I think a common misconception when dating is that you need to date around your age, or for girls, date a guy a couple years old and vice versa for guys. Guys also sometime have disturbing fantasies of dating like 18 year olds. I'm not sure what's up that? B/c think back to your high school days? I don't want to relive those.
Anyhow, here's my tip for what age to date. Which is, it has nothing to do with a number. I think it's about life phases. If you're looking a stable relationship and not a fling then you need to date someone who's in the same phase you are. If you're a student, dating student is fine. If you're a young professional, dating other young professionals is good. The problem is when people who are in career/start family mode start going out with people who are still in school. Their focus is in two different places.
I think one of the foundations of a good relationship is common goals. If one person's immediate goal is finals and graduating in a couple of years and the other person's goal is to have kids...these are pretty far apart. In the early stages it won't matter but unless someone is willing to put aside what they want for the other person, it will be very challenging to stay together.
For example you could both be 30 years old. One of you is established in your career. The other is still trying to finish college. You are not in the same places in your lives. It could work, but unless there is a strong plan to get on the same page, someone will end up sacrificing a lot for the other. Does this make sense?
