Dating over 60: how to meet someone new and enjoy it

Plenty of people find themselves single again in their sixties, after a divorce, the death of a partner or simply years of putting work and family first. The idea of dating can feel strange after so long, and the way people meet has changed. The good news is that later-life dating has its own advantages: you know what matters to you, you have stories to share and you are rarely in a hurry. This guide walks you through where to meet people, how online dating over 60 works, what to write about yourself and how to plan a first date that both of you will enjoy.

Is it too late to start dating over 60?

It is never too late to start dating over 60, and many people find later-life dating more relaxed than it was at thirty. Nobody needs to prove anything any more. You can say plainly that you would like someone to go to the theatre with, share Sunday lunch with or travel with, and the right person will be glad you did.

Some people want a partner to live with, others prefer company a few times a week while keeping their own home. Both are perfectly good reasons to date, and so is friendship that may or may not turn into something more. Being clear with yourself about which one you hope for makes every later step easier.

Where can you meet people when dating over 60?

The best places to meet people are the ones where you would happily spend time anyway. Independent Age, the older people's charity, suggests trying a hobby or a group activity as one way to meet new people. A walking group, a choir, a bridge club, an evening class or a few hours of volunteering each week will widen your circle, and friendships made there sometimes turn into more.

The trouble with chance meetings is that you rarely know who is single, or who is hoping to meet someone. That is why so many people in their sixties now combine the two: a club or class for the social life, and a dating site to see who is free and looking.

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How does online dating over 60 work?

Online dating over 60 works in a few simple steps, and you can take each one at your own speed. Age UK describes it well: you create a profile with some pictures and basic details such as your age and where you live, add a little about your interests and the kind of relationship you would like, and set who you would like to meet, for example an age range or how far you are happy to travel.

After that you look through other members' profiles and start chatting with anyone who catches your eye. On Forever Match Senior you also get new suggestions every day, based on your age range, distance and interests, and a few messages a day are free. You use it in your usual web browser, on whichever phone, tablet or computer you like, without installing anything.

What should you write on a dating profile in your 60s?

A good dating profile in your 60s is short, specific and warm. Start with a recent photo where your face is clear and you are smiling, ideally taken outdoors in daylight; one or two more pictures doing something you love are a bonus. Leave out old photos and group shots where nobody can tell which one is you.

In the words, describe an ordinary good day rather than a list of adjectives. "I walk the dog along the river most mornings and I am happiest with a crossword and a pot of coffee" says far more than "kind, honest, fun". Say what you hope to find, whether that is a companion for days out or a partner for the years ahead, and keep anything about past relationships for a later conversation.

What makes a good first date after 60?

A good first date after 60 is short, in daylight and somewhere easy to talk. A tea room, a garden centre café, a museum or a walk along a seafront or through a park all work well, because there is something to look at when the conversation pauses and either of you can stay longer if it is going well.

Agree on a time and a place a day or two ahead, travel there and back under your own steam, and tell a friend or relative where you are going, as Age UK suggests. Do not worry if there is no spark on the first meeting. Many good relationships in later life start as a pleasant hour over tea and grow from there.

Should you tell your family you are dating again?

Telling your family you are dating again is usually kinder than letting them find out, and you can keep it light. Grown-up children are often more supportive than people expect, though some may need a little time, especially if they are still missing a parent. You do not need their permission, and you do not have to share details of every date.

Friends can help in practical ways too. Ask one of them to look at your profile before it goes live, and to be the person who knows where you are on the day of a first meeting.

How do you stay safe dating online over 60?

You stay safe dating online over 60 with a few habits that soon become second nature. Age UK warns about people who avoid video calls or meeting in person, push to move the chat to another platform very quickly, shower you with affection and declare love early on, or ask for money. Never send money or bank details to someone you have not met, and keep your home address to yourself until you know a person well.

The Federal Trade Commission in the US puts it just as plainly: never send cash, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency to an online love interest. Age UK also suggests putting a person's name or profile photos into a search engine together with the words "dating scam". On Forever Match Senior a blocked member can no longer write to you, a profile can be reported in two clicks, and you get a warning if someone tries to move the chat to WhatsApp or similar.

If you are worried, Age UK's free Advice Line on 0800 678 1602 is open from 8am to 7pm every day. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can report romance fraud to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, in Scotland to Police Scotland on 101, and in the US to the Federal Trade Commission.

Why choose Forever Match Senior for dating over 60?

Forever Match Senior is made for singles over 60: every member is there to meet someone, and each profile says whether that person hopes for friendship, company or a relationship. Nobody else sees more than the username you choose and your nearest town.

Joining is free. Without paying you get a profile with photos, fresh suggestions every day, the free ID check, a handful of messages daily and, once you are verified, the group chat rooms. VIP is optional and lifts the daily message limit: in the UK it costs £18.49 for a week or £24.95 for a month, and in the US $24.99 for a week or $39.95 for a month. A twelve-month plan is paid once and does not renew.

Join free and meet singles over 60