Dating in LA, otherwise known as the game of love. The City of Angels is brimming with singletons – but where are they? Angelenos often bemoan the absence of singletons, but the 2017 census reported that no fewer than 41% of the population are unspoken for, romantically speaking. The trick is to find them.

LA syndrome

Author Lisa Marie Wilson diagnoses many Angelenos with a chronic case of what she terms ‘LA syndrome’ – a dangerous, hybrid super strain of two other syndromes – namely Peter Pan syndrome and Wanting-What-You-Can’t-Have syndrome.

In other words, she says, LA as a city is fundamentally grounded in its movie industry, but this can on occasion create an air of superficiality – you can’t always be certain that people don’t simply just want something from you, as opposed to really want to get to know you.

People yearn to remain youthful, carefree, hedonistic – not an environment necessarily conducive to settling down in a long-term, meaningful relationship. In a city full of hot, vivacious, go-getting individuals, it can be fairly normal for people to forever chase the next best thing – and, in doing so, maybe miss that one perfect match standing right before them.

Overcoming logistics

Dating in Los Angeles comes with a number of logistical issues, too. LA is massive – over 100 miles across. Furthermore, there is a notable dearth of public transportation systems – which has led to an unspoken rule of, if they’re over five miles away, the relationship is a nonstarter.

Flirting with that cute guy or girl can be going smoother than a treacle sundae, but you will inevitably reach that dreaded question: “So, whereabouts in LA do you live?” If you’re living in Santa Monica and meet someone residing in Silver Lake… well, suffice it to say, that would be a movie in itself.

Neighbourhood nuances

It’s not just geography that separates the different areas of the city – it’s attitudes, even culture. If you’re a newbie, fresh-faced and buzzing to get ahead in the dating game, you’re going to have to get to know your stereotypes – because they exist, my friend, they exist alright. Hermosa, Beverly Hills, Pasadena… Sherman Oaks, Venice, Hollywood… West Hollywood… From beach bums to buttoned-ups, hipsters to the highfalutin – where someone comes from can speak volumes about their personality, profession… and perhaps even their flakiness.

LA’s flakiness

Flakiness is a very real aspect of the LA dating game. This is said with entire lucidity – and isn’t to make a sweeping generalization about everyone. But ask even the hardiest LA date-goer and they’ll report back that sometimes it can seem like no-one is really looking for a relationship. In fact, you might even be surprised when someone does endeavour to make plans with you.

Embrace LA’s dating scene

But it isn’t all doom and gloom – far from it. When you get to understand the nuances of LA’s dating game, you will reap the rewards. Simply making small changes to your own mindset can do wonders for both your outlook and your self-esteem.

For one, no-one ever succeeded at anything without failing first – sometimes many, many times over. You have to get your strikeouts out of the way in order to score that home run. Don’t let flakiness or disappointments get you down – they are part and parcel of finding love, and this is a fact that holds universally.

Furthermore, it can be really beneficial to get involved with online dating in LA. The city is so heavily creative that many people work from home. It can be tough finding the time to get out and meet other singletons, so any stigma associated with looking for love via one’s screen has long since been shed.

Also, of course, such is the urban sprawl of LA that people within the same city can be literally tens of miles away – you would never bump into them in real life. In LA, online dating is so commonplace that nowadays it’s more just like an extended platform of social media.

Finally – and most importantly – get out there. If time-wasters annoy you, don’t give them the chance to! Immerse yourself in your passions, your hobbies, whatever you are truly interested in. You might be amazed at just how regularly you find yourself encountering like-minded people, with whom the common ground is strong and the connection instantaneous.

Set goals – I’m going to speak to x number of people in the bar/at the party tonight; This month I’m going to go on at least one date; I’m going to actually join that hiking group/dog-walking society/symphony orchestra. If you are motivated, the results can be truly astonishing.

Personalised support from LA matchmakers

Do you live in LA? Perhaps you’ve just moved there, or maybe you’ve been in the dating game for a while now. Are you bored of idle bar chat, uncommitted city-goers, the same old dates night after night?

If you’re looking for true love, why not get in touch with Maclynn (formerly Vida)? An international, award-winning global NYC matchmaking agency with a heavy presence in the City of Angels, our network boasts only the most exceptional singletons, both from LA and beyond, all of them just waiting for that special someone. Call us today – fall in love tomorrow.