Best Dating Apps For Late 20s Early 30s
Life in your early 20s is a far different look than life in your late twenties/early 30s. In fact, it’s quite honestly day and night. In your early twenties, you are finding yourself and possibly making tons of mistakes along the way. You are just figuring out who you are and have zero clue where you want your life to go. You’re more concerned about what’s going on next Friday night than what’s going on with your 5-year-plan. When you’re young and reckless, you are living in the “here and now,” not the “here and now I have a lot of debt and I’m going to get checked for a STI.”
Not only is life different from your early 20’s to your late 20’s — but so is dating. Everything you thought you knew about dating changes as you get older. You are wiser. Wiser about who you date and how you date. Things that might seem like nothing when you were younger and more carefree, are big red flags as you get older. There are different dating rules because the name of the dating game has changed.
Below are the rules for dating in your late 20s and 30s.
In terms of market traction, tinder has a wide moat which in this context means the highest number of users in the 20s and 30s age group range. So you will have more chances in terms of numbers because of sheer popularity and high use of it. Apr 11, 2018 Here are some of the best dating apps for 30 somethings, which could save you an exhausting night out and a bad hangover, looking for potential baes. Coffee Meets Bagel Image source: coffeeandbagels.com. This is one of the most sought after dating apps for people who are tired of the whole swiping culture. After all, swiping through people is. The Best Dating Apps for 2021. Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, a serious relationship, or even a marriage, we've tested all the major competitors so you don't have to waste time you. With that in mind, here are the best (and OK-est) dating apps to try out. My recommendations are based primarily on my own dating-app experiences as a woman. Make of that what you will. Zoosk started out as a socially savvy dating site, and it has become the top grossing dating app in the App Store. The Zoosk app has been downloaded over 30 million times since its launch.
Do Think Out Of The Dating Box
When you were younger, you didn’t worry about how you might meet a potential partner. That’s what college parties were for. But now as you are out of the college scene and the there’s no office cuties at work, you’ve got to search elsewhere. That’s when you have to go where you never thought you would go before — to an online dating service. When you are in your late 20s and 30s you’ve probably signed up for Tinder, OkCupid and more. When you realized those didn’t work, you opted to pay for the more upscale ones, such as, eHarmony or Match. Hiring a matchmaker isn’t quite off the dating menu just yet. Putting yourself out there in ways you never thought you would is dating in your late 20s — get used to it.
Be Clear And Direct With Your Dates
You ain’t got time for “games.” So, one way to weed out the bad ones from the good ones is being upfront and honest about what you want. This isn’t coming on “too strong,” it’s coming off as a mature adult looking to find something real. If you want to just hook-up that’s fine, but the person you are seeing still deserves to know that’s where you are at. When you play games in dating, nobody wins.
Be Prepared With Annoying Questions
As you get older, society and all of your family members are going to think you should be married with children by now. Even though you know you aren’t ready for this step, or maybe you will never want that (which is okay), you better be prepared to answer those annoying questions. When are you going to settle down? Why are you still single? Blah, blah blah. So, before going to family gatherings or seeing old friends from high school, prepare for questions as if you are going to be interviewed by Barbara Walters.
It’s All About The Location
Location matters in many ways as you get older and wiser. First off, where you meet another person changes. No more finding a quality person at a bar. Unless you’re that one girl I know, and if so, how did you do it?! Now you have to go to other places in search of Mr. or Ms. Right. This is where work parties, the gym and other social gatherings come into play. Think of your interests and hobbies and make like Columbus and get your search on.
STIs Are A Real Fear
Not like they are never a real fear, but when you’re older you are more aware of how scary and common they are. As you enter into your later 20s, you realize your number of sexual partners are going up and so are your partner’s partners (if that makes any sense). So the likelihood of you meeting a person with an STI is quite possible. Cue dramatic music, and also me being a hypochondriac. Regardless, when you date in your late 20’s it’s crucial you are aware of the statistics of STI’s, their symptoms and first and foremost, that you are having safe sex.
Do Not Compare Your Life To Others
Your life changes as you grow into your later 20s and early 30s. This is clearly seen via Facebook and Instagram. Your friends who used to upload drunken friday night photos are now posting pictures of their babies. You start seeing engagement photos, wedding photos and more baby photos than a Baby Gap catalog. Don’t feel the need to rush your life because others may be in a different time in their life. You are where you need to be right now. Trust that.
Speak Up In The Bedroom
When you were younger, you probably faked a lot of things — reading the assigned chapter for homework, smiles as you saw your old friends from your hometown and orgasms. But now as you have aged a little, you don’t want to fake a damn thing. Now that you are more mature, you have found your voice. Use that voice in the bedroom and speak up about your wants and needs. Plus, I hear every time you fake an orgasm an angel loses it’s wings.
Image: Justin Gaynor/Flickr; GIFs/Giphy
I can't claim to be an expert on finding true love, but I know one thing for certain — dating app skills are a must-have when you're looking for that special someone. If you’ve been single anytime in the last few years, chances are you’ve dabbled in app dating (or at least watched over your friend’s shoulder as she swiped through her Tinder matches). I’ve always found that world a bit daunting, but I have friends who seem to know just how to craft the perfect message or snag that great first date. I'm often asking for their best dating app tips, and they've helped me spruce up my profile and think smarter about who I'm swiping right on. Honestly, it’s improved my success rate.
As a woman in my 20s, I know my dating app profile is super important. It’s great to have the ability to meet so many people with just a swipe of the thumb, but it can also feel super overwhelming at times! Many women are pros at navigating dating apps with ease, and I knew they’d have tips to share about how they find great prospective partners. With a little practice (and some insider knowledge from these ladies), you can become a certified expert at dating online. Open up your profile and get ready to swipe right, because you’re about to feel more confident than ever.
I always ask people their top three songs — music is super personal, and you can see where their heads are at. Like this one guy, all his music was super dark and creepy, and I was like, 'pass!' even though his pic was super cute.
— Haley, 24
Best Dating Apps For Late 20s Early 30s Woman
Don’t be afraid to be the first to reach out!
— Valerie, 24
Mention one to two things that are really easy for anyone to comment on (tacos, beer, The Office) and one to two things that are much more obscure but very important to you (your favorite book/movie/etc.) That way, almost anyone has something to talk about when they message you—but if someone shares your super obscure passion, you know immediately you have someone really great.
— Victoria, 24
Dating Apps For Young 20s
Be straight up with the person you’re talking to! If you don’t tell them you’re only looking to hook up, they’re not going to know that. Same goes for the opposite!
— Patty, 24
My bio includes the line, 'BTW, don't worry, that's not my girlfriend in the third pic.' I put it in because it’s funny, and it gets people to swipe through my pictures! It’s also a little surprising, so hopefully it makes an impression. If you're funny and weird in real life, don't be afraid to be funny and weird on Tinder, too.
— Julia, 20
Check in with yourself about if you are wanting to really meet people from there. If you do, great, get swiping! Hone in on one or two people to talk with, and make your plans one you’ve talked for a bit. If you don’t really want to meet people, consider what you want before logging in and swiping, because I found that this is what burnt me out on dating. I got really exhausted because I was always swiping and talking and going on a date here and there, because I didn’t check in with myself to really understand what I was looking for. Now that I do, they’re a helpful tool!
— Hannah, 23
Actually go on dates! The whole point of the app is a tool to meet people. I never understood why people would go on them just for attention and talk in circles but never meet. You have to be willing to put yourself out there and have that ‘get to know you’ convo in person, so be bold and be the first one to ask someone out after just a few exchanges. I got lucky and found someone great on a first date, but hey, if it’s horrible, you’ll have a great story to laugh with your girlfriends about after!
— Mackenzie, 23
The hell yes/no rule of thumb: If after a first date you aren’t saying ‘hell yes’ to a second date, then it’s a ‘hell no.’ He can be a perfectly nice person, but still not be your person. Reserve your energy and second dates for your person.
— Hillary, 26
Patience is key! More likely than not you are going to have to swipe and swipe and swipe for a good while. It can me exhausting, ego crushing, and truly a second job. You’ll go on some good dates and some 'what in God’s green Earth was I thinking' dates; however, it just takes the right, right swipe to change everything. Coming from experience (AKA currently seeing someone I’m excited about), apps can and do work! Just keep swiping!
— Caroline, 28
Don't take tips or advice too seriously. Don't worry and stress about, 'What kind of pictures do guys like? Does this make me sound weird?' Ultimately you want to find someone that likes you for you. So just be you and do what makes you happy!
— Morgan, 22
What matters most is that you're putting yourself out there in a way that feels authentic. Every person has a different idea about what that looks like, and that's OK! You'll have the greatest success on dating apps (and dating IRL) when you're being fully yourself, regardless of what anyone else tells you to do. Take these tips to heart, and use them as you please — but at the end of the day, girl, you do you!