UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#5. San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas, could be the backdrop of your next romantic story. Dozens of films, television shows, commercials and music videos have been filmed here, including Steve McQueen’s The Getaway and the Friday Night Lights series. Picturesque scenes found at the spring fed San Marcos River, the ponds at Texas State University or nearby Canyon Lake make great settings for romantic strolls.
Singles in San Marcos will find they outnumber married people, and while there is a large college population, there are plenty of residents ranging between 21 and 35. The use of online dating sites and apps by San Marcos residents isn’t as prevalent as it is in some of the other cities on this list, but still surpasses the national average. This helps make San Marcos one of the best cities for singles. Singles in San Marcos also tend to go out dancing, play pool and visit nightclubs on a more frequent basis than most Americans. While an assortment of dance halls, bars and restaurants in San Marcos offer many things to do, many residents make the 30-minute drive north to Austin for even more entertainment options.
Neighborhoods in San Marcos present a variety of living styles and price points. San Marcos residents have access to more than 1,200 acres of parkland and open space, which make it easy to enjoy the outdoors, especially with the average temperature hovering around 70 degrees. Among the favored activities during the summer months is tubing down the river, which starts near the center of town. San Marcos was picked as one of the best water cities in the country. There are several active Meetup groups in and around San Marcos, which help newcomers get acquainted with what San Marcos has to offer. One of the most popular Meetup spots in San Marcos is Root Cellar Cafe, which serves breakfast until 4 p.m. and includes a brew pub pumping out great beer.