Key Takeaways

There’s a common assumption that people want to — and must — slow down in their old age. But this is far from a universal truth, according to a recent study by dating platform DateMyAge, which is part of Social Discovery Group. 

Contrary to popular belief, some people aged 45+ have an adventurous streak when it comes to dating. 

Older daters are willing to pack their bags and travel to a new country in the name of love, the study finds. The study also found that 65% of surveyed older daters would be willing to travel to a different country for a first date. And 23% said they would travel at least 4,000 miles to meet up with someone they matched with on a dating app. 

Instead of hemming and hawing over big life decisions, some older people are embracing spontaneity, according to DateMyAge. One-third of those surveyed said they would buy a plane ticket to meet someone in another country, even within just three days of meeting them online. 

Clearly, older generations are not about to allow international travel to stop them from making romantic connections. In fact, 46% said they would pick up and move abroad if it meant finding love with someone they met online. And 72% of DateMyAge users are willing to learn a new language if it means successfully communicating with their partner. 

Adventurous seniors, however, can’t do any of this if they don’t feel welcome on the dating apps known for fostering exciting, spontaneous matches, like Tinder or Hinge. 

Single Seniors Want Welcoming And Invigorating Dating Platforms

Dating platforms that encourage adventure and exploration could have an unexpected edge with older daters looking for a new partner. 

“Many seniors are active with life, community involvement, dating, and staying busy,” Alex Kudos, CMO for Social Discovery Group, wrote in Forbes. “There’s a unique opportunity to empower them by acknowledging their ability to make informed choices and pursue their interests.” 

Match and eHarmony are the most popular dating platforms used by people 50+, most likely because they’re marketed toward people of all ages, unlike apps like Tinder and Hinge. SeniorMatch, OurTime, and DateMyAge are geared specifically toward senior daters, but they’re only a few options in a sea of dating apps. 

“Don’t underestimate the digital literacy and engagement of older adults,” Kudos advised. 

Not every senior wants to settle into their golden years with a good book and an amiable companion; some want passion, adventure, and invigoration. This is especially true considering how prevalent loneliness is among senior citizens.

Dating platforms that cater specifically to older generations by emphasizing spontaneity and adventure could have long-lasting benefits, and not only for the industry. Loneliness is common among older people who have been widowed, or who no longer live near their families. When the University of Michigan surveyed adults aged 50-80 in 2023, 1 in 3 reported feeling isolated from others. This number has increased since 2018, partly because of the pandemic, and partly because the number of single seniors is rising in the U.S. In 2020, Pew Research found that 36% of surveyed adults older than 65 are single. 

Some Older Daters Crave Intimacy Just As Much As Companionship

Dating industry professionals may assume that our elders have no interest in modern apps or dating platforms, but this isn’t entirely true. Pew Research found that 1 in 6 Americans aged 50+ have used a dating site or app at one point, and nearly half of adults in the same age bracket may have done so because they were in search of their next great long-term love. 

Thirty-six percent, meanwhile, said they would prefer to date on a casual basis. Whichever kind of relationship they’re looking for, some turn to the apps for help finding it. After all, some elders aren’t only looking for loving companionship, but for intimacy as well. 

The University of Michigan conducted a poll and found that 54% of couples between the ages of 64 and 80 reported being sexually active in 2018. With more than half of single seniors looking for their next emotional and physical match, it’s no wonder some seniors are willing to travel overseas to find the right person. 

Gone are the days where single seniors simply stayed home. With apps like DateMyAge, OurTime, and SeniorMatch holding up the niche senior dating industry, there may be room for another platform — one that combines a young person’s stamina with an older person’s experience.