Best dating sites for people over 40 (and one we hate)

Dating beyond 40 may seem intimidating. Unlike your 20s or 30s, you can't assume everyone your age is single and looking. While meeting people organically in public still happens, it can be easier to meet potential partners where they're actively seeking a romantic connection — on dating sites. Read on for the best dating apps for people over 40, plus tips on how to get back in the dating game.

How to start dating again at 40

The first step is just acknowledging that you're ready. From there, decide how and where you'd like to meet potential partners. Dating apps have become the norm over the years, making them a standard choice rather than a last resort.

You'll also want to be direct with what you're looking for. Are you interested in a serious relationship, a casual encounter, or perhaps a friendship that could evolve into something more? Whatever it is, be upfront. You don't want to fall for someone only to realize you aren't looking for the same thing. Yes, it's more vulnerable to say exactly what you want, but being straightforward from the outset is the new dating norm.

As in any phase of life, dating takes time and patience. We spoke to Jennifer Frazier, a 46-year-old based in Indiana, who met someone awesome on Match. They went on a few dates, and she really liked him, but he was interested in dating a lot of women at the same time, and though Frazier enjoyed his company, she realized that kind of relationship wasn't for her.

What are the best dating apps for over 40?

The best dating site varies depending on what you're looking for. If you want something serious, match has 25 years of experience to help you find someone compatible who is also looking for a serious relationship. eharmony also specializes in serious relationships, but the site is really for people who want to marry their next partner, so it's taking serious to the highest level. Though, Frazier had a pretty shitty experience with eharmony — after the extensive questionnaire, she was matched with a coworker's husband (yikes). While you would hope everyone on dating apps is single, you still want to pay attention to obvious red flags.

Casual daters and people who don't want to jump into anything too serious just yet should utilize Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble. OKCupid is best for liberals and the LGBTQ community. There is a dating site for everybody; finding the one that strikes gold for you might take some time.

Finally, after extensive reviews of the top dating apps, we recommend that singles over 40 avoid Zoosk and Our Time, two apps that didn't make the cut. (Check out the "How we tested" section below for more information on our selection criteria.)

Most dating sites and apps have free versions, so you can test them without fully committing. To ensure our top picks are readily available to users, we made sure they were available on both Google Play and the App Store. Here's a breakdown of our top picks for the best online dating site for people 40 and older:

COntributer : Mashable https://ift.tt/sO1vc9d