How many times have you been on a first date and found yourself unimpressed by the end of it? Maybe you’ve stopped going on dates because the outcome is just so disappointing, or nothing ever comes out of it?
Well, you’re definitely not alone in Kansas City, which recently ranked as the worst city for dating and our sister city Wichita was right behind them. They were recently ranked as the two worst places for dating in America
The study, conducted bySperling’s BestPlaces is based on criteria including the percentage of singles 18 to 24, population density and dating venues per capita such as bowling alleys, bars and coffee shops. The study includes 80 metro areas across the country, with the top city earning the name the “Dating Capital” of the US.
Kansas City ranked last, with Austin, TX, Colorado Springs, CO and San Diego, CA ranking the best.
Factors that led to Kansas City’s low score was the low percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds, which was 8.6% and its low venue index. It also ranked on the low end for expenditures on flowers, jewelry and other gifts.
Those that ranked the highest had a high amount of online daters, largest number of coffee shops and a high amount of lingerie shops per capita.
“We’ve received feedback from some of the lowest ranking cities, and it appears our findings are on-track,” noted Sperling. “In these cities, there are relatively few young singles and the towns are so spread out, it can be difficult for them to find each other. Some are using this study as a call to action to provide places where people can hang out and get together.”
We’re asking singles in Kansas City and Wichita about their experiences. Fill out this survey to have your experience included: https://bit.ly/3xQIPbL.
We asked some young single people in Kansas City about their dating experiences to see if they agree with the results of this study:
Geneva O. AKA Mizno Meals, 38 and co-host of 2 Broke H.O.E.Z
The Voice: KC is ranked worst for dating. Is that your experience?
Mizno: Absolutely! I’ve never been in a committed relationship even though I’m social and meet plenty of people. But people tend to stay in their own areas of town. We don’t like to travel more than 20 minutes to get somewhere. With that being said, it makes the degrees of separation small. When you date someone, there’s not much privacy. You’ll probably know some of the same people and maybe even have dated their relatives in the past.
The Voice: What would you change about KC’s dating scene to be more successful?
Mizno: I wish there were singles events, speed dating and matchmakers here.
The Voice: Pet peeves or biggest complaint you have going on dates with people in KC?
Mizno: My dating pet peeve would be people who should not be dating at all, stinking up the dating pool like the houseless, unemployed, multiple co-parents, unborn children on the way and people looking for help and not love.
The Voice: Success with dating apps or stay away from them?
Mizno: I stay away from dating apps. I have met people, but it seems to be used for hook-ups, not anything real. I haven’t had any good experiences.
Allen S., 36
The Voice: KC is ranked worst for dating. What is your experience?
Allen: Dating here, I used to come to the conclusion that something is wrong with me, but as I started working on myself and making myself better, I thought, it wasn’t me. It was the fact that I feel like a lot of women are intimidated by a man of value.
The Voice: Success with dating apps or stay away from them?
Allen: I used to, but after realizing it doesn’t really work for men. It works more in the favor for women. Dating apps and social media apps usually don’t work because it’s based on looks and some fairy tale story that you fabricate that catches the eye of the women. I’ve been successful on all of the apps, but when I meet the women, I haven’t had a relationship that lasted more than three months.
The Voice: What would you change about KC’s dating scene to be more successful?
Allen: If women could start being women, number one. And instead of trying to be the controlling one, stop bringing their past relationships into the new relationship.
Kali C., 24
The Voice: KC is ranked worst for dating. Is that your experience?
Kali: I am a relationship type of girl and had been in a long-term relationship for a majority of my late teens/early twenties. I am newly single and honestly dating sucks. I initially got back on the dating scene with intentions of having fun and being open minded. I don’t want anything too serious right now but even dating for fun can be challenging because people are not straightforward and want to waste your time. They either ask you out on a date and fall through or don’t respect my time once we are on the date and it is a big turn off.
The Voice: Pet peeves or biggest complaint you have going on dates with people in KC?
Kali: My biggest pet peeve with dating in Kansas City is when people cannot be honest about their intentions with dating. If you’re expectation is to just have sex after the date, be honest and say that. Don’t wine and dine someone as if you are genuinely interested in getting to know them and that’s not the case. They could be on the same type of time, but you will never know unless you express that honestly upfront. I also really hate having my time wasted. Do not approach me for a date then the day of go M.I.A.
The Voice: Success with dating apps or stay away from them?
Kali: No, I am not a big dating app person. Men on dating apps for me is a red flag lol. I always see them as wanting one thing. I like to be approached in person to feel out your vibe.
The Voice: What would you change about KC’s dating scene to be more successful?
Kali: Honestly, I feel like a lot of people in KC are all about image. People don’t express themselves authentically and are always worried about what the next person may think. Kansas City would be a better dating area if people were original and let their guard down a bit.
Josilyn W., 24
The Voice: KC is ranked worst for dating. Is that your experience?
Josilyn: Yes, absolutely. Zero out of 10.
The Voice: Pet peeves or biggest complaint you have going on dates with people in KC?
Josilyn: I think my biggest complaint with dating people in KC is when they’re not being authentic and honest. It’s hard to find someone who isn’t faking who they are in the beginning. Like if you’re a bum, show that. If you’re a liar, show that. If you got a baby on the way, say that. Don’t give a fake façade to try to impress me, then 3 months in show the real you. Stand firm in your truth.
The Voice: Anything you would change about the KC dating scene?
Josilyn: It’s not much you can change about people not being themselves. But I think everyone should just be okay with who they are as a person and if there’s something you don’t like, fix it.
Kevon G., 26
The Voice: KC is ranked worst for dating. Is that your experience?
Kevon: Most definitely. Most of the women I have tried to date only want a free meal or money.
The Voice: Pet peeves or biggest complaint you have going on dates with people in KC?
Kevon: My biggest pet peeve on dates is they’re on their phone most of the date.
The Voice: Anything you would change about the KC dating scene?
Kevon: The mentality of my generation has to change from all about money to trying to get to know people and understanding.