Forbes has updated their mathematical romantic hipness analysis for 2008, and science has spoken: Seattle is the sixth best place to be a single (and thereby, ostensibly, a dater) in the United States! Their variables: "number of singles, nightlife, culture, cost of living alone, job growth, online dating activity and coolness." Coolness was measured, naturally, via poll. The #1 figuratively hottest place to be a single in our great nation is Atlanta, GA.

Seattle outranked both New York City (#8, so consider scratching your plans for moving to Manhattan) and Austin (#14, unless you're in a band). Dallas is a better place to be a single person, coming in at #3, though the flat side of living in Dallas is that you have to live in Dallas. (Sorry, Texas! Don't beat us up!)

Forbes offers this caveat: "Our methodology focuses on career-minded, 'never-marrieds' under the age of 35. Older singles, divorcees, widows, and widowers might find slightly different criteria more relevant to them." Gay people will also need to find a different list.

In other words, if you're the right kind of single, Seattle's a great place to be dating. But if you're slightly damaged goods, as are most people, you should probably move to someplace uncool like Portland (#29) or Jacksonville (dead last at #40) if you ever want to get a date for Saturday night.