Here in the Netherlands, most singles live
Okay, imagine this: you are single, ready to find THE love of your life, but you think – where in the Netherlands can I actually find the most singles to date? Good news: I’ve looked it up for you (and yes, there is really an answer).
In which cities do the most singles live? How on earth should I behave on that first date? And what activities are fun to do with your first date? I’ll answer all these questions here.
Here live the most singles
Okay, let’s start at the beginning: Did you know that almost one in five Dutch people lives alone? Yep, 19 percent to be exact. That’s almost a fifth of the country that doesn’t have to worry about who takes the last piece of pizza during Netflix and chill. But it gets even more interesting: where you live affects how many potential dates you have around you. Big cities like Groningen, Wageningen, Delft and Maastricht are absolute hotspots with more than 30 percent living alone (and thus: on paper the most singles). And that’s secretly quite logical, because these are all student cities and twenty-somethings and students tend to live alone more often –mood.
These big cities are indeed the places to be
Not in the mood to travel to another city just for love? But do you want a vibrant dating life? Then your city is probably just a good playground. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Utrecht are known for their lively nightlife and bustling cafes. Perfect for scoring someone during a drink or at the bar. But Maastricht is also surprisingly romantic – ideal for those who love charming streets, cozy terraces, and a touch of French flair. Dating in Maastricht? here you’ll find fun hotspots.
The nice thing about these cities? You always have an excuse to do something fun together: from a cocktail bar where you almost pinch your toes between the dancing crowd, to quiet places (sometimes by the water) where you can have a good conversation without having to repeat yourself five times. Not a fan of dating outside the house? Just invite your date to your rooftop terrace - romantic and private.
Small villages? Singles live there too
Maybe you’re thinking now: “Okay, but I live in a small village, what about that?” Singles live there too. Often a bit older, that’s true. The charm is that you often know each other, which makes dating less anonymous and perhaps even more special. Plus, less choice stress. How do you approach it? Talk to that nice guy you see walking in the supermarket every Sunday morning, or go to the pub in your village once, who knows you might meet someone. And then there are still: the dating apps. Here you can read why a dating app is quite handy to have.
This way your first date won’t be a flop
Okay, you have a match, you’ve been invited on a date. Now the real work begins. These are the essential tips that will guide you through the first date without it getting awkward.
First things first: relax. Yes, easier said than done, but take a deep breath in and out. No one expects you to be perfect. Try to turn that nervousness into enthusiasm – after all, it’s someone who likes you, you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Choose a low-key location like a coffee shop or a walk in the park. This way you avoid awkward silences at a table in a fancy restaurant. First time dining in a fancy restaurant? Well, don’t make these mistakes.
Wear something you feel confident and comfortable in. Not too much fuss, but also not like you just rolled out of bed. Arrive on time, that shows you take the date seriously.
During the date: ask questions, listen well, and dare to share something about yourself. Humor always helps. And above all, be yourself – because the right person will fall for the real you. The most important thing? Dare to say afterwards that you enjoyed it and ask if they would like to go on a next date. Did you find the date ten times awful? That’s okay too, be honest about it.
Did you know?
In Sweden, about half of the population lives alone - SAY WHAT?. Yes, really. It’s normal there to be solo and they fully enjoy their own freedom. Maybe we can learn something from that? More self-love, less pressure to jump into a relationship right away. Sweden is the capital of singles in the world, you can read more about it here.
8 golden rules for your perfect date
- Be yourself, even if that means you’re sometimes a little nervous.
- Choose an activity that you both feel like doing.
- Arrive on time (not half an hour early, that’s a bit exaggerated too).
- Avoid topics like your ex, politics, or money on the first date.
- Ask open questions and really listen to the answer, so you can follow up or bring up something that was said on the next date.
- Keep your phone on silent and put it away.
- Be honest about what you’re looking for. .
- At the end of the date, ask if you’re going to see each other again.
