Dec. 15--Can't find a date for your festive holiday engagements in our fair city?
It could be worse. You could live in Yonkers, N.Y.
(Or you could be stuck in a loveless relationship with a passive-aggressive narcissist. Just sayin'. Single isn't the worst thing to be.)
But single at the holidays can be tough, and Chicago is the nation's 18th worst city for singles this time of year, according to a new study by WalletHub, the personal finance site that ranks cities for such things as pet-friendliness and ability to throw a rockin' New Year's Eve party.
For singles during the holidays, Yonkers is the worst place to be. Salt Lake City is the best.
WalletHub arrived at these designations by analyzing 25 key metrics -- percentage of singles, number of online dating opportunities, average price of a drink, etc. -- in the 150 most populated U.S. cities.
Chicago ranked 133rd, mostly because of what it costs to go on dates here. Researchers factored in the price of movies, meals and taxis, but also fitness club fees, salon prices, rent and other costs of living. In a nutshell, we have a lot of fun places to woo our potential partners, but we lack the funds to spring for them. Romantic!
Still, I'm not totally buying that life in Salt Lake City -- or Orlando (second best city on the list) -- is that much better for singles.
I called Smart Dating Academy founder Bela Gandhi, my favorite matchmaker, to get her pointers for finding love during the holidays, whether you live in Tempe, Ariz. (No. 3) or Oxnard, Calif. (No. 143).
"Say yes to every invitation," Gandhi told me. "All year long, singles complain about online dating and apps and digital communication, and here is the highest concentration of parties, events, fundraisers to go to, and we roll our eyes about being too busy. Say yes to everything, because it's not going to be like this in January."
And prepare to chat up your fellow revelers when you arrive.
"Have a goal for yourself. 'I'm going to talk to five to 10 new people tonight,'" Gandhi suggests. "Have jump-starter questions in your back pocket. 'Are you friends with the hosts?' Serve the ball over the net. Being prepared gives you confidence to walk into events by yourself."
What if you're not invited to a bunch of events? What if your December mostly consists of binge-watching "Jane The Virgin?"
"Get yourself online," Gandhi says. "Online membership starts to spike now through Feb. 15 for two reasons: People don't want to be single at the holidays, and New Year's resolutions."
Jan. 3, she says, is the busiest online dating day of the year.
"Holiday hangovers are over," she says. "The music has stopped. You're home alone thinking, 'What should I do?' Fire up your profile."
And if your schedule is still feeling a little light -- or even if it isn't -- find some time to volunteer.
"Getting out and giving back is so important," Gandhi says. "There are so many people less fortunate, and when you help out, it just feels good."
Which makes you happy. Which makes you approachable. Which means you just might meet the love of your life stacking canned goods at the food pantry.
Regardless of your city.
hstevens@tribpub.com
