Paging all bachelors: Boston named the best U.S. city for single men
The ratio of single men to single women in Boston, along with the city’s walkability, unemployment rate and outing options helped the Hub score the top spot in a study of the nation’s best places for bachelors.
NerdWallet.com, a finance comparison website, on Monday ranked Boston as the best city because, according to the site, “Dates are a little pricier here, but the low unemployment rates makes it likely you’ll both be able to afford it. There are plenty of date options, including Red Sox games, walking the Freedom Trail and dinner in the North End.”
The notion that men seem to have their pick of single ladies sealed the deal. According to NerdWallet the ratio of single men to single women is 93 to 100.
Here’s a breakdown of why Boston is the proverbial playground for bachelors:
1. The odds are in your favor, boys:
There are more available women than men, which means less competition and higher odds of finding datable single women.
2. It’s apparently easy to meet people here:
The blog calculated the number of bars and gyms per 1,000 residents and looked at the Walk Score. According to NerdWallet, bachelors who live in a city that is packed with shops, restaurants and bars – like Boston – find it easier to meet people.
3. You can afford to date here:
The site also examined the cost of a cheap Boston date, and considered the unemployment rate.
“I do agree with the ratio aspect, and I do hear the frustration in my female clients voices when they say ‘All the good ones are taken,’” said Susan Baxter, founder of Hire A Boston Wing Woman, a professional “ice-breaker” service.
But Baxter takes exception to the site claiming it’s easy to meet people in Boston.
“We’re pretty conservative as far as being outgoing. You can calculate the number of bars, gyms and restaurants, but it doesn’t mean much when Bostonians are anti-social. People here are known for being a little cold,” she said.
A Boston bachelor, who goes by John, said he has been “playing the field” here for about a decade, and as far as he can tell, the city deserves first place.
“It’s small, walkable and there are a lot of nice places indoors and outdoors,” he said. “I think being a guy you have a wider range of single women everywhere you go, and for the most part I find (dating) is pretty affordable.”
No love for bro favorites Las Vegas, Miami and New York City:
1. Boston
2. Baltimore
3. Washington, D.C.
4. Philadelphia
5. Denver
6. Fort Worth
7. Seattle
8. Chicago
9. San Francisco
10 Indianapolis
Breaking down Boston’s Bachelor-favorable stats:
According to NerdWallet.com
- Ratio of single men to single ladies: 93/100
- 1.3 bars and gyms per 1,000 residents
- “Walk score” of 79
- The average cost of a date is $27.79
- The unemployment rate is 7.1%
Follow Morgan Rousseau on Twitter: @MetroMorgan
