What’s your love and relationship problem?
Ask Meredith at Love Letters. Yes, it’s anonymous.
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This column asks for your stories and questions – and it relies on you sharing with me. That seems like a fair exchange.
With that in mind :): Send your questions about your relationship life through the anonymous form – or email [email protected].
Meredith,
Hi! Been really enjoying reading the posts since discovering Love Letters a few months ago. I’m curious about your opinion on how distance affects dating. I’m 27 and I moved to a city about 45 minutes from Boston back in January.
I really love it here so far, but I’m running into the same problem a lot when going on dates with women in Boston. I love going to the city for dates and I have a lot of friends who live there so I’m there all the time. However, after meeting girls in Boston and going on a few dates, I find I’m not sure how to balance going to see them in the city and them coming up to my area to visit me. I think it may affect how viable a relationship would be with someone living in the city, too, especially since a lot of people I see don’t have cars or a driver’s license. I have my car, and I’m always happy to go into the city after work to see people, but is it unrealistic for me to be seeing people in Boston while living in a commuter ride away (or anywhere kind of outside the immediate vicinity of the city)? Or do you think that it can work?
I like to think it can work since I don’t mind driving/paying for parking, but I recognize it has to be a pain for a person who can’t drive to feel like they have to come to my area to see me. Would love to hear what you think, thanks!
– Out of Town
Readers: I removed the name of this letter writer’s city to make sure the question is anonymous. But I’ll say … the place is very scenic and by water, and while it is not an easy drive (lots of twists and turns, and not right off the highway), it is a fairly easy commuter rail stop away, once you get to North Station.
For the letter writer: there are many people in Boston who would love to get out of town for beautiful sights, great food, and sweet company. It’s kind of a dream, actually, to have a place to go – at least until you get serious with someone, and the two of you wish you could be together every night.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
I do think that the first few dates with someone might require you being in Boston, because it’s central and allows women to know they’re not stuck anywhere.
After that, I’d invite someone up for a day trip or an early dinner. The thing about where you live is that it is easier for a sleepover, especially after the commuter rail trains stop running. You’ll want to make sure everyone is ready for that and comfortable with the way it could look.
I do believe finding love in Boston is possible, and that your location might be helpful to your dating experiences. You’ll have to meet women who are intentional about planning. In a situationship world, it might make things feel less fuzzy and passive. It forces people to say, “I’m seeing you tonight person because I want to.” There might be less dates, but better ones.
Also remember: there are single people in your community, too. Many commute to Boston but live right down the street. Don’t rule them out.
– Meredith
Readers? If you live in Boston, how far out would you go? On what lines? Would it be appealing to meet someone who requires a 45-minute trip?
Ask questions about dates, no dates, love, divorce, breakups, getting back out there, in-law drama, or whatever, through the anonymous form – or email [email protected].
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