Dating apps are igniting long distance romance

A desire for privacy, giving each other space, exploring new cities together – young couples have many reasons to connecting across geographical borders for love

Sayali, who hails from the town of Chandrapur near Nagpur, would always get into trouble at home if she was seen speaking to someone from the opposite gender. “All my relatives are in Chandrapur, and if they got to know I was meeting someone, it would become the talking point in family circles. So, I finally expanded my search radius to 200 km on the dating app I was using. About three years ago, I matched with someone who lives in Nagpur, which is about 150 km away. The distance helped us keep our relationship private,” Sayali, 26, told us.

Sayali is not alone. Survey figures from dating apps show that people are increasing their geographical boundaries to find matches. This stems from an inclination to challenge conventional norms related to ethnicity, culture, and geographical limitations, apart from concerns about privacy. Take the example of a girl from Bhubaneswar, who has recently started dating someone from Delhi, about 2,000 km away. “We crossed paths on a dating app while I was vacationing in Delhi. Matching with someone from a different city was a conscious decision for me. A different city equates to a lifestyle that’s more in sync with my independence," says the 26-year-old, who did not want to be named.

EXPLORING LOCAL CUISINES TOGETHER

According to Bumble’s Modern Romance report, couples love to explore new cities and local cuisines together, which has become a cornerstone of their relationship. “We love exploring Nagpur, indulging in the famous tarri poha for breakfast. We also visit cafes and explore the city’s iconic spots together," shares Sayali.

The Bhubaneswar resident also speaks about exploring cities with her partner. “In Delhi, we explore local markets and parks, art installations, and savour momos and other delicacies together," she adds.

"Ever since we met on Tinder, we have relocated to different cities for education and work. We both would rather spend a few days together in 6 months rather than all the time with someone else. The fun and interesting part is that since we’re in a long-distance relationship, we always must come up with new ideas and things to express our love", explains Dattavi, who has been dating Vikas for the past four years.

DATA SHOWS MORE COUPLES ARE FINDING LOVE AWAY FROM HOME

- OkCupid data reveals interactions across cities surged nearly 50% among singles since the onset of the pandemic

- Over 1.5 million users expressED willingness to match with individuals from different cities on OkCupid

- 33% of users are ready to travel beyond their hometowns for relationships, Bumble found

- Tinder also observed a 12% year-on-year increase in users seeking connections outside their geographical comfort zones

REASONS FOR SEEKING LOVE FAR AWAY

·Independence

·To stop family members from interfering

·Respecting boundaries

·Exploring different cultures and cities

By connecting with people outside their immediate social circles, those on dating apps are challenging long-standing views of ethnicity, culture, and geographical restrictions. This trend has increased interracial, inter-religious, and international relationships, indicating a growing acceptance of diversity
Aahana Dhar, Director of Communications, Tinder India



There is always so much to explore in a new city, especially with your new connection. I suggest couples plan fun dates and explore the city. This way you can get to know each other’s preferences and interests
Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director, Bumble