Best singles cities in the Midwest?

[Sukhoi]

I'm graduating from the University of Illinois in May in mechanical engineering and am starting to seriously look for jobs. I'm originally from Cleveland and came out here to Chambana for school. I like this area of the country and I have no desire to move out of the region. So please don't suggest the Northeast, South, Southwest, California, Rocky Mountains, etc.

Here are the cities I currently have on my list for where to start looking:

Bloomington, IL
Champaign, IL
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Fort Wayne, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Milwaukee, WI
Peoria, IL
Rockford, IL
South Bend, IN
St. Louis, MO
Toledo, OH

Of those cities are there going to be any that are considered much better singles cities than others? I'm not the kind of guy that goes to dance clubs and that sort of stuff, so I'm a bit worried on how I'm going to meet people outside of college.

Also am I right that college towns (mostly Bloomington, IL; Champaign, IL; and South Bend, IN on my list) are going to be bad singles cities for people out of college? I just don't see too many people staying in the same city they went to college in. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Saint Nick]

You can't go wrong with Omaha!!!

I think everyone (well mostly everyone) has been friendly to me while I've lived there.

Lincoln isn't bad either, the street system is stupid though.

 

[laurenlex]

I hear Detroit is nice.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Lived in Bloomington for almost a decade - because State Farm HQ is there (HUGE, since it's an international corporation and all), a lot of singles live there - it used to be a smaller-scale conservative town when I origianlly arrived, but it's getting more liberal.

And it's in between all the Cities (One hour [approx.]; Champaign, Decatur, Peoria, Springfield - Three Hours (Approx.); St. louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Carbondale).

Plus, ISU is very well known for its education program (even though the school's admin is horrible) so a lot of female undergrads cover the town (the females easily outnumber the males on campus, and all my buddies that went to IWU, Bradley and U of I agree - witht he possible exception of yellow fever-inflicted individuals, ISU has the best looking girls on campus (in the area, at least)).

Edit: Cost of living, compared to average income (due to State Farm, the Mitsubishi Plant [it's unionized], and Country companies) is ridiculously low - but it's incresing, so if you want to move, it's prolly a good idea to find something asap - a lot of people are flipping property because of rising land value.

As far as other cities are concerned, Peoria is a lot more blue-collar than Bloomington (lots of gangs there too); Chicago is big/diverse enough to cover all your needs but it is EXPENSIVE; Rockford is pretty blue-collar (and is pretty much on its own location-wise); a good friend of mine moved to Cleveland - he says that Cleveland is also more blue collar than Bloomington, but it's a pretty good town with a lot of nice people.

I might add - because there are so many undergrad education majors, the lower cost of living, and the location inbetween all the other cities, it's also a very good place for starting a family (many people expect a dump because it's a college town and are suprised; once you leave the college areas, which is only about 20% of the town, the State Farm influence is ubiquitous - meaning, lots of white-collar, prefab type properties - not exactly my thing, but if you're more into a clean-cut quiet lifestyle, this is the town to be).

There are a few others who are currently in Bloomington - you might want to ask them for advice as well, but I'd strongly recommend it to a young college grad if you're looking for a place.

 

[Sukhoi]

I have a friend from Omaha so I'll talk to him. I had forgotten about it.

Detroit is a good idea too. I just need to be careful to avoid all the auto industry there. With the way GM and Ford are going I don't exactly trust those kinds of jobs for stability.

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Yes, of course the job is important. Cost of living doesn't vary a whole lot among the cities on that list, though obviously the larger places like Chicago are going to be more expensive. Commute time I'm going to worry about once I have some offers. Even if I'm up in Chicago if I get a job out in the suburbs and I live in the suburbs the commute won't be that terrible.

I just need some way to limit where I'm applying to, and I think trying to find the best cities to live in is the best way. Once I get it narrowed down to my top 10 or so I'll start applying there and see what kind of offers I can get. If those aren't too great then I'll move onto the next group of offers.

 

[tennisflip]

Add Madison, WI to that list.

 

[shopbruin]

seriously... bad idea basing it only on available people. if you want your best opportunity of singles and job opportunities, big cities would be your best bet. smaller companies are based in the suburbs if you want to live in the suburbs.

i stayed in the city i went to college in; but then, i went to school in los angeles.

plus you may want to find a city (if you're so concerned with the available mate population) that fits your mentality to find people more compatible to you.

but then who knows. best of luck. i'd find a job first but my qualifications for a job is that it pays and is not located in the middle of freaking nowhere. then i'd have some experience and then i could go elsewhere if need be.

 

[Praetor]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Hmph. Just because all we've got going for us are a bunch of cows isn't a reason to say Nebraska is a boring, ugly state. 😛

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Hmph. Just because all we've got going for us are a bunch of cows isn't a reason to say Nebraska is a boring, ugly state. 😛

But Nebraska *IS* a boring and ugly state. At least Iowa has trees and forests to break up the flatness. 😛

 

[slpaulson]

I think finding a job is more important than finding a city...

Anyways, I like Madison and I would probably stay here or in the suburbs if I can.

 

[Praetor]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Hmph. Just because all we've got going for us are a bunch of cows isn't a reason to say Nebraska is a boring, ugly state. 😛

But Nebraska *IS* a boring and ugly state. At least Iowa has trees and forests to break up the flatness. 😛

Hey, we've got Nebraska City! Tree capitol of the world!


..... and stuff..... 😛

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Hmph. Just because all we've got going for us are a bunch of cows isn't a reason to say Nebraska is a boring, ugly state. 😛

But Nebraska *IS* a boring and ugly state. At least Iowa has trees and forests to break up the flatness. 😛

Iowa is the most boring state on Earth.

And you live in Cedar Rapids, which is 10 times crappier than Des Moines, and Des Moines is 10 times crappier than Omaha.

And to the OP, you don't need to find a "singles" city to meet women. As long as you are not a prick, dress decently, and have a job, women will find you, or visa versa.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Hmph. Just because all we've got going for us are a bunch of cows isn't a reason to say Nebraska is a boring, ugly state. 😛

But Nebraska *IS* a boring and ugly state. At least Iowa has trees and forests to break up the flatness. 😛

Iowa is the most boring state on Earth.

And you live in Cedar Rapids, which is 10 times crappier than Des Moines, and Des Moines is 10 times crappier than Omaha.

Actually I live in Omaha. I just can't update my profile because of the underscore in my name. I'd gladly move back to Iowa. Omaha has attrociously high property taxes. Sales tax is higher. Income taxes are higher. Insurance is higher. Vehicle registration is higher. And the pay isn't any better. I'll take Iowa. I'm only here because of my wife's residency.

 

[snowdogg187]

Seriously check out Minneapolis or St Paul.

Unlike many of the cities on your list there are many large companies here.

Many different bar scenes in either downtown minneapolis or st paul. Then there is uptown in mpls or Grand Avenue in st paul.

Check it out.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Actually I live in Omaha. I just can't update my profile because of the underscore in my name. I'd gladly move back to Iowa. Omaha has attrociously high property taxes. Sales tax is higher. Income taxes are higher. Insurance is higher. Vehicle registration is higher. And the pay isn't any better. I'll take Iowa. I'm only here because of my wife's residency.

Yeah, but the city is far better than Des Moines or any other city in Iowa.

Even in Des Moines, it feels like you're in a farm town.

 

[Sukhoi]

Alright, Twin Cities are on the list.

 

[Triumph]

Singles life is important, if you want to find someone to marry. Cost of living and all that is important for sure, but if you're young and want to meet someone, don't move to a town where there's nothing to be had. I was offered a job at Fort Leonard Wood, IA, basically 3 hours from anywhere. It's a nice place if you've already got a family, but not somewhere you want to move if no one is coming there with you. So needless to say I didn't take the job. There's more important things than just jobs and cost of living, those aren't permanent like a wife (should) be.

 

[Tea Bag]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Isn't your actual job more important? Even if it's not, there are more important factors in a city, such as costs of living, commute time, and crime rates. You're restricting yourself a lot by limiting your choices to Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. If you still want the midwest, I'd explore states like Minnesota - the twin cities are nice and have a ton of engineering jobs. Nebraska is a boring ugly state (based off the 1 time I've been there, heh), but the cities in it are pretty nice.

Picking a city because of it being a "good singles city" is probably the worst idea I've heard. You probably won't meet more/less people anywhere else.

Hmph. Just because all we've got going for us are a bunch of cows isn't a reason to say Nebraska is a boring, ugly state. 😛

But Nebraska *IS* a boring and ugly state. At least Iowa has trees and forests to break up the flatness. 😛

Iowa is the most boring state on Earth.

And you live in Cedar Rapids, which is 10 times crappier than Des Moines, and Des Moines is 10 times crappier than Omaha.

Actually I live in Omaha. I just can't update my profile because of the underscore in my name. I'd gladly move back to Iowa. Omaha has attrociously high property taxes. Sales tax is higher. Income taxes are higher. Insurance is higher. Vehicle registration is higher. And the pay isn't any better. I'll take Iowa. I'm only here because of my wife's residency.

Shameless plug for Cedar Rapids or West Des Moines as well. It's boring becuase its super cheap to live here 😛

 

[minendo]

Stay the hell out of Indiana. Lived there for several years and it sucked.

 

[ManSnake]

How can you leave out Twin Cities? If you are ME, there are tons of companies in Twin Cities area you can work for. 3M, Medtronic, Guidant, just to name a few.

 

[vi edit]

FWIW it's worth, I'd really look at the Twin Cities or Madison. There's better employement opportunities in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Traffic and cost of living are better in Madison. It's a smaller college town with a bit more flair to it. But there's more to do and better employers in Minn/St. Paul.

Omaha has great fortune 500 representation and there is a ridiculous number of very wealthy people here on a per-capita basis, but otherwise I'm just not sold on the place. It just doesn't have the culture/feel to it that the smaller college towns I'm used to being in.

 

[keeleysam]

Chicago FTW.

Best food to boot.

 

[jammur21]

Madison, WI

 

[Praetor]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
FWIW it's worth, I'd really look at the Twin Cities or Madison. There's better employement opportunities in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Traffic and cost of living are better in Madison. It's a smaller college town with a bit more flair to it. But there's more to do and better employers in Minn/St. Paul.

Omaha has great fortune 500 representation and there is a ridiculous number of very wealthy people here on a per-capita basis, but otherwise I'm just not sold on the place. It just doesn't have the culture/feel to it that the smaller college towns I'm used to being in.

*GASP*

Okay, I've got nothing for that one.