Dating is hard everywhere. But in Charlotte, singles say it comes with its own set of frustrations.

Why it matters: Charlotte's dating disconnect reflects a broader shift: apps make dating easier to access, but meaningful connections harder to find.

By the numbers: Charlotte ranked No. 130 out of more than 180 cities in a recent WalletHub analysis of the best places for singles.

• The rankings reflect 35 metrics, including the share of the population that is single, access to the internet, and restaurants and gyms per capita.

Between the lines: Some dating frustrations are about how people live, move and connect here.

• Many singles say it's hard to date when so many people are new, transient, or unsure how long they'll stay.
• Others argue dating apps have created a sense of constant abundance, where someone "better" is always a swipe away, leading people to keep browsing instead of investing.

Charlotte's dating dilemma, decoded — and how some are trying to fix it.

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Assistant Finance Director at Town of Matthews.
2. Senior Accountant at Charlotte Country Club.
3. Middle School Reading/Writing Teacher at The Fletcher School, Inc.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Dating in Charlotte is rough. So rough, some younger daters are paying nearly $10K to skip the apps.

Why it matters: One local matchmaker hopes her services will help younger singles survive a burnout-heavy dating scene and challenge the idea that matchmakers are only for older, seasoned daters."

Meet 35-year-old Rachael Ogilvie — she's the founder of Charlotte-based matchmaking service, Better Matchmaking.

Catch up quick: Originally from Toronto, Ogilvie moved to Charlotte and launched her own firm last summer, after two years at a major matchmaking company.

Yes, but: This level of intention comes at a price. Her three-introduction packages start around $10,000.

• Most clients begin at that tier, she says, though the overall investment can shift.
• She also runs a free singles pool that anyone can join, which she uses to find potential matches for her clients.

Ogilvie's hot takes on why dating apps aren't cutting it

🎤 Hilary Duff is bringing her world tour to Charlotte, performing at Truliant Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 1. Pre-sale tickets start Feb. 17. (Livenation)

🍖 Midwood Smokehouse is launching a $52 Texas Tray at its Central Avenue location on Monday. It's served with ribs, brisket, sausage links, Texas toast, two large sides and pickled veggies.

🍷 Mimosa Grill will host its annual wine dinner with New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov March 3. Tickets start at $125.

🐶 Pet nutrition company Pet Wants has expanded to Uptown with a new storefront at One South.

Some heartbreaks get dissected in the group chat. For Charlotte author Alissa DeRogatis, one turned into a novel — and launched her career.

Why it matters: Modern dating is messy, and Charlotte hasn't been spared.

• It's fitting that one of the city's biggest breakout novels centers on a situationship — an almost-relationship stuck somewhere between "just talking" and something real.

Catch up quick: Her 2023 self-published novel, "Call It What You Want," follows college senior Sloane Hart, who stays tethered to her neighbor Ethan Brady for years without ever defining the relationship.

• While the characters are fictional, DeRogatis says a past situationship inspired her to write "Call It What You Want."
• The novel went viral on TikTok's BookTok community and has since racked up more than 35,000 reviews on Goodreads.

State of play: The 29-year-old UNC Charlotte alumna has another novel on the way.

Share this with your book club

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• Webinar: How to Buy Your First Home in Charlotte Feb 17: Buying your first home in CLT doesn't have to be stressful. Get a step-by-step plan from a local expert. It will cover mortgages, offers, the due diligence process, and much more. Sign up free.
• 2-Night Farm Stay at Juneberry Ridge Feb 20-22: Unplug on a 750-acre regenerative farm. Enjoy a two-night all-inclusive stay with hands-on farm experiences, seasonal meals, and time to rest and reconnect with nature. $900+.
• Mozart 360 at Booth Playhouse Feb 20-21: Gather around the Orchestra for a deep dive into the music of Mozart in this intimate, in-the-round concert. Gain a rare, up-close perspective on the music and the musicians who bring it to life. $35.
• Elvis Party and IMAX Screening at Discovery Place Science Feb 20: Slip into your blue suede shoes for a one-night-only Elvis blowout featuring a live DJ and Elvis karaoke, themed cocktails and a screening of the just-released "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert."

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Love is alive and well — at least for these married Charlotte couples.

Zoom in: We decided to ask the couples who've made it past the dating phase to share where it all began. For many, it showed up in the most unexpected places, from local coffee shops to museums.

Their love stories might offer a few fresh ideas on where you could find your life partner.

• "I met my husband, Paul, in 2010 at the Target in Blakeney." — Jillian W.
• "My now husband found me by searching with two criteria: college-educated and within 5 miles of 28202. Good thing I lived right outside of Uptown," — Laura-Nelle H.
• "I met my wife in the mid-eighties at the old Cellar on Morehead Street." — Mark S.
• "We were working at Carowinds when we met!" — Stan and Donna R.

All the places spouses say they've found their forever person

Dating in Charlotte may not be for the faint of heart, but the stories above prove it's not all doom and gloom.

• If you're single and looking to meet someone new, we've rounded up dating events happening over the next month (no Valentine's Day weekend pressure required).

💌 Tuesday, Feb. 17: 40+ speed dating with Connecting Charlotte. | Bonnie & Clyde's (South Charlotte) | 6:30pm | $30 | Tickets

🌈 Tuesday, Feb. 17: Gay singles mixer with Charlotte Together. | Seoul Food Mill District | 6:30pm | Free (or donation) | Tickets

🏀 Thursday, Feb. 19: Hornets singles mixer in partnership with Single and Dating CLT. | Spectrum Center | 5pm doors; 6:30pm tipoff. | $56.78 | Tickets

☕️ Saturday, Feb. 21: Coffee shop speed dating (25-40) with Jigsaw Dating. | Coffee Republic Uptown | 3-5pm | $24.99 | Tickets

⚡️ Friday, Feb. 27: Speed dating with Queen City Romantics. | Urban District Market | 7-10pm | $28 | Tickets

🤠 Wednesday, Mar. 11: Singles line dancing and bingo at Nickyo's Rodeo with Single and Dating CLT. | 7:30pm | $18 | Tickets

🪩 Thursday, Mar. 12: Singles house party with Thursday Dating. | Sip City | 7:30pm | $20 | Tickets

And for more ways to meet people "in the wild," check out our guide to Charlotte's 30+ best social clubs.