Go outside. Take a breath. The pollen and ragweed levels are extremely low. The air pollution is also low. The cold temperatures neutralize our ability to process the usual city odor. So what are we breathing?
Love is in the air.
This does not mean love is everywhere. For many, Valentine’s Day marks 24 hours of watching #blessed on Instagram or having to pain through another friend’s story of a “low-key” evening at an expensive fun restaurant.
Singles, do not fret! 2xParked has looked at the data, and we will help you strategize your next 365 days to maximize your chance of getting a date next year (if that is what you want).
Location Location Location
Just like in real estate, location location location. In New York City, our travel is warped. According to Google Maps, it takes an hour to get from Carroll Gardens to the Upper West Side by subway despite only being a few miles away. That is about the same travel time it will take to drive from New York City to White Plains. Where you decide to live matters.
You are going to want to live in an area with a lot of singles. Using data from the 2019 American Community Survey, I looked at the density of single New Yorkers (between the ages of 20 and 54) throughout the five boroughs. The darker the red, the higher the density of singles in the zip code.
Manhattan is booming, especially in the Upper East Side and Fidi.
Additionally, I have included a more specific guide to help you quantify the number of single males or females (based on the ACS classification) within a 30 minute walk from your zip code. This is the supply to your demand, so choose your locale wisely!
More for the Money
Imagine not worrying about skimping out on an awesome Valentine’s date next year. Make incremental cash and make it quickly.
One way to make money is through the stock market. If you had invested $1,000 in one of the 10 biggest publicly traded companies in New York City (by employee size) last Valentine’s Day, you would have made $159 profit on average, or enough for a prix fixe and a glass of wine.
Be(lieve in) Yourself
I looked at a study of early online dating by University of Chicago researchers, and here is what I found:
People have inherent strengths and weaknesses that are difficult to change. Good looking people get more clicks than less good looking people. The odds of a “very good” looking male getting contacted for a date by a female is 25% higher than an above average looking male. For a “very good” looking woman being contacted by a man, the odds are 41% higher.
The study accounted for looks, physical measurements, income, education, and a few other key demographic data points, and the model still had an R^2 less than 50%. Most of the factors explaining why someone is asked out remain unexplained.
Remember this equation: 1 picture = 1,000 words. People are complex. There are strategies to put yourself in a better position to get a date, but there is no magic formula. Be yourself. Believe in yourself.
If you were to stand in Time Square on a random non-Covid day, 350,000 people might pass you by. It is likely no one will be more than a “please do not stop and take a picture here” type of person, but if you make one connection, you will call it a successful day.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
"Ok…Cupid" was drawn by Ink&thyme, drawing life's unforgettable moments. For unique art drawn just for you, check them out on Facebook and on Instagram.
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Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Email me at 2xParked@gmail.com.