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2010: Top 10 Cities for Single Women
By Paula Santonocito
4. Seattle. If the Pacific Northwest beckons, Seattle may be calling.
Although the recession impacted the city’s employment opportunities (unemployment was 9 percent at the time of our analysis), Seattle offers career potential for the long-term. Top industries include technology, which is poised for continued grow this decade, and biotech and medical equipment, two other high-growth fields. Aerospace is also big in this city known for the Space Needle restaurant and observation deck.
The view of Seattle from above and below offers much to behold, from the metropolitan skyline to Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Great Smoky Mountains. As a city, Seattle is both urban and untamed.
This duality is reflected in the city’s culture. Seattle’s history as a timber and gold rush town and as a seaport has always drawn those with a sense of adventure. In the 1980s, the city’s unconventional spirit gave birth to grunge, the rock music movement that arguably defined rebellion for a generation.
Today, Seattle’s music scene still thrives, as do the performing arts. In fact, there’s no shortage of things to do in this city. Seattle’s list of entertainment options includes pro sports teams, art museums, and more.
Outdoor recreation is at the top of the list of things to do in this city, where a healthy lifestyle matters. Hiking and climbing are favorite sports in Seattle—and in fact, even on rainy days you can get your fix. The city is home to the Pinnacle, one of the tallest, freestanding indoor climbing walls in the world, which can be found at outdoor gear, equipment and clothing maker REI’s Yale Avenue location.
Dubbed the Emerald City in the 1980s, Seattle is so named because of the lush evergreen forests in the surrounding area. Today, however, green also applies to the mindset of residents, who take environmental responsibilities seriously. In Seattle, there are many opportunities to participate in group and community activities related to various green and environmental issues.
Seattle is 20 percent less expensive than New York, which allows a single woman to take in the scene, and sock away money for travel. From this city, it’s easy to tour the country—or the world. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac Airport) is approximately 30 minutes from Seattle’s downtown.
In comparison to the top three cities on our list, housing in Seattle is relatively inexpensive, (although other factors, including health care, drive up the overall cost of living), and there are numerous options. Seattle has condos, lofts, and traditional apartments, but there are also many single family homes. In this waterfront city, houseboats and floating homes are also an option. Ahoy, Seattle.
The ratio of women to men is almost equal in Seattle, and approximately 30 percent of the population is single. These factors, combined with career opportunities, a reasonable cost of living, and a lifestyle conducive to health, well-being, and individuality, make Seattle a best city for single women.
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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.