Singles find little cheer living in S.L.

Salt Lake City, it seems, ranks fairly low for singles ranking the 40 largest metropolitan cities in the United States.

In nightlife, culture, job growth, number of other singles, cost of living alone and "coolness," Salt Lake City ranked 34th, lower than last year's rank of 22nd, according to Forbes.com.

Davide Dukcevich, who compiled the report, said the reason Salt Lake City ranked so high last year was because Forbes grouped bars and restaurants into one category. This year, the publication separated the two, as it had in the past, and it pushed Salt Lake City down the ranks.

"We wanted to benefit the smaller cities, and this year, there were enough small towns in the top five, so we reverted back to the old classification," he said in an interview.

Denver ranked first in "The best cities for singles" this year because, as Dukcevich said, "for the typical, average single, there are more interesting and exciting things to do."

Perhaps the worst rating Salt Lake City received was for the lack of nightlife, where it placed dead last. The address and street numbering system, according to Dukcevich, made it difficult for visitors to find bars and nightclubs.

But Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who is also part of the city's single scene, didn't disagree with Forbes' assessment and placed the blame on state liquor laws restricting what businesses can serve alcohol and where they are located.

"People who visit Salt Lake City are often angered to be asked for a membership card," Anderson said. "The excessive control and restrictions probably deter young, creative, productive people from living in Salt Lake City."

He said places where the single community are drawn to are "too limited" in downtown Salt Lake.

"There need to be more open opportunities for people to do what they enjoy," he said. "Having a drink in social occasions is something people enjoy."

Along with nightlife, Salt Lake City received poor marks in "overall coolness" and availability of cultural opportunities. The city ranked in the top 10 for projected job growth and ranked 21st for the number of singles who have never been married.