Dating App Fatigue? In Vermont, Personal Ads Still Thrive.
In an era dominated by swipes and likes, Vermont residents are bucking the digital dating trend by embracing a surprisingly traditional approach to finding love: personal advertisements in local newspapers and community bulletins. This renaissance of old-school matchmaking offers a refreshing alternative for those exhausted by the endless scroll of dating apps.
Seven Days, Vermont's independent weekly newspaper, reports that their personal ads section has maintained steady readership even as digital dating platforms have exploded in popularity. The newspaper receives approximately 200 personal ads monthly, a number that has remained consistent over the past five years.
Local dating coach Sarah Mitchell explains, 'There's something uniquely Vermont about this persistence of personal ads. In our rural communities, people value authenticity and connection over convenience. Personal ads force you to be thoughtful about how you present yourself and what you're looking for.'
The advantages of personal ads in Vermont include:
- More local, targeted connections within specific communities
- Thoughtful, detailed descriptions rather than quick swipes
- Lower pressure and reduced digital burnout
- Greater privacy compared to online dating profiles
Burlington resident Tom Henderson, 34, who found his partner through a Seven Days personal ad, shares, 'After two years of dating apps, I was done with the superficiality. Personal ads helped me connect with someone who shared my values and lifestyle in a way that felt more genuine.'
While dating apps continue to dominate the national dating scene, Vermont's thriving personal ads culture demonstrates that sometimes the old ways still work best. As digital dating fatigue grows nationwide, this traditional approach might offer valuable lessons about slowing down and prioritizing meaningful connections in our increasingly fast-paced world.
