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2010: Top 10 Cities for Single Women
By Paula Santonocito
10. Austin. Rounding out the Top Ten is another Texas city with a lot to offer single women: Austin.
Like several other cities on our list, Austin has an unemployment rate far below the national average. This is largely because three of the city’s top industries, high tech, pharmaceutical, and bio tech, are growth industries. And all three will hold even more promise as the economy recovers.
The cost of living in Austin is extremely reasonable compared to other cities, and it’s 47 percent below the cost of living in New York.
There are a variety of housing options in Austin, whether you choose to rent or own. In this city, as in Dallas, your dollars will go a long way. In fact, if you’re relocating from a more expensive metropolis, you’ll likely be amazed at what you can afford.
When it comes to entertainment, there’s plenty to do in Austin, particularly if you enjoy live music. Austin lays claim to 200 live music venues. Blues and country are predominant, but classical music is also popular.
Austin is the only city on our list without a pro sports team, and the largest city in the U.S. without a pro team. Sports fans may find this disappointing, although it’s worth noting that the University of Texas does have a championship-winning football team.
The University of Texas and other universities and colleges are sources of education, naturally, but they also offer social opportunities. This is particularly noteworthy in Austin, where the population skews a little bit younger than the other cities on our list.
The median age of residents in other SMW Top Cities for Single Women all fall in the 30s; in Austin, the median age is just over 29. It’s not a dramatic difference, but the median age of the population in Austin is, for example, younger by five years or more in comparison to Washington, D.C., New York, Seattle, and Pittsburgh.
Nevertheless, Austin claims the largest single population of cities on our list: Approximately 35 percent of the population is single. It also happens that there are slightly more men than women in this city.
Take a great singles scene, throw in lots of live music, add affordable housing and job opportunities, and you have the No. 10 city on our list, Austin.
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Great article, well thought out! I packed my bags and I’m moving to Boston!
I live in Dallas. Even though there are almost 20,000 more males in this city than females, this figure is a bit deceptive. There is a high number of gay males, as well as immigrant workers, who skew the numbers. All of the places on the list appear to be big cities that probably have similar types of populations. If you’re just looking for a great place to party then it is great. If you’re looking for a boyfriend or husband, you will be disappointed.
Thanks for your feedback. Singles population is only one factor we considered in evaluating top cities. As noted, employment opportunities carried more weight, as did cost of living.
I absolutely agree with your post. I’ve lived here for nearly 3 years now and you are so right about the deceptive numbers. Fun place to do things and party, but boyfriend and husband are few and far between. My single friends have told me stories that have made me think twice about staying here. Once my contract is up in 17 months, I’m outta here.
After readinging this article, I had to comment on your section of Washington, DC. I agree with all of the activites and employment opportunties, etc that the area has to offer. But I would have to disagree that “there are slightly more women than men in Washington, D.C., but approximately 33% of the population is single.” Slightly is an understatement! There are MUCH more women than men, about 7-8 women more than men. Considering the population’s ethnic background, dating preferences and sexualty, these stats vary. Many social organizations, meetups, and clubs host social and cultural events, including dating events that always are in need of more men. And due to there be more men than women, many of them want to continue to be single and enjoy the many single women in the area instead of settling down to have a family. I invite you to take a video camera to the streets of DC and interview the women and see what kind of feedback you get contradictory to your stats.
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I live in Seattle. I have seen my lovely city on several “Top 10″ lists for dating or for singles. If you want to STAY single, then this is an amazing place to come to. There are so many fun things to do here, places to go, and experiences to be had. However, this is one of the worst places to find a mate. Below I list four phenomena that I and my other single friends (both male & female) have observed time and time again regarding the dating scene:
(1) Men & women do not make eye contact, on the street, in a coffee shop, and sometimes even in bars.
(2) Men do not approach women very often here. If they do, they are definitely not from Seattle. (there are reasons for this, and it is not all they guy’s fault! women can be a tough crowd for guys out here)
(3) Often, Men do not treat women with respect.
(4) The communication style here in town is called “northwest nice” or in plain speak: passive-aggressive.
If you are happy being single and staying that way this city is paradise. There are lots of smart, driven people here who have an amazing diversity of interests mixed in with a nice dose of being laid-back. Museums, art galleries, outdoorsy & sports activities, the symphony, the opera, boutique shops, music scene and too many cool coffee houses to count are all here. It is good living here. However, be warned on the dating front. You can have an excellent life if you are okay to not change your relationship status while you are here.
thanks for this post paulina01123. As a Seattle native born and raised, I couldn’t agree with you more. It was the driving factor in my relocation. Great place for family, lousy place for being single, especially and 30+ year old woman.
In reply to our single friends in Seattle, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., please keep in mind that dating was only one aspect of our criteria for best cities selection. Employment opportunities and cost of living carried more weight. Access to travel and entertainment options were also factors.
Hi Paula,
Thanks for the article, but it’s a bit frustrating how you keep pointing out that dating is only one of the factors. I’m a single woman in NYC and am sick and tired of the dating scene here. I was just googling a better place to go on vacation or even to live, and came across your article. Frankly I was just looking for pure statistics, but that information is hard to come by. This article seemed perfect. And yet I was shocked to find New York on it! With a title like ‘Top 10 cities for single women’ this article should have really focused on the dating scene and the male to female ratio, not jobs! Jobs are much easier to locate. We don’t need an article for that. Just go on a job board. With dating it’s not so simple.
But anyway, from what I’ve figured out so far, based on other research, is that the East coast generally sucks for single women. There are very few single men, and the ones that remain become assholes as a function of their being in high demand.
“based on other research, is that the East coast generally sucks for single women. There are very few single men, and the ones that remain become assholes as a function of their being in high demand.”
I definitely agree with Jules638. I plan on leaving the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area and will relocate west of the Rockies. I’m particularly interested in mid-sized cities. I am tired of dealing with the big city male imbalance advantage.”
Hey ladies – check out the 2011 Top 10 Cities for Single Women: http://singlemindedwomen.com/money-tips/2011-top-10-cities-for-single-women/
Right, New York is number one – for men! I love it how everything is always by default from the male perspective, unless otherwise noted.