Michigan is not known for being a great place to be single. In fact, it has come up quite high on lists of the most difficult places to be single. This has a lot to do with the harsh economic situation in the state. Michigan’s government is in the middle of a budget crisis. The unemployment rate is higher than ever and young people with hopes of finding a great career are increasingly leaving the state in search of better opportunities. Michigan also lacks cities that are conducive to dating. Michigan is largely made up of rural and suburban communities. Most people need to drive long distances to find areas to hang out and meet new friends. Not many cities in Michigan have reliable, easy to use public transportation or vibrant city centers. Also, in many areas of the state, the culture is quite conservative. In MI, sex and dating may be taboo topics in some rural areas.

In spite of this bleak situation, having a Michigan personal life is not impossible. Young, single people congregate in certain areas. Ann Arbor, a city in Southeast Michigan and home to the University of Michigan, is medium-sized, progressive, and fairing well in the overall bad economy. Ann Arbor has an extensive downtown area with many unique shops, excellent restaurants and loud, packed bars. This area is busy on most nights of the week, not just Fridays and Saturdays. It is also easy to get around in Ann Arbor. Many places where singles meet, such as coffee shops, bars, and museums, are all within walking distance of each other. The young, upbeat, and liberal atmosphere is attractive to single professionals. Having a Michigan personal life in the Ann Arbor area is close to ideal.

Another area of Michigan where dating is relatively easy is in certain suburbs of Detroit. In particular, Ferndale and Royal Oak have become strong, economically viable communities attracting young singles. Both cities have revamped their downtown areas in recent years, and although not as large as Ann Arbor, are now very exciting places to meet new people.

Even if singles do not live in these areas of Michigan, they can still be successful at dating. Dating services have become incredibly popular recently. The amount and increase in use of internet dating sites has been overwhelming since they first arrived on the dating scene. Specifically, by listing a Michigan personal, a single person can find exactly what they are looking for in a mate in the same state. Living in an isolated part of Michigan is no longer an issue. For a more traditional option, listing a Michigan personal ad in local papers, can help singles find a date.

For those who find the idea of inernet dating or using personal ads tough to digest, face-to-face services are another option. Most areas have dating services that offer programs like speed dating. Speed dating allows a person to meet several potential dates in one evening. Each couple spends just a few minutes together, getting to know each other. This method allows the daters to sift through several people at a time. If two people have an interest in each other, they can set up a real date for later.

Dating in Michigan is not impossible. It just takes a little extra work.