When we search for a partner online, we often dream that the perfect person lives just around the corner. It feels safe, practical, and allows for spontaneous meetups and a natural development of the relationship. But what if the person who makes your heart beat a little faster lives 100 kilometers away – or more?
For many, that can feel like a huge obstacle even before the first message is sent. The distance can seem overwhelming, and doubts creep in before you’ve even given it a real chance. But love rarely follows zip codes or regional boundaries. And maybe it’s worth asking yourself: What if this is the one?
It’s easy to dismiss the opportunity by thinking about daily logistics, costs, and travel time. But in the beginning, it’s not really about how often you can meet – it’s about whether you want to meet. The chemistry, the connection, and the feeling of being seen and understood. That doesn’t always happen just outside your front door.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of potential challenges – and how you can navigate them together.
Expanding your search criteria means expanding your chances
One of the most common reasons people don’t find love online is that they unknowingly limit themselves. They use the same filters, search within 20–30 km – or even less, especially if they live in a larger city. They end up matching with the same profiles again and again. Many end up feeling like “all the interesting ones are taken” or “there’s no one out there who fits me.”
But the truth is, maybe you’re just looking in the wrong radius.
By expanding your search criteria – especially geographically – you open the door to entirely new possibilities. Suddenly you meet people with different experiences, different perspectives, and maybe a completely different outlook on life. And who knows – maybe that’s exactly what it takes to spark something.
Common concerns – and how to deal with them
1. “It’s too far – we’ll never be able to build a daily life together”
Yes, logistics matter. But in the beginning, it’s not about planning a shared life – it’s about seeing if you want to meet again. If the connection is strong, solutions will come. Many find creative ways to see each other, and some end up moving – but only after realizing it’s worth it.
2. “It’s too difficult to get to know each other”
Actually, the opposite is often true. When there’s distance, you prioritize time together differently. You make space for it, look forward to it, and take the conversations seriously. This often builds a stronger foundation than the classic “let’s just meet Tuesday afternoon” model.
3. “It’s a waste of time if nothing comes of it”
But you never know that in advance – no matter the distance. And if you don’t give it a chance, you risk missing out on something big. Maybe the biggest thing of all.
4. “How do I know if the person is serious?”
With distance, it’s easy to fear wasting time on someone who isn’t truly interested. It’s a real concern – but long-distance situations often make it easier to spot genuine intent. People who take initiative, stay in touch, and make plans to meet are clearly showing: they mean it.
5. “We don’t have a shared everyday life – can this even become something real?”
It’s true that shared everyday experiences strengthen a relationship. But many couples start long-distance and build something solid before daily life begins. That often creates deeper trust, as you get to know each other through conversation and presence – not just routines and errands.
6. “I have kids – it’ll be too complicated”
Kids can be a factor, but not necessarily a dealbreaker. Many parents date thoughtfully and at a pace that makes sense for them and their children. In long-distance relationships, it can even be an advantage not to merge lives too quickly but to maintain your own base until something more stable forms.
7. “It’s going to be too expensive with all the travel”
Depending on the distance, transportation costs can be a factor. But if both contribute and plan ahead, it can usually be balanced. Many take turns traveling and look for cheap tickets. If the relationship grows, those travel costs are often replaced by a shared everyday life and combined expenses.
8. “I’ve tried this before – and it didn’t work”
Past experiences can affect our confidence. But it’s important to remember that every person and relationship is different. Just because one long-distance relationship didn’t succeed doesn’t mean the next one won’t. In fact, your experience may make you better at recognizing what you want – and what to avoid.
9. “I feel like I lose control – it makes me uneasy”
For some, it’s not really about the distance but about the uncertainty of the unknown. It takes trust to open up to something you can’t “monitor” in daily life. But that trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship – and learning to lean into it is a strength.
Success stories
Line and Mads: From occasional weekends to a shared future
Line lived in Odense and Mads in Aarhus. Their profiles matched even though both had set 50 km as their max distance. They started writing “just for fun,” as Line puts it. But after a few days, they couldn’t stop. They met in Vejle on a Sunday afternoon, and three hours flew by. After that came more weekends, sleepovers, and long train rides. Eight months later, Mads moved to Funen – not because it was the plan, but because it just felt right. Today, they live together and are expecting their first child.
Sofie and Jonas: From North Jutland and South Zealand to everyday life together
Sofie and Jonas lived almost as far from each other as you can in Denmark. At first, they didn’t even consider one another, but a shared love of outdoor life got them talking. A video call turned into several, and after a few weeks, Jonas traveled north. It felt like they had known each other for years. Today, they’ve built a life together – not without compromise, but with space for each other.
Emil and Lærke: A match outside the comfort zone
Both had long-distance dating marked as a hard no. But the algorithm ignored that – thankfully. When Emil wrote to Lærke, she almost didn’t reply. But there was something about his message that made her hit “respond.” That turned out to be the start of something unexpected – and truly special. Today, they both say they would never have met if they hadn’t dared to look past the distance.
Distance should never be an excuse
Love is rare. It doesn’t always show up where it’s most convenient – but often where you least expect it.
So the next time you come across a match who lives a little further away, ask yourself: “Am I afraid of the distance – or afraid of taking a chance?”
Because if it’s real, then an hour’s journey is a small thing compared to a life filled with closeness, laughter, and love.
