There are so many things that make Minnesota special. It’s not just naturally beautiful; it’s also home to over 10,000 lakes, perfect for relaxing, picnicking, and enjoying the great outdoors. The state’s rich nature supports a healthy population of bald eagles, a rare sight in many other states, which is a real treat for bird enthusiasts.
Minnesota is also fairly healthy — based on its strong agriculture, it’s actually the third healthiest state in the United States. And, it’s quite a diverse state as well, filled with many young adults looking for romance and love.
Despite all that Minnesota offers, singles often find it challenging to meet someone, especially if they’re in one of its many small towns. That’s where online dating comes in handy. If you’re a Minnesotan thinking about trying online dating, here are some of the top sites you should consider exploring.
Match
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
It’s hard to talk about online dating without mentioning Match, the dating site that launched in 1995 and helped set the stage for many other companies. Not only is Match a solid site for Minnesotans, but it’s become a huge deal internationally, as well. That means that there’s a good opportunity to meet a diverse range of individuals.
The site and app have over 15 million active users, and signing up is free. But if you like it enough, you can also pay to upgrade your experience. As for gender ratios, Match is more or less split, with 49% of users identifying as male, and 51% identifying as female.
eharmony
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
- Match System: Personality test suggests matches
- Our Experts Say: Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony’s compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
If you’re looking for a trusted dating website with plenty of years to back its success, look no further than eharmony. Over 2 million former singles have found love thanks to the site, which uses a compatibility quiz to help like-minded people meet.
Basic membership is free and includes unlimited matches. But you can pay to enhance your experience, with paid memberships up to 24 months. eharmony is seen as a great site for those looking for long-term relationships. Need more stats to persuade you further? Approximately 71% of women and 69% of men who have joined met their partner through eharmony within just a year, which is pretty spectacular.
3. Bumble
Bumble is another fantastic option that’s free to start, and with so many active users, you’ll want to see who’s available. In just its first three years, Bumble attracted over 22 million users, which is impressive. The platform is particularly friendly to women, as they get to make the first move.
When a man and woman match on Bumble, it’s the woman’s responsibility to reach out first. This feature gives women more control than most other apps. This feature doesn’t necessarily apply to same-sex matches, who are still more than welcome on the dating app (and have found plenty of success on it, as well).
All in all, Bumble’s women-first policy can help minimize the number of sexually explicit first messages that women often receive from people who may not be looking for a long-term connection. While all dating sites offer different experiences, Bumble is best known for sparking long-term connections and friendships.
4. OkCupid
OkCupid is another great dating site where Minnesotans can find love. The platform has a reputation for being a bit quirkier than the competition. It focuses on connecting like-minded people connecting by leveraging their responses to questionnaires. All the personal questions about your background and opinions may help you learn something about yourself and your type.
Messaging on OkCupid is totally free, which is great for beginners. Like most other sites, OkCupid offers more premium features with an active subscription. OkCupid offers compatibility ratings with other singles, helping you identify better matches based on how you both answered the questionnaire. It’s also a good way to find friends or a new social group.
- Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs
- Match System: Search by age, location, appearance, and more
- Our Experts Say: With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Sure, the state fair may be one way to meet friends of friends you may click with — but if you’re interested in casually dating online, there are plenty of sites to check out that’ll offer just that. Tinder is quite popular for hookups, and Ashley Madison is also worth a try — especially if you’re a woman.
While the online dating site itself is best known for finding affair partners, it’s also good for both anonymous dating and one-off casual experiences. It also may be an interesting site to browse if you’re looking to be a third partner to an established couple, or just chat and flirt with others without taking the plunge.
On Ashley Madison, women can send and receive unlimited messages without having to pay a subscription cost, which can entice new users to give it a shot — especially after hearing that it has over 80 million members.
Is Online Dating Safe & Trustworthy?
If you’re new to online dating, you may have a few reservations — and, that’s completely normal. Some people do abuse these types of sites, but most users are in it for the right reasons. Online dating is different from traditional dating because a lot of the tough questions will be answered for you. By perusing member profiles, you can learn about a person’s political affiliation, gender identification, and whether someone has (or wants) children. In a way, it’s like dating in person but with a filter to screen people who immediately wouldn’t be a good long-term match.
People using sites need to safeguard their information and always be on the lookout for red flags. For example, you should never share your financial information, your passwords, or even the street you live on. Be careful not to expose too much about yourself before establishing a solid connection with someone, and always meet in a public place rather than your home. It’s also important to block accounts that immediately make you feel uncomfortable — not every direct message deserves a response.
Is Tinder a Good Dating App for Minnesota Singles?
We mentioned Tinder earlier, and for good reason. It does happen to be the most popular dating app in the world. But just because it’s popular doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s right for you. If you’re looking for a quick hookup, or feel lonely while traveling, Tinder may be a good way to meet others.
However, as far as legit matches go, it’s not necessarily the most reliable. Tinder has created over 75 billion matches, but some users report feeling neglected or ignored. Since photos matter a lot on Tinder, one poorly chosen photo could put a damper on your self-esteem. The dating app may not work as well if you’re living in a small town where you’ll potentially run into someone you didn’t necessarily click with. Still, it’s worth a shot if you’re curious.
Where Can I Meet Jewish Singles in Minnesota?
We’ve mentioned before that JDate is a top choice for Jewish singles nationwide. Launched in 1997, with its app debuting in 2014, JDate offers an easy-to-use interface and prompts that help you get to know potential partners.
Over 52% of Jewish couples credit their JDate membership for getting together, which proves its importance in the Jewish community. While most singles on the site are Jewish, not all are — but, with a quick introductory conversation with a potential match, you’ll know for sure.
Many Friendships & Relationships Can Start on a Minnesota Dating App
Even if you’re not necessarily looking for a long-term relationship, dating apps can be a great way to connect with new people. Dating apps are an easy way to put yourself out there to connect with someone who shares your interests or to find a community in Minnesota. While all of the dating sites on this list are worth trying, there are also plenty out there that may be tailored to your interests. You never know who you might find until you sign up.
