American singles are tired of the way things are going in the United States. Accordingly, they are more frequently using dating apps to search for foreign partners and find love internationally. Freed of bombastic rhetoric and partisan division, this trend is indicative of a larger longing for a more cohesive society and more meaningful quality of life. Contrary to other narratives, major cities like New York and Los Angeles are still dating hotspots. More than ever, young daters are venturing beyond the border, falling in love with British accents, the Olympic hustle and bustle of Paris and Tokyo’s romantic allure.
Canada has become a top destination for American daters looking for love—and a backup plan. In particular, people are choosing to engage in short-term international affairs with Canada and Mexico. MapleMatch, the dating app that connects Americans with Canadians, has become wildly popular. No doubt this interest has especially surged since Donald Trump’s re-nomination. MapleMatch has experienced a flurry of interest, adding more than 5,500 new users since November. Impressively, over 1,000 of those users logged in on Election Day itself.
39-year-old educator from Arizona, one of the first to take the dive. She switched her location to Toronto before the 2024 election and described her experience as “a breath of fresh air compared to the chaos we’ve got going on in the U.S. now.” Coverdale’s decision attests to the tremendous surge of American singles. They need partners who can align with their values and provide them a more stable playing field.
As Americans swipe right on Canadian profiles, bios such as “Looking for love and an exit strategy” and “Will marry for health care and emotional stability” are becoming increasingly common. As Tinder’s Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Hobley told us, users are choosing to be deliberate in how they approach their dating lives.
“Singles are embracing intentionality in their dating lives — being upfront about what they want and refusing to settle,” – Melissa Hobley.
Hobley was quick to stress that these trends equip people with the resources to pursue lifestyles they prefer. Most importantly, the use of Tinder’s “passport” feature has exploded during the pandemic, allowing users to search for matches well beyond their geographic bubble.
Channa Bromley, a Canadian relationship coach, commented on the intersection between political stability and dating dynamics.
“When a country feels unstable, so does the dating pool,” – Channa Bromley.
She told me that it’s common for people from smaller U.S. towns to seek Canadian partners. They’re looking for someone who aligns with their politics and generally overall vibe.
“They live in a small town in the U.S., they don’t have anybody around, and they’re hoping that maybe somebody in Canada might share their political perspective or view on how lives should be lived,” – Jakub Krechowicz.
This is not the first wave of romantic relocation, but this current wave is particularly shaped by political forces. Canadian immigration officials are warning the public to beware of “quickie marriages” or “marriages of convenience.” These rushed marriages often result in significant legal consequences for all parties to the litigation.
MapleMatch’s December snapshot shows that Canada and Mexico are leading the charge on this cross-border dating phenomenon. This October, many singles are looking for more than just romance — they’re looking for free healthcare too! Consequently, these countries have emerged as attractive alternatives for those seeking refuge from political unrest.
Leave a Reply