The 2006 rankings for the Best Cities for Singles are out Each year Forbes.com ranks the 40 largest metropolitan areas in America and evaluates them based on "nightlife, culture, job growth, number of other singles, cost of living alone, online dating, and coolness." So let's get to the bottom line first. How did Phoenix do? Well, in 2005 the greater Phoenix area was ranked 14 out of 40. Not bad. In 2006, Phoenix moved up a whopping 11 spots to #3! Judging from the rankings, it seems that a new stadium, more bars and restaurants, good prospects for job growth, and more singles moving to town have fueled our meteoric rise!
Here are the specific rankings for Phoenix in the various categories.
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Singles
The number of singles is based on the percentage of a metro's population above the age of 15 that has never been married.
Rank 2005 --> 30
Rank 2006 --> 12
Nightlife
Nightlife is based on the number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs per capita.
Rank 2005 --> 19
Rank 2006 --> 2
Culture
Number of museums, pro sports teams and live theater and concert venues per capita, as well as the university population.
Rank 2005 --> 12
Rank 2006 --> 1
Coolness
Diversity, and number of creative workers (i.e. those whose jobs require creativity, such as artists, scientists, teachers and musicians).
Rank 2005 --> 26
Rank 2006 --> 13
Online Dating
Number of active profiles per capita on the dating site, Match.Com.
Rank 2005 --> not ranked in 2005
Rank 2006 --> 18
Cost Of Living Alone
Average cost of a metro area's apartment rent, a Pizza Hut pizza, a movie ticket and a six-pack of Heineken.
Rank 2005 --> 4
Rank 2006 --> 7
Job Growth
The projected percentage of job growth over the next five years.
Rank 2005 --> 10
Rank 2006 --> 5
To see the entire survey, visit Forbes.com online.
