Can't get a date? Blame it on Twin Cities

What is Forbes doing in the dating business? Are their featured CEOs and COOs and CFOs clamoring for news on "Where to Score as a Single," billed as Forbes' first annual guide to the best places for a single life?

The list is available only on the company's Web site, (http://www.forbes.com ), perhaps because if it had been on the magazine's cover, it would have confused shelf-stockers and ended up next to Cosmopolitan. Or maybe the magazine has come to the realization that life is not all about portfolios and Jaguars.

"Ever wonder why you can't get a date?" the article asks. "You might not be to blame -- it could be your hometown."

Why not? Forbes' has given us everything else. Its list-happy editors have compiled rankings for career opportunities, real estate and stocks, among other status-conscious stuff. If a motivated person took these lists and lived life accordingly, they'd have a shot at one of Forbes' other lists: the CEOs who give the best value, who's most powerful, and the rankings of the richest.

It could be possible that despite all of the above, Forbes' readers still can't get a date. Should they move to the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area, which is No. 1? Or should they stay in Cincinnati, which, at No. 40, bottoms out the standings.

In between, there's Chicago (No. 3), Seattle (No. 17) and Detroit (No. 27). Miami made it to No. 2.

Minneapolis-St. Paul made it to No. 13, but "not even the presence of funkmaster Prince can save the Twin Cities from their overwhelming blandness." Not enough urban grit: Too many wholesome parks, well-educated people and excellent cultural outlets and -- this is key -- way too many married people.

http://www2.startribune.c...ord=prince