Brooke Bentley

Brooke Bentley, who returned to the Pittsburgh-area from Washington, D.C. in 2005, has grown weary of the smoke-filled, overcrowded, mostly 20s bar scene, calling the dating landscape here "miserable, terrible and pathetic." She would like to meet a handsome, cultured, young professional with a sense of humor.

Name: Brooke Bentley

Age: 32

Neighborhood/city: Robinson

Occupation: A technical administrator for research and development for a large chemical corporation.

Why isn't Pittsburgh a good place for singles? "There's a lack of cultured, educated people in our city. They go to school and then they leave [because] ...Pittsburgh doesn't have a lot of great career choices."

Favorite Pittsburgh singles hangout: She used to frequent Roland's Iron Landing and DejaVu Lounge in the Strip District and Bar Louie at Station Square.

Worst Pittsburgh dating hang-up: Men don't approach women anymore. "I can't seem to find a man who understands the concept of picking me up at the door, taking me to dinner, a concert, or a museum. I would love to have a date who doesn't call me and say, 'Meet me at Bar Louie around 10.' "

What could be done to improve the dating scene? Improve public transportation. In D.C. there were cabs waiting outside clubs and cabs on every corner. Development of more areas such as Shadyside, the South Side and the Strip District, where people can walk around and go from place to place. Bring better jobs to Pittsburgh that will attract and keep younger people.

Susan Haas

When Susan Haas flew home to Pittsburgh after having lived in Florida for a few years, a man on the plane warned her about dating prospects here.

"If you're moving back to Pittsburgh, honey, and you're going to be single, that's not the place to be single," he told her.

She has been to all the usual places and doesn't believe she's going to find the type of man she seeks in bars, clubs or restaurants.

"I refuse to do the Internet or Match.com," she says. "I meet enough strange people on my own. I am a very attractive, bright woman. I attract a lot of people, just not what I'm looking for."

She has dated younger men, but would like to meet a bright, attractive and funny professional man closer to her age who shares her interests.

Name: Susan Haas

Age: 49

Neighborhood/City: Bethel Park

Occupation: chiropractor's assistant and artist

Why isn't Pittsburgh a good place for singles? "It's young everywhere you go," she says. "And if it's [an] older [crowd], it's way too old. When all you keep hearing is, 'You've got great teeth. You have really beautiful teeth,' it's just too old."

Favorite Pittsburgh singles hangout: Doesn't really have one.

Worst Pittsburgh dating hang-up: "It's just really sad here. I like the city, but there's no place to go. ... I'm not blaming them, but any place that's worth going is taken over by all the young people."

What could be done to improve the dating scene? More night spots for older singles.

Tom Bellay

Tom Bellay has tried Internet dating to no avail. He goes to church and the gym. He has tried clubs, but feels he's too old to hang out at places such as Pure and Prive and says the younger set is taking over restaurant-bars such as Nakama, where he used to be able to "just sit around and have good conversation." He thinks about leaving town every day.

Name: Tom Bellay

Age: 42

Neighborhood/city: Moon

Occupation: Insurance company business analyst.

Why isn't Pittsburgh a good place for singles? "I can't find anybody in Pittsburgh. ... I know there is a huge percentage of people here over 25 who are married and the job market is not that great. Those are all factors impacting the single life."

Favorite Pittsburgh singles hangout: Seviche, Palomino.

Worst Pittsburgh dating hang-up: "I just don't think the bar scene is a good place to meet someone."

What could be done to improve the dating scene? More places for older singles to hang out, such as wine bars. "You won't have a young kid looking for fine cabernet."

Beth O'Brien

Beth O'Brien moved to Pittsburgh from Washington, D.C., after visiting friends here and discovering she really liked the city. She's not into the bar scene but still finds plenty to do around town from going to the opera to kayaking.

"[Pittsburgh is] more affordable than D.C., which is very attractive, and it's a refreshing change of mentality," she says. "People are really down to earth here."

Name: Beth O'Brien

Age: 29

Neighborhood/city: Squirrel Hill

Occupation: Legal secretary

Why is Pittsburgh a good place for singles? "It's a great city and has a lot to offer. You're not going to meet someone on your couch. You have to get out and do things you like to do. I've met a lot of people, and I'm dating and it's great. You just have to keep an open mind and get out there and meet people."

Favorite Pittsburgh singles hangout: No particular hangout, but she has done some activities via MeetIn.org, which isn't a dating service, but a Web site where groups of people meet and coordinate group activities ranging from art gallery crawls to sporting events.

"It's a way of meeting a lot of people, not necessarily to date, but you make friends and get out a lot and meet people that way.

Worst Pittsburgh dating hang-up: Pittsburgh isn't quite as diverse as D.C. and has poor public transportation.

What could be done to improve the dating scene? Improve public transportation. "There are no cabs, which is weird for a singles scene [compared with D.C.]. You have to consider how you're going to get home. If you're going to have any alcohol you have to plan very carefully. Kind of dampens spontaneity."

Kathy Homziak

Kathy Homziak has had a difficult time meeting people since her partner died 12 years ago. She does volunteer work with a local gay organization when her schedule permits.

However, many in the city's gay community are still closeted and the city's gay social scene is very segregated and most of the gay bars are holes in the wall, she says.

"There's no place where both sexes can go to enjoy," she says. "When I go out, I look for stimulating conversation, and I don't care if it's with a man or woman and I can't even find that."

Name: Kathy Homziak

Age: 49

Neighborhood/city: Squirrel Hill

Occupation: Self-employed personal care giver.

Why isn't the Pittsburgh-area a good place for singles? "I am gay and I think this city is so Republican and archaic it's terrible to meet people."

Favorite Pittsburgh singles hangout: Doesn't have one, but does enjoy going to the theater, jazz clubs, the ballet and other dance concerts.

Worst Pittsburgh dating hang-up: No appealing gay/lesbian clubs.

What could be done to improve the dating scene? A nice nightclub or bar where gay men and lesbian women could and would socialize together.

Jeff Pollock

Jeff Pollock doesn't belong to a gym or enjoy smoke-filled bars and clubs, but he enjoys dancing, is involved with local charities and theater groups, and at one time ran a young singles dating group at the Jewish Community Center. He thinks there's a lot to do in Pittsburgh.

Name: Jeff Pollock

Age: 45

Neighborhood/city: Squirrel Hill

Occupation: Attorney.

Why is Pittsburgh a good place for singles? "We have so many opportunities for people to meet if only it was well publicized and people would stop being so negative and open their minds to what's out there. Things are out there."

Favorite Pittsburgh singles hangout: No particular place, he just pursues activities that interest him and has participated in some events organized through the young professionals group Fusionprivateclub.com "I want to meet someone who is doing something good for the community."

Worst Pittsburgh dating hang-up: "When someone says they're not finding the right kind of people that's because we're all spoiled. People are used to immediate gratification and if we don't get it, we go home and watch the Steelers. ... If we found the right person right away, it would be too easy and we'd think something was wrong with them."

What could be done to improve the dating scene? "I just keep pluggin' away. I'm not going to ever give up. I want to make Pittsburgh a better place and hopefully while I'm doing that, I'll meet someone I can spend the rest of my life with."