Senior Daters Are Matching by the Bucket List According to DateMyAge

A study commissioned by DateMyAge, part of the Social Discovery Group, has challenged the myth that daters in the 45+ demographic are only seeking companionship, suggesting instead that spontaneity and shared experiences are top of the wish list for mature singles. 

Travel ranks high in terms of dating desires for the more senior daters, with almost two-thirds (65%) of those surveyed reporting they would travel to a different country for a first date. A third would buy a plane ticket to meet someone overseas within just 72 hours of meeting them online, with 23% of users claiming they would be prepared to travel as far as 4,000 miles to meet a potential match. 

The sense of adventure continues into longer term life plans too, with 46% of those surveyed prepared to move abroad to be with a new partner they had met online. Looking further ahead still, almost two-thirds (62%) of the DateMyAge community reported that they hope to retire in a different country and are dating to find new love to take into this new nomadic era with them. Phuket and Costa Rica ranked highly on the list of potential places to meet a new match, and language barriers aren’t a concern for daters; 72% of users are open to learning a new language to better communicate with international matches. 

Finding adventure has become a north star for mature daters and the trend isn’t limited to romantic relationships, with over half (52%) of DateMyAge users reporting they would be happy to use dating apps to make more friends too. Sabbaticals were seen to offer an opportunity to expand friendships, with over a third (35%) saying they would be open to using the time to meet someone new. 

The research suggests a preference for shared experiences in later life dating, but the bucket list doesn’t end at international adventure – adventures in the bedroom also feature heavily. Swinging with another couple (17%), roleplaying in public (34%) and cosplaying their partner’s favourite character (44%) all appeared on the list of desired activities for DateMyAge users. 

Regardless of context, the success of shared experiences in deepening the bond between daters was unquestionable, with 97% of respondents reporting that the experiences had brought them closer to their significant other.