News-Record.com

When I recently saw the new rankings of cities for singles from Forbes.com, I had to laugh.

Beyond big cities, it seems, the magazine found little to say about opportunities and outlets for singles to get down and get together. (I also was pretty shocked Detroit made the list, having spent some time there as a teenager. Sure, it's a big place. But I doubt I'd move back there for the culture or nightlife.)

And not a single N.C. city made the list.

Now, I've made fun of the Triad before. And downtown Greensboro or Winston-Salem certainly isn't the meatpacking district. But I'd argue there's plenty for singles to do here - whether it's taking a short day trip, dining out or heading downtown at night.

Sure, I've struggled to meet interesting guys. But it's not as though there's a lack of places to chat up new people - I've met men at the bowling alley, out at clubs in downtown Greensboro, shopping over at FantaCity, while grabbing drinks with friends at casual downtown restaurants and sometimes when I'm running around for work.

And my friends who live in larger cities can't necessarily say the same. Just last weekend I was chatting with a friend up in New York - one of the highly-ranked Forbes cities - who always describes herself as being in a city of millions where individual people just don't talk.

If you were making an (unscientific) list, how would the Triad's cities rank as digs for singles? What factors would go into your decision?