8 Truths About Dating in Los Angeles No One Ever Bothered to Tell You

Los Angeles is full of single people. So why is it that you keep asking yourself, “Where they at?”

No matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to connect with anyone in a meaningful long term sense. Trust me, you’re not alone in this.

Yet maybe there’s a better way.

Dating is a headache to begin with, but if you understand the city you’re living in, it might make things a little clearer for you when you get in the game.  So let’s take a look at some of the essential dating truths about L.A. that, if you fully grasp, might make these treacherous waters just a tiny bit easier to navigate.

And even if you don’t follow the advice I’ve laid out below, at least we can all commiserate about the agonies of being single in the city of angels.

Either way, right?

1. Location is Key

Scenario: You’re chatting up a cute potential love interest and hitting things off oh so well, but then comes the dreaded question “So where in L.A. do you live?”. It’s just an unspoken rule that if said love interest does not live within a 5 mile radius, this relationship is over.

Truth is: Long distance relationships are hard work, and that sometimes means having to say bye to that cutie from Santa Monica.

2. You Already Date Your Car

Living in Los Angeles means a lot of driving. I mean you can certainly count that cute guy/girl flirting with you as you inch across the 10, but once they meet their exit, it’s back to being alone. You spend a good portion in your car so I’m sure you’ve asked yourself, “How am I ever suppose to meet someone?”.

Truth is: You still can! Just need to open to more random of meetings when you finally get out of your car.

3. Star F*ckers Really Do Exisit (Don’t Be One)

Living in L.A., by now you should know at least ONE person who has hooked up with someone kind of sort of famous. In fact some people are actually out there actively seeking celebrity hook-ups, giving themselves bonus points for the varying classes of their bedmates (movie star, television star, reality… thing).

Truth is: Try not to brag about hooking up with a famous person unless they are actually famous. Disney Chanel stars do not count. Chances are that no one will know who they are, unless it’s your younger cousin.

4. Beware: “In the Industry”

Just like the above, chances are high that you have dated or will date someone “in the industry” while living in L.A. This term gets thrown around a lot and mainly covers actors, camera guys, screen- writers, and the works who flock here to try and make it big. It’s just something that comes with the territory of Los Angeles.

Truth: This is not always a bad thing. Dates at industry events can be fun. BUT there is a high chance that work will always come before you do. So unless you can handle long periods on location and/or high flake potential, try to find someone else to date. Caveat emptor, as they say.

5. Saving on Dating Costs IS Possible

Dating in L.A. doesn’t come cheap. With tons of awesome restaurants and bars to try, sometimes budgeting for dating can be hard. Outside activities make for great first dates as well.  There are plenty of other ways you can date for cheap, such as 14 Cheap L.A. Date Ideas That Girls Will Love (aka Spend Less to Impress) or 15 Things To Do in Los Angeles for $15 or Less.

Truth: Don’t be put off by someone who suggests a cheap/free date. If there is thought behind it, then that’s all that matters. If you are stuck paying for everything, then that’s not cheap, that’s just gross.

6. Hating on Couples is Pointless

Does it seem like everyone you know is in a relationship already, thereby decreasing your chances of meeting someone through your ‘couple’ friends? Los Angeles can sometimes seem like a city divided: one for the couples and one for the singles. Couples either either move here together or find each other way more quickly than you can find parking on your street. And once they pair up, God help you trying to horn in on their social time.

Truth: Give them a break. Rent is cheaper when you have someone to split it with. If your cat could pay rent then you wouldn’t be complaining. Also: It’s not their fault you’re single and they’re not.

7. Meeting People Is Easy… If you’re Motivated

A common theme I’ve found when asking people about dating in Los Angeles is that it is SUPER hard to meet anyone. Well that is a given. One of the first “dates” I went on after moving here was with a someone I met at a health food co-op in Santa Monica. It’s sometimes just luck. But not usually.

Truth: There are a bunch of places you can meet other single folks. Volunteer. Pick up a hobby. Come join We Like L.A. meet up group and meet some fabulous people, or try some of these other tips for meeting new folks. You just need to know where to look and then actually try to look (as opposed to just telling everyone you are trying).

Like the green dude said: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

8. The Walk of Shame is a Thing of the Past

You’d think that because everyone drives here, the walk of shame is not really a thing for us Angelenos. But what about that guy you are seeing that lives in Koreatown and has absolutely NO parking ever by him?

Truth is: We call our walk of shame the Uber of Shame. Personally, I think this is a lot more classy since the only person who comes into contact with you the next morning is your Uber driver who doesn’t judge, and just gives you a bottle of Fiji water while you avoid eye contact.

What are some other valuable truths you’ve experienced while dating in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below.