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From apps to relationship coaching, there are many ways to revive your dating life in Austin. (Pexels)
The latest Singles in America report says hookup culture is history and 62% of singles became more interested in a meaningful, committed relationship since before the pandemic began.
Of course, Austin singles are looking for a range of casual or serious relationships. After all, it was only a few years ago when relationship company Match reported that Austin men are more likely to ghost, breadcrumb and come back as a zombie.
So whether you want to find a partner or are looking to have some fun, here are a few places to try:
Mixmosa
This is not a dating app with mindless swiping, Mixmosa says. Instead, it’s built for the purpose of connecting in real life.
There’s the speed dating dimension, where attendees can meet 7-15 singles on a mini date that’s just under 10 minutes. The next event is at coffee and cocktail spot, Turnstile on Feb. 20.
Then there’s the matchmaking aspect that’s in beta. It involves a questionnaire that asks about 100 questions on just about everything: your income, drug use, how many sex partners you’ve had in the past year, if you laugh a lot and take an interest in other people’s lives. Plus, some questions that are almost like a grammar quiz.
Mixmosa says this questionnaire was built from hundreds of cross-disciplinary relationship studies and helps with the 2,840 face-to-face dates they’ve organized so far. Within 48 hours of taking the questionnaire, Mixmosa will alert you if you’re eligible and you can then pay to meet someone, which they say acts as a filter for people who aren’t serious about dating.
Ilios
If you base compatibility on a potential partner’s sign, this app is for you.
Ilios, which launched in November, has the typical swipe left and right method on profiles. But it also includes a prominent display of Western, Eastern and Vedic astrology signs. Included is a compatibility score from zero to 100 that's based on signs and lifestyle approaches like politics, religion and family aspirations.
Plus, the app was made with Austin in mind. CEO Melanie Davidson previously told Austonia that people here are fun and open to new ideas.
"We think Austinites looking for a match beyond the superficial swipe will love ilios," Davidson said.
Bumble
For Bumble, you had better come prepared with the right conversation starters.
Marketing itself as a way for women to feel safe and take charge in their dating life, Bumble conversations revolve around first moves. So for heterosexual matches, women have 24 hours to send a message and after that the man has a day to respond. Either person in same-sex matches can send the first message, but the other person has a day to respond before the match expires.
It's an approach people have warmed up to. Since 2014, Bumble has reigned as one of the top dating apps with more than 100 million users.
The app also comes with ways to easily learn about people before matching, like with basic info badges where people can say what they're looking for, if they want kids and political beliefs. Meanwhile, interest badges cover a variety of topics like pets, sports, music and more.
Swoovy
(Pexels)
This app knocks out a classic dinner and movie date and instead matches people who can meet at a volunteer event.
To get started, you add photos of yourself and answer some questions about the maximum distance of your match, your family plans, hobbies and other interests.
There are also some prompts, known as "Swoovy starters" that are a fun way to get to know a match. Some examples include questions about what you'd create if you could make your own superpower or where you'd start if you had the power to save the world. But if you want to skip small talk, the app is currently testing out a new feature that allows you to video chat and voice call with matches.
Swoovy is based in Austin, but users can also try it out in Kyle, New Braunfels, San Antonio and a few other cities. Even if you don't find a match, the app has easy links to register for volunteer opportunities on your own.
SpeedAustin Dating
(Pexels)
If you're ready for a date literally tomorrow, this could be your best option.
SpeedAustin Dating hosts regular events, including a "Be My Valentine Bash" for different age groups this Monday. Tickets are slightly higher for the holiday, at $44.
Matchmaking packages are also offered and if you're interested—40% off flash sale is underway and it ends Feb. 16. So if you'd like an option on the more affordable side, the Simplify me package includes two pre-arranged date nights and complimentary admission to speed dating events for a limited time $297.
Or perhaps you're nervous about meeting new people or want advice on how to swoon the right person. There are also advice packages where you can get tips and guidance on dating.
Have a happy Valentine's!
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Jim Bays is taking the accidents out of dating with a billboard calling on the right woman. (Austonia)
The billboard popped up in November with a picture of Bays, clad in a plaid button-down and cowboy hat, reading “Wanted: A good woman, 50-55ish, for talks & walks & mutual acts of kindness,” and will be up until at least the end of December, possibly through January.
“It's not like when you were in high school and it's easy to meet somebody,” Bays told Austonia. “How do you meet somebody that's on the same page? How do you create the number of accidents that need to happen in order for you to meet somebody that you really mix well with?”
Twice divorced with five kids ranging from 12-41, Bays said he’s tried dating apps but found that they “involved too much game plan,” didn’t accurately portray the other party’s personality and that it was hard to coordinate meeting up with potential matches.
Already getting a fresh start in Texas after moving himself and his business from Washington state in June, the 66-year-old spec builder and contractor gathered up the courage to put himself back out there in a big way.Bays is busy, dating is time-consuming and putting up a billboard ad was a way to bring the matches to him without having to swipe.
“I'm glad that I've done it and believe me, it made my knees knock together,” Bays said. “I'm thinking about my picture on a billboard knowing full well that I'm going to get a complete range of phone calls.”
So what is a woman who calls in store for?
Though he wears cowboy attire on the billboard, you'll often catch Bays in athleisure after his workout. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
First and foremost, potential matches need to know that Bays is married to his job to a fault. Bays likes to keep busy and encourages those around him to do the same—he put his daughters in dance classes to “keep them out of trouble”—so working six days per week is common for him.
His rigorous work ethic is what he attributes to the end of his second marriage, which lasted 19 years, saying they drifted apart since he was so often gone. Bays doesn’t plan on making the same mistakes again.
“I wanted to get them involved in something that taught them how to work hard and get to be good at something. It also took them away from me when I had an opportunity because my projects own me until I'm done,” Bays said. “I think what happened was, I got my kids and my wife too busy and then they didn't have time for me when I had time because they were busy.”
He’s also an athlete—Bays has been running and going to the gym since he was 19 years old, so fitness is important to him. Bays knows who he is and what’s important to him, so he thinks his next relationship is going to stick.
“I’m busy but we're not intended to go through life alone,” Bays said. “Anybody who doesn't believe that, all they have to do is listen to that something inside them that constantly seems to be nudging them to go find somebody special.”
What kind of woman is Bays looking for?
Bays's ideal woman is kind, understanding and in it for the longhaul. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
So far, Bays has gone on four or five dates resulting from his billboard ad. Though the five dates he’s been on so far haven’t been that spark yet, he said he’s optimistic.
Growing up with a mother from Georgia, Bays enjoys the hospitality the south is known for, so he positioned the billboard away from cities and high-traffic areas. Bays said his ideal soulmate is loving, kind, encourages him in his endeavors, forgives him of his mistakes and understands stress.
“Somebody that has a shoulder where I can just lay my head down or a lap that I can lay my head down,” Bays said. “Somebody who says, ‘Don't worry, you're going to get through this. It'll be fine.’ I'd love to find somebody like that.”
Bays said it best when he remarked that “a woman doesn’t want to marry a boy,” so he knows that what he brings to the table is equally important. Bays likes a strong-willed, independent woman but said she needs to be capable of admitting her faults.
“My first wife, I loved her to death and she loved me too, but we were two generals in the house, two leaders in the house. We were always butting heads because of that,” Bays said. “I think my first wife married a boy. She wanted a man but she married a boy.”
Bays is still on the lookout for the woman of his dreams. Don’t worry too much about the age range—Bays is just looking for a woman who is younger than him. If the man of your dreams is strong, well-off, a family man and busy bee, look no further.
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