Is Dating Better in Jersey City or New York City?

Reader Elizabeth asked Gothamist if we could get to the bottom of the strange news that Jersey City's singles scene outranked New York City's - Jersey City is 11 and NYC is 18. Alarmed, we got to work. First, it seems that website Sperling's Best Places did a survey with AXE Deodorant, "using 24 distinct criteria including, among others: population density, percentage of singles, frequency of hooking up, dating venues such as coffee shops, bars, and intimate apparel stores and flowers and jewelry bought as gifts." The survey uses Census Bureau numbers, and the study seems to concentrate on singles and population density figures for 18-24 year olds only. There are a few problems with this. Gothamist is confident there are many NYers who live here, but may still have their residency in other states - think college students, think people in swing states, think people who are very creative with their taxes. Also, as anyone knows, there are definitely over 25 singles in the city. Finally, there's another index created that is called "expen.", and we can only guess that it some sort of scale for expenses. And we know that NYC is expensive - certainly more expensive than Jersey City. So, rest assured, dear readers, just because a pit-spread survey says your city isn't teeming with singles doesn't mean it's true.

Here's the list of the best and worst cities for dating. Another Sperling list: Best and worst cities for driving. And speaking of singles, Gothamist is a promotional partner in Single Nights at the New York Knicks, where people will be speed-dating during the Knicks-Bobcats game this Sunday.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on February 8, 2005 3:19 PM

Comments [rss]

joe

nice google map action!

Michael

Homos aren't taken into account when rating a 'singles' scene, are they? (and if they aren't, that's not fair!) I'm single and gay but I doubt there are many venues for dating my kind in JC... but maybe I'm wrong...

Jen

Hey, as a Jersey girl, I know that NJ women are weird. And sometimes easy. But I digress.

frank

jersey sucks.

Kathleen

"Historic" Downtown JC is depressing as hell. I guess if you like taking your date to the 99 cent store it's good for dating. But Love is the Message is sorta fun: http://www.litm.com/main.htm

Blasery

I am perpetually baffled by the "NYC vs. Jersey" thing. Jersey City/Hoboken is basically the same as living in Park Slope -- I know, I've lived in the Slope, UES, Gramercy, and now JC. Actually, since I work in midtown, JC has an easier commute, cheaper rent, and better grocery stores. Oh, and that smoking thing.

Why don't we just annex JC & Hobo to NYC -- we can trade, say, Staten Island to the State of NJ, done deal. It will certainly even out the demographics.

Matthew W. Caldecutt

We're #1! We're #1! Woo hoo!

For those of you that don't know, aside from the downtown area, I have no idea where this mythological singles scene exists. It's certainly not in Journal Square or in the Heights section of the city.

BrianVan

You know what's frustrating? I just moved away from that local area and into Manhattan. Now I find out it's better for singles over there. Awww crap.

Time to get those PATH train passes ready...

carl

It's possible there is a slight advantage to women in Jersey City, for the simple fact that they can say the classic pickup line "do you have a light?" for their cigarette while indoors at a bar.

MT

This brings a whole new context to "swing states," doesn't it? (waiting for the cymbal crash)

Kojak

I can tell you one thing: out of personal experience New Jersey women are easier, more weird (And sometimes more fun) then NYC women.

Now before you all start getting on my case, this is out of MY Personal experience. Please don't hurt me.