a tricky subject for a first date. Many people believe the best idea is to go 50/50 on the check, with each person paying for themselves, so no one feels like they owe the other anything. Of course, you can offer to pay for your date if you want as a gesture of goodwill. Just make sure you’re prepared to actually pay if your date agrees to let you.

You’ll Be Dating in a New City With Confidence

It takes confidence to put yourself out there. When dating in a new city, you don’t need to feel intimidated. Keep your chin up. Anyone you’re going out on a date with wants to know more about you and who you are. Simply be yourself and plan the date to the best of your ability. Your evening will fall into place, and you’ll have a great time. You might even get to plan a second date.