Meeting new people can be an especially difficult endeavor, but it is now easier than ever to date irrespective of your age due to the wide variety and availability of online dating sites for baby boomers.
However, online dating can still be quite daunting for Boomers, especially as there are so many different sites to choose from – each with different pros and cons – and many Boomers aren’t used to meeting new people online.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the things you should keep a special eye out for when using online dating apps when looking for people to date, and we’ll run you through some recommended dating sites so you can get started asap.
Why Might Baby Boomers Be Looking To Date?
While many Baby Boomers in the US are happily married, there will always be some who are looking to meet new people and online dating sites are a great way to do just that.
There are several possible reasons for this. For example, they may have recently been divorced, or perhaps they never found love, or their spouse may have recently passed away.
Regardless of your circumstances, it’s never too late to get back onto the dating scene and start meeting new people.
Before we get to the challenges of dating for Baby Boomers, we’d like to make you familiar with one online dating site that we particularly like. If you want to skip down to the deep dive on online dating, click here.
eHarmony is among the most popular dating sites in the world. People of all ages use the website to find love. The site lends itself to long-term relationships, so it’s a good choice for anyone who wants to settle down with someone new. But don’t let that deter you if you want something more casual – that’s an option too! The real place that the website shines is in compatibility matching. The system will match you with people based on factors like your interests, backgrounds, and what you want out of a relationship.
| 😀 PROS | 😡 CONS |
| The easy-to-use interface lets you browse unlimited matches and send unlimited messages. | Since the subscription is monthly, you need to use the site often to make the most of it. |
| You get compatibility information about every potential match before you even message them. | The subscription cost can be a little pricey, especially if you only buy one month at a time. |
| One subscription gives you access to all of the important features, so you don’t have to pick and choose what to unlock. | It’s not the best site for finding casual relationships and hookups. |
The Challenges of Dating For Boomers
Everyone’s quest for love has its challenges, but Baby Boomers in particular tend to struggle more than other, younger generations. This is because many Boomers are already married or have been in a long-term relationship, which can add extra complications to the matter.
For example, you may be going through a divorce or you might have kids who might not be entirely supportive of your decision to start putting yourself out there again.
Furthermore, Boomers typically struggle to meet new people – even when it comes to just making friends – as most people already have established friend groups and partners by the time they’re in their 50s.
Why Online Dating is Worth a Try
Regardless of age, online dating can make it much easier to meet new people. If you’re open to giving online dating a try, you immediately have an avenue to explore even if you don’t have many friends or family members who can introduce you to likeminded Boomers.
And there are several online sites which are tailored to “mature” or older people, so there’s no shortage of other people in a similar age bracket to you who are also looking to mingle.
Lastly, you shouldn’t be hesitant to try out online dating simply because you’re not particularly tech-savvy, as most platforms (especially those which are built specifically for Boomers) are very intuitive and easy to use, so you can get started in no time at all!
Things to Look Out For With Online Dating Sites
There are several important things to look out for when beginning your online dating journey and deciding which platform is best suited to you.
What Does it Cost?
Cost is always an important factor, especially when there are free and paid options to consider. This is true of the online dating market – and prices vary quite a lot depending on which online dating site you sign up with and which plan you opt for.
Even free online dating sites will offer paid plans with added perks, such as no adverts or “credits” to reach out to more matches.
It’s ultimately up to you to decide how much you’re willing to spend and if you think a premium plan is worth it. However, as a general rule, opting for a paid plan will accelerate the process and allow you to meet more people, so you have a much better chance of finding the perfect match for you.
Will You Meet the “Right” Kind of Person For You?
One of the great advantages of online dating is the use of advanced computer algorithms to assess your compatibility with another user. This allows the platform to filter out people you’re unlikely to be interested in and to match you with people with similar interests.
Most online dating platforms also allow you to filter users yourself by things like age, location, interests and several other factors.
How Popular is the Dating Site You’re Considering?
There are thousands of online dating sites out there – and some of them are hardly active, so it can be a very frustrating and slow process trying to meet new people on such platforms.
You don’t strictly only want to use sites which are super popular, but it’s best to stick to online dating platforms which have a steady stream of users so you at least give yourself a chance to meet new people and arrange a few dates without having to wait for several months.
Does The Online Dating Site Focus on Your Age Group?
While most dating sites are quite broad and cater to all users, there are many which are pretty niche and specific to some users. Some sites also have a reputation for being used for flings and casual hookups, so, unless you’re looking for that, it’s best to steer clear of such platforms.
Instead, you should stick to online dating sites which are specific to Boomers and other “mature” users, as this will give you the best chances of finding a suitable, likeminded match.
However, even some of the more generic online dating sites can also be great for Boomers, as you can filter the search results to suit your preferences. Furthermore, if you’re looking to date someone considerably younger than yourself, broader sites will probably be your best bet.
What Features Are Available?
While all dating sites ultimately have the same objective – to connect likeminded people – some work in very different ways to others.
For example, some online dating sites and apps, like Bumble, allow the woman in heterosexual matches to make the first move. This may or may not make online dating easier for you, depending on your preferences.
There are many other quirks and differences between the countless different online dating sites out there, so it’s a good idea to understand how a particular site works before you sign up. Alternatively, you can give several sites a go and see if certain features make it easier or more difficult for you to meet and connect with new people.
Top Picks
OurTime.com
OurTime.com isn’t as well known as some of the alternatives on our list, but they are nevertheless a great platform for Baby Boomers looking to meet new people and forge long-lasting relationships.
This particular dating site is specifically geared towards the over 50 crowd, so there’s no shortage of potential matches regardless of which part of the US you live in.
You can start a free 7 day trial with OurTime.com in a matter of clicks, and, if you’re happy with how things are going, you can then switch to a paid plan to step up your quest for love.
Whether you’ve just come out of a long marriage or never managed to find love, OurTime.com is great platform which can help you start putting yourself out there once again with minimum fuss.
eHarmony
eHarmony is one of the most popular online dating sites for Boomers in the US and beyond. The vast majority of its users are looking for lasting relationships as opposed to one-night stands, and that, in addition to its easy to use interface, is the primary reason it’s so popular among “mature” users.
eHarmony has one of the industry’s leading, most advanced compatibility matching systems, so you should find that most of its recommendations are a good fit for you and you’ll have plenty to talk about on dates.
This particular online dating site doesn’t offer a free trial, but in certain States you are eligible for a hassle free refund if you decide to cancel your subscription within 72 hours.
Silver Singles
Silver Singles is another online dating platform dedicated to connecting Boomers and other seniors with likeminded users near them. Some 50,000 Americans join their site every week, so there’s always a steady stream of new users for you to get to know.
Silver Singles have a free plan, but if you’re serious about getting back into the dating game, you’ll need to purchase a premium plan so you can unlock users’ pictures and strike up a conversation.
Senior Match
Senior Match has been around for close to two decades, which stands testament to just how effective this platform is at connecting compatible “mature” users.
This platform is strictly accessible to older Americans, with all users having to be at least 45 years old.
Senior Match is free to join, but, as with most dating sites these days, not purchasing a premium plan will greatly limit your ability to interact with other users. Specifically, their free plan allows you to send 50 “winks” to other users, but you can’t message them unless you’re on one of their premium plans.
LoveBeginsAt
Last but not least, we have LoveBeginsAt. This platform is also targeted at older users, but with a minimum age requirement of 40, they are a good choice for Boomers who have a preference for partners who are a bit younger than them.
In addition to their dating site, LoveBeginsAt also hosts local events and get-togethers to encourage users to mingle and to get to know each other in the flesh.
As with some of the other aforementioned sites, you’ll need to purchase a premium plan to use this online dating site as they don’t offer a free plan or a free trial. However, some of their premiums plans are very affordable (for example, their one-day trial plan costs just $0.99), so you can give them a try without shelling out much money at all.
Final Thoughts
We’re never too old to meet new people and search for love again, regardless of our individual circumstances and preferences. Having said that, there’s no denying that it can be a daunting and difficult endeavor, especially if your circle of friends is quite small.
Online dating can make the process much easier – and there are many different platforms to choose from, so you’ll have no trouble putting yourself out there.
Most sites offer a free plan or a free trial, but in most cases you’ll need to purchase a premium plan to give yourself a good chance of finding that special someone from you.
A Quick Summary
- Meeting new people can be very difficult for Baby Boomers, but online dating sites can be a big help when you’re looking to get back on the dating scene after a while.
- There are many online dating platforms to choose from, including a number of excellent sites which are dedicated to helping “mature” users find love.
- When deciding which site is best for you, there are several important factors to consider, including pricing, niche and focus, and popularity.
- Our five top picks are eharmony, LoveBeginsAt, Senior Match, Silver Singles and OurTime.com
- Remember – it’s never too late to put yourself out there again and start meeting new people, regardless of your individual circumstances.