The rise of mobile apps like Tinder and the boom in online dating have brought dramatic changes to the Illawarra's singles scene in the space of a few years.
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But while singles are struggling to find romance in the real world, many are also getting fed up with the online dating scene.
E-dating might make it easier to meet potential partners, but it may also lead people to thinking that someone better might just be an email away.
Sue Chilcott has set up a social club, Face to Face Events, for older singles in the Illawarra.
She says while singles in their 20s and 30s are jumping on and off dating sights and apps, those in their 40s and beyond are a bit "fickle" and "suspicious", and found going out on their own to meet a stranger daunting.
Wollongong's City Beach function centre recently hosted a singles masquerade ball, marketing executive Belle Jarvis lamenting "the older you get the harder it is to find anyone".
"Singles events are more for people in their 30s upwards," she says. "There's often lots of corporates - head down, bum up trying to progress their career - who have possibly lost the social side of life."
Relationships Australia Illawarra manager Rhonda O'Donnell says that while dating websites and mobile apps are all the rage, she found from her own discussions that people would use them sporadically.
She still feels that real world situations - at the gym or in the office - were still an avenue that brought people together.
Overall the experts agree that the changing digital landscape has taken the stigma away from online dating; it's no longer a fad and is here to stay.
THE SINGLE MAN
Geoff Pollard, 33, has lived in Wollongong his whole life but now resorts to singles events in Sydney because girls in the Gong are "hard yakka".
"It's extremely hard and frustrating," he says. "People in Wollongong seem to have a complex about themselves."
Pollard went to the masquerade ball at City Beach function centre in the hope of finding love. However, he felt the ladies were either too old or too young, or those that were in his age group weren't willing to have a chat.
"People need to be more open, and not shut people down so quickly," he says. "Just by talking to people you get shut down so quick. I don't think I'm creepy, I'm not stalking people."
The larger-than-life bloke said he's tried everything in his quest for love, from attending the Biggest Blind Date at the Sydney Opera House, to speed dating on a train. He's even been the subject of a radio competition on i98, but no one called up.
"I tried [online dating service] RSVP once, and it was all lunatics," he laughs. "One date I went on with this girl, she didn't look like her profile photo and she brought her dad along!"
Despite being rattled by his online dating experiences, Pollard is willing to give the web another shot, with his sights set on Tinder.
"It seems to be the way to go these days. I do think it's a bit strange, like a photo with no real connection ... but I'm open to giving it a go."
THE SINGLE WOMAN
Katie*, 32, believes there are a lot of people in her age group dating, but that not a lot is happening.
"Lots of people are talking online, but not enough people are following through. There needs to be less talk, more action," she says.
The Thirroul single has tried various online sites, as well as hitting the ever-growing Wollongong bar scene, but without much luck.
Katie doesn't think her age is a worry, as she knows plenty of singles in her age group and older, but says commitment was the biggest issue.
She too finds people in the Illawarra too "cliquey" and complains that today's men lack the confidence to approach woman.
"I've approached guys, and friends have as well ... the result has been OK but most of them have girlfriends," she laughs.
Of all Wollongong's pubs and clubs, the Harp Hotel is Katie's venue of choice for meeting people because of the eclectic mix of patrons attracted by the karaoke and dance music.
"There's a lot of new bars around the place, but I don't think they're very good places to meet people because everyone's in their groups sitting around a table."
She says checking out singles on her phone app in her lounge room is far more appealing than trying to strike up a conversation #IRL (in real life).
"I find it interesting that a lot of people I speak to that have been on online dating sites, and people are going on and off them. They go on for a few weeks, but then get bored so go off them. It's some weird pattern that we all do."
*Katie's name has been changed, for fear of "jinxing her romantic future".
THE PSYCHOLOGIST
John Aiken is a psychologist and relationships expert, and the author of books including Accidentally Single: The 15 Mistakes That Ruin Romance and How to Avoid Them and Making Couples Happy.
He sees online dating as a major change to the way couples meet.
"Online dating and the way in which people are connecting online now is such a major player," Aiken says.
"What comes through in dating in today's world, is what do you want out of it? If it's casual then go to avenues that give you that. You've got to think about what it is you're wanting, and how to present yourself."
Aiken says commitment was the biggest issue for under 30s, posing the question "are they a player or a stayer".
"As you get older, you start to think, how much baggage do they come with and are they available for a relationship? Are they over complicated in their life?"
He says the challenging age group is 30-35, where the pressure increases on singles to follow the norm and settle down, get married, have kids.
"You don't want to get despondent about it, but do have to be patient and do have to get in the game and be proactive because everyone else is," he says.
First impressions are everything, Aiken says, whether it's a happy smiling profile photo, or wearing something you feel confident in.
"RSVP have found if you have a good photo, you'll get 11 times more interest than if you post something without a photo.
"Having a photo is important but also one that's not showing a whole lot of skin, or where you're partying on a table with a lot of other people and you're blind drunk," he says.
People need to think about how they want to present themselves, and also need to watch grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and how they talk about themselves in a profile, Aiken says.
"Your handle [for example]; 'Lovefox99' probably isn't saying 'I want a long-term relationship'."
When meeting in person, Aiken suggests donning something that "makes you feel a million dollars", and have a sense of confidence about you.
"When you do meet that person you don't want to invade their personal space," he suggested. "Looking them in the eye is important, being able to ask them questions about themselves, and taking an interest. Maybe turning the mobile phone off for the first date."
Other topics to avoid on a first date include the ex, financial troubles, complaining and sexualised talk. Just keep it "light and casual" he advises.
For those wary of the digital world, Aiken says real-life options like set-ups from friends or chance meetings at the bus-stop are still there but it's vital to maintain a positive mindset.
"It's about using any opportunity you can to put yourself in front of like-minded singles and be open to it," he says.
"You can't try and meet someone really good for you if your head space is not healthy."