It may strike some as cold-hearted or lacking the proper spirit of romanticism to analytically breakdown the optimal strategy for finding a life-long partner. If you are one of those people with a pure romantic streak, you should probably find a travel dating blog by someone who isn’t a data scientist. Dating is many things… It’s also a numbers game… at least if you know what you want.
I have received some pointed criticism for choosing to go to Jacksonville first. I can’t talk to someone without hearing comments like, “Jacksonville?? Why Jacksonville??? Isn’t that going to be Orlando 2.0?” To that pugnacious accusation I say…
“You got me. Fair enough.” To be honest, I booked my airbnb in Jax before I had a clear strategy and it seemed a convenient place to start. But, for all you Jax haters out there, it’s a cool city! From the Spanish style of San Marco to playing beach volleyball at Jax Beach, Riverside and Avondale; all chill spots.
Jax might not be brimming with the type of girl I am looking for – though, who knows, after all you only need to find one! But which city attracts that type of girl I’m looking for anyways? What are the places deep thinkers with a purpose to serve others congregate?
There is no perfect city. There is no perfect activity to do to meet said woman. But it is for me to figure out the answer to that dilemma. Here are some of my current, always subject to change, ideas:
- Go to a place with good Uni’s. There are alumni who stick around, post-docs, researchers, medical residents, and law school students. Maybe she’s wicked smaht or something.
- Go to a city I wouldn’t mind living in, in case I meet someone who has strong ties to that city. Which means, it’s gotta be somewhere south! Florida boy’s don’t do winter. Had enough winters for my lifetime.
- Get involved! Improv Classes, Service Opportunities,Coffee Shops, Volleyball, Pickleball, Ultimate Frisbee, Theology on Tap, Jiu Jitsu, Ballroom Dance(always wanted to learn). Whatever I can find in the city that piques my interest and will help me meet people.
So, where does that leave me?
Raleigh’s is next! It’s right in the middle of the research triangle, hopefully with a healthy population of interesting people. Charlotte has possibilities too.
Nashville, an exploding southern city with more and more young people calling it their home..
Austin, a hotspot for entrepreneurs and techies with cool music and great food.
A city I missed? An activity I should do? I’m open to suggestions. Let me know in the comments.
The Purpose Driven Date 
2 responses to “Strategy!”
Hi Connor,
It’s Anna from Australia here – I had the privilege of walking a few bits of the Camino with you, in case you’re wondering, “Who is this?”.
I thought you might enjoy this TED talk on a woman who also took a very data oriented approach to finding someone: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_webb_how_i_hacked_online_dating
I did a lot of online dating before Andrew and I found each other via eharmony. What helped weed people out quicker, I found, was a very clear profile on who I was, and what I was ultimately looking for. So in your case, specifying a deep thinker and expounding on what you mean by someone who wants to serve others and being very clear if that requires a particular spiritual affiliation. EHarmony (at the time, not sure if it still does) has a values assessment you can take, and Andrew and I were both very high on same values which has ultimately made being in relationship easy.
I love your experiment. I hope it yields fruit quickly! 😊
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Thank you for sharing that camino with us
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