Over 1,000 people move to South Florida on a daily basis, making it a melting pot of cultures and people from all walks of life, from all across the world. South American’s are fleeing places like Venezuela, and people from California are coming to experience tropical living at reduced prices.
Wherever you come from, know that if you are single and ready to mingle in South Florida, you have more options that anywhere else in the U.S.A.
Dating in Florida
Let’s talk about the obvious, the part of Florida we don’t really venture to much: the Northern part, aka the Panhandle. I won’t be covering Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Talahassee, mostly because I can’t speak from first hand experience. What I can speak of is the West Coast, Central Florida, and South Florida, so that’ll be the focal point of our dating talk as it pertains to living in Florida’s many regions.
West Coast Dating:
In Fort Myers and Naples, or anywhere in Lee County, you’ll find a much different crowd compared to South Florida. These are retirement communities, and if you reside there, well, you’ll find that many people are elderly or at least above 55. Typically you’ll find Northeasterners in Naples, and Midwesterners in Fort Myers.
If you venture to Tampa and St. Petersburg, you’ll find the crowd much younger and more vibrant. There are many things to do over there, and the cost of living is less than South Florida, so your money will stretch further. Although not as cosmopolitan, there is plenty to see and do in Tampa / St. Pete.
You are always going to find a mix of cultures wherever you live in Florida, so be ready to meet people from other backgrounds.
Central Florida Dating:
Orlando is a unique place given the tourism that comes into the area thanks to Walt Disney World. Orlando is 41% white, and the rest of the background is made up of a large population of Hispanic and African American. Other races trickle in percentage points to make up the pie.
Orlando is a very stable, steady populace. While there isn’t the debauchery that you’ll find in Tampa and Miami, you’ll find that there is plenty of adult dating and hanky panky when it comes to “O-Town.” This backpage article about Orlando made me laugh, and it also gives a solid summary of what goes in in Orlando’s sex scene.
South Florida Dating:
You’ll find that the scene almost changes instantly from City to City. For example, South Miami, in the neighborhoods of Kendall, are mainly Colombian. If you venture to Coral Gables, you’ll find a lot more Cubans. Oh yeah, and don’t forget Calle Ocho and Little Havana, the area most Cubans settled way back when.
Of course, if you are scared of dating, check out these first date tips. You can thank me later!
As you make your way up to Fort Lauderdale, you’ll go through Aventura, which is a highly populated area with many Jewish people. To the East, you’ll find Sunny Isles Beach, which is mainly Russian immigrants. Everything in between, well, Hallandale is old people and Pembroke is hodge podge of cultures, before you get to the City of Weston, which is an uppity community made up of athletes looking to relax and wealthy Venezuelans looking for a community of safety. Making your way East again, Davie and Dania Beach are about as white and redneck as you’ll find in South Florida, and while there is still a mix of all cultures, you can’t argue that they are horse towns.
This all makes South Florida the most diverse place to date, hands down.
We’ll be following up on this story and adding anecdotes as to what people do on dates in Florida.
Chris Zasada
Chris is a Midwest Transplant that has lived in South Florida since 1999. While he likes to remain active and is an avid sports enthusiast, he's become our go-to provider of reviews of any establishment serving food and booze!