The up side is that at 50 you are self sufficient. You don't NEED anyone, so if you choose to be around someone, it is a compliment in itself.

I feel your pain. No seriously. Widowed at 48, after 15+ years of marriage. About as lost in that game as could be. Lovers are wonderful, but friends save the day. If we are very lucky we may have both.

Yep, a nightmare...but not because of religion, in my experience. Biggest problem I see is that men over 50 still want to date 30 year olds. They assume that women their age are no longer interested in sex (wrong) and that they may have a few extra pounds (but their pot bellies are okay). Or they have numerous health problems and they're looking for someone to take care of them and remind them to take their pills...
Not bitter...just a bit disheartened by what I'm seeing.

oh i sooooooo agree with you. the ones that annoy me most are the ones looking for a nurse with a purse.

You nailed it! Its zombie land. And good luck even finding someone in good enough shape to take a walk in a park - despite the zillion sports they supposedly participate in. The topics of conversation always seem to devolve to 3 things - their health, their food fetishes, and their ex. Rinse and repeat. I mean, you've been on the earth 50 plus years and that's all you have to talk about? How boring.

Sorry its a bit difficult for you. I'm beating women off with a shitty stick.

...OK that last bit was a lie

Ha!
You're killing me with these posts!
Suggestion: Singles, over 50, cruise.
Several of our single acquaintances have had success meeting folks this way.
WTF! It's at least a good vacation!

haha! It is brutal out there....I am an actual care giver, which makes relationships difficult. I am at the point now that I feel that 'alone time' is fine by me. I live in a pretty 'liberal' city, so republicans aren't really a problem, but the women I meet all seem to be trying to recapture their youth by partying, or are the 'living for the weekend' type...9-5 five days a week, complain about work, bust loose on the weekend, suffer on monday, repeat...I am 49...so maybe things will change in 8 months...hehe

This is the truthiest truth that ever truthed. Not quite fifty (but only a matter of months to go). I find they’re all religious, unemployed or married (and yeah, hard pass on anything resembling potential drama thanks)
Add to that my peculiar preference for interesting and intelligent conversationalist and the well is DRY!
It’s so damn disappointing.

You have me laughing out loud here reading your post. Do you know the song '' Don't sit under the Apple tree ''. ? they're either too young or too old, either too gray or too grassy green, the best are in the Army, the rest will never harm me, they are either too fast or too fast asleep, '''' and so on. I used to sing it during WW2 when it was popular. So did The Andrew Sisters

There are MANY THINGS worse than a gay friend and a new vibrator! Vibrators don't care if you toss them aside for a month and they don't nag you to use them in ways you don't like!

Gay BFs will go to sappy movies with you and will trash your last love object and they'll even make a cake for your birthday!

Dating after 50 actually depends on your perception of yourself as well as your perception of others. I'm 88 and see no dating problems, period. I see many men and women over 50 enjoying life, and dating too. I have many friends of both sexes who enjoying life to the utmost. And that includes me. My life couldn't be better, and I see no shortage of nice ladies to date. I'm not well off financially, average looking, have no special talents, and yet I'm very happy. If you're unhappy with your social life maybe you should ask your friends to offer suggestions about helping your social life, and then really listen to what they say. You may find your life changing for the better in a hurry!

In my experience, dating has always been a nightmare. It’s awkward and unnatural. The few people I’ve had relationships with were all people I met while just going about my daily life. I met my former husband at a music store where he worked. I met my last boyfriend at the office where we were both working. I met another past partner at the library, another at an art opening. And then we just started chatting and hanging out and the rest was history. The problem with being older is that I don’t really go out much, and the people I work with are all a lot younger than me so the opportunity doesn’t present itself. Which leaves online dating... and, sadly, that has been a complete fail (although not surprising, considering my history - see above).

Younger men can keep up with you both mentally & physically if you give them a chance. I am now dating a guy older than i...he is 73, I will be 70 in July) and while he makes me laugh a lot, he can be a bit stuck in the mud...for example, I want to try fake bull riding, there is a place only about 3 hours away, and it appears I will be going in the RV with just the dogs. Like there isn't a few other things we could do while in Boston.......

You poor thing, you just live in the wrong place.

@ Crimson67, So True. Well put. After 60 doesn't seem like it gets easier either. LOL

Starting to suspect that dating is ALWAYS a nightmare. We just process the experience after 50 with sufficient insight so that we now recognize the nightmare aspect. Also, most of us are coming out of situations where we thought we were beyond dating. And now the reality is that we have to take it on again. ick. Wish there were better ways to identify, connect, bond with the next person to who will be significantly into our lives.

I wouldn't know. I couldn't get a date if I were the last man on earth. Mostly because I'm only interested in men, so there's that. But I haven't done a lot of dating. In fact, the only guy to recently ask me out only did so after the telephone pole turned him down.

I'm in my late-ish 40's (47) and it's a nightmare. Every guy who approaches me expects sex within the first 10 minutes but always says he wanta to "take it slow". Translation: I'd like to browse Tinder while I simultaneously have your legs up in the air.

P.S. I'm not on Tinder. I also put it out there that I am a relationship girl. Not a FWB type.

The only guy who message me who seem nice also seem to be predominantly Christian, and place importance in their faith. It's very disheartening. I tend to unplug for long stretches of time. Then I get curious if the landscape has changed. I poke my head out; get discouraged again and retreat.

I haven't given up. I just stopped looking a long time ago. Oh; and people who say you'll find live as soon as you stop looking...they need to come up with some better advice.

Hahaha! Yes, I’d second everything you said. Even decades ago, my sister and I decided all the good guys were either gay or married.

I never did do well with dating, anyway — never quite knew why, but it may have had to do with not knowing how to flirt — or how to notice or respond to someone else’s flirt. And right now, this is the closest I’ve come to putting myself out there in years. I don’t know how to date. Even when I was younger, I apparently just attracted guys who wanted someone else to earn a paycheck and raise the kids they already had. And absolutely the “nurse with a purse” is a huge issue.

Wish I had a cure, but all I can say is that I totally understand. And yes, a vibrator really CAN be your best friend.

U kidding me ? Who cares if we r near 50 or after 50 or whatever . Different ages different troubles . I drive near an hr and half to work ( by choice ) when I work . Listening to music and thanking self for surviving to be near 50. I heard my patients say often , " oh I ll give an arm and a leg to be 20 again , even 30, easier to find true love ". I say keep the arm and the leg , u gonna need it ma'am / sir ?Our age came w wisdom . Experiences . We are more selective hopefully . That's all . And we have learned to be happily alone if we have to , instead of lonely . The easiest thing in the world , to find someone to date , especially if u r a woman . Just put a sign " available .." but who has energy for this or time ! Dating , companion , love , is even better at our age I think . Bcz we r better . Or at least we know r selves better . We have kissed hopefully all the frogs and lizards already ?And we have no need for Prince either ! Win / win situation ! Smile and stay alive . The ones that are not for u or for me , none to do bcz of r age . Just not for us . Especially if rebuplicans !!! ???

"Is it just me, or is dating after 50 a nightmare?"
When it happens, I will offer my experiences for your perusal. But it ain't. The void stares back. It yawns and tells me to stop wasting my time.

I just turned 70, he is 73. We plan on taking ballroom dance lessons starting next week (hilarious because I am the biggest klutz you will ever meet, and outweigh him by about 100 lbs). We go to karaoke several times a week. I chose him over a 52-year old. I do not think we will ever live together.....set in my ways, I want the remote! Yes to the vibrator too! And gay friends are Great! All I wanted, really was a guy to hang out with.....i worked alongside men most of my life.....But, It is, most times, the exact same feeling like we are 22....which i find amazing! Maybe even better because time could be short. I know how very very lucky i am............

So you think your age is a problem? Try being 88 in here! I understand that people look at my age and put me in a rocking chair in a nursing home. And I understand it too, but THAT AIN’T ME! I’m in great shape, go dancing at least once a week, exercise, eat right, can still do it all, but I think people look at my age and don’t bother checking out my profile or my posts. I think I have a lot to offer but I guess that’s life so I’ll just try to wear my patience shirt. It’s STILL a good life!

You think it's tough after 50? Try it when you're over 70. IT SUCKS !

I decided I'm just going to find myself a good handyman and marry him.