Being single in London

Being single in London is not unheard of. In fact, there are 100 single women for every 155 single men in the Capital. London is notorious for being a city that is the ideal place to start a career. Home to 8.3 million people, London has endless opportunities. And yet it is considered to be a lonely city.

Is London as lonely as it can feel?

Nixalina Watson, editor at Sex and London City, says, “Sometimes, you can be standing in a crowded room unable to move and feel the loneliest you've ever felt in your life.  London is all about fast pace high stress and a replaceable lifestyle.”

Nixalina founded her blog after realising she wasn’t alone in thinking that London can be overwhelming as a single woman. “Meeting people is not the problem, London is great for that.  But beginning a trusting relationship is more difficult. What with the variety and lifestyle that London holds, often people do not want to settle down with just one as there is too much offerings going on elsewhere,” the blogger says.

“London is the best place to be single because you can meet so many new faces daily, or stay out partying until the sun rises. You've got more variety and more volume of single people in the city than most other towns or villages. But to grow? We'd have to define that first.  To grow individually, yes, but if you're looking for a love that Shakespeare would struggle to put into words? Then I am not so sure,” the London socialite says.

However, Charly Lester, editor of the 30 Dates Blog and Global Head of Dating for Time Out, has lived the single life for three years in London and has recently started a relationship. She says, “If you want to enjoy single life in London, you need to take opportunities.  It's an expensive city to live in, and people aren't as approachable as they are in small towns, so you have to make an asserted effort to date.  Be creative with the way you date - the more you get out, and have fun, the more relaxed you become, and the happier you become in yourself.”

“It's definitely possible to balance a career and a committed relationship, but you just have to make time for your partner. Most of my most successful female friends, who are in long-term relationships, have always made a point of scheduling regular date nights. They book trips away with their other half at weekends, and make sure they spend quality time together. The reality of London life is that you won't be the only one in the relationship thinking about your career, and you'll both be busy, so it's just a matter of making sure you both make time for one another,” the Global Head of Dating says.

“The great thing about London is that there is always somewhere or something new to try, so you can have a really fun, enjoyable time dating,” Charly says.

Women like Nixalina and Charly show that London can be a fun place to live if you are single. In fact, it is estimated around half of London’s population is single. What’s stopping you from having both a career and dating?

Charly says, “It's definitely possible to balance a career and a committed relationship, but you just have to make time for your partner.”

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