United States
Casual encounters in the US, minus the guesswork
From New York to Las Vegas, meet people nearby who want something casual. Your profile shows a username and your nearest town, nothing more, and joining is free.
- Join free in every state
- Prices in US dollars
- Free ID check
In short
The easiest way to find casual encounters in the US is a dating site where everyone has said up front what they want. Create a free Joydate profile, list what you're open to and browse who's nearby, then message a few people each day at no cost, or anyone you like once you have VIP.
- Where: in every state, in your phone's browser, with nothing to install.
- Cost: a Classic profile is free; VIP for unlimited messaging is US$19.99 for a week.
- Nights out: from New York's Lower East Side to Fremont East in Las Vegas.
Casual encounters used to mean an ad on a classifieds board, until Craigslist closed its personals section in 2018. A casual dating site does the same job with profiles instead of anonymous ads: you can see who someone is and what they want before you reply.
Why look for casual encounters online?
Casual encounters work better online in the US, because what someone wants is on their profile before you message them. If you used to read the personals, the Joydate vs Doublelist comparison shows how a profile-based site differs.
- Profiles, not anonymous ads. Every member has a profile with photos and says what they're open to, so you know who you're talking to.
- Private where it counts. Others see a username and your nearest town, never your full name or your address.
- A badge you can check. The ID check is free and adds a Verified badge; it's worth looking for before you say yes to a meet.
- Nearby matches. Joydate suggests members by age and distance every day; VIP adds filters for city, distance and what people want.
Where people go out
Three US nights out worth suggesting
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New York
The Lower East Side
Streets lined with places to drink, dance and hear live music, says NYC Tourism.
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Las Vegas
Fremont East
Downtown bars beside the Fremont Street light canopy, says Visit Las Vegas.
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Houston
Washington Avenue
Restaurants and bars from Memorial Park to downtown, says Visit Houston.
How Joydate works in the US
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Sign up free
Choose a username, add a recent photo and tick what you're open to.
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Look around
See members near you and the matches Joydate suggests each day.
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Say hello
Message whoever you like: a few messages a day are free and VIP lifts the limit. Meet somewhere public first.
Staying safe during a casual encounter in the US
Staying safe on a first meet in the US works the same as anywhere: choose a public place, let a friend know your plans and stay in Joydate's chat until you've met in person. In an emergency, call 911.
The Federal Trade Commission's rule on romance scams is simple: never send money or gifts to someone you haven't met in person. Scammers ask for wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps or crypto. Report a scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, and tell the site where you met.
For testing, the CDC's GetTested site finds fast, free or low-cost, confidential STI testing near you, including options to collect a sample yourself.
What Joydate costs in the US
A Classic profile is free in the US and comes with a few messages a day. Unlimited messaging requires VIP; VIP Plus adds exclusive matches and puts you at the top of the match stack. Prices are in US dollars, with each total above its weekly cost.
| Plan length | VIP | VIP Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $19.99 | $22.99 |
| 1 month | $42.81$9.99 a week | $51.39$11.99 a week |
| 3 months | $102.73$7.99 a week | $128.44$9.99 a week |
| 6 months | $128.31$4.99 a week | $154.03$5.99 a week |
| 12 months | $260.19$4.99 a week | $338.41$6.49 a week |
Plans from one week to six months renew automatically until you cancel; the 12-month plan is a one-time payment. See every plan in every currency.
Joydate in the US: common questions
Where can you find casual encounters in the US?
You can find casual encounters in the US on a casual dating site like Joydate, where members say what they want on their profile. Join free, see who's nearby and message the people you like; VIP makes messaging unlimited.
Is Joydate an alternative to personals sites?
Joydate is an alternative to personals sites such as Craigslist personals, which closed in 2018, but it works differently: instead of anonymous ads, members have profiles, and a free ID check puts a Verified badge on genuine accounts. Read how Joydate compares with Doublelist.
How much does Joydate cost in the US?
Joining Joydate in the US is free, and a Classic profile includes a few messages a day. VIP, for unlimited messaging, is US$19.99 for a week or US$4.99 a week on the 12-month plan. See every plan.
How do you report a romance scam in the US?
You report a romance scam in the US to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov. Block and report the profile on Joydate as well.
Where can you get free STI testing in the US?
You can find free or low-cost STI testing in the US with the CDC's GetTested finder, which lists confidential testing near you, including tests you can collect yourself.
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