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Original poster

37 year old and 47 year old age gap

110 replies

cotswoldsblue · 11/11/2026 02:05

Neither of us want kids, our relationship is a few months old.

My friend in her early 40s feels he's a bit old for me (I'm the 37 year old) and she really thinks I'm wasting my time not finding someone closer in age, knowing I want something long term.

Thoughts and experiences? :)

OP posts:
Koalacanth · 11/11/2026 02:09

Seems a fine age gap at your ages.

ChillyNGrateful · 11/11/2026 02:09

generally 10 years difference is not a big deal depending on personal health.

Celer · 11/11/2026 02:12

Depends what you both want - if neither of you want dc what’s the issue?

FrauPaige · 11/11/2026 02:16

It's great that you friend has expressed her preference for a dating partner. Your choice reflects you our preference.

ThatLoudCat · 11/11/2026 02:45

I read your title as you were dating an 84 year old.

A 10 year gap is completely fine.

mysittingduck · 11/11/2026 02:46

If you want to be with him, you won't care what people think.

RaspberryCoffeePot · 11/11/2026 02:48

cotswoldsblue · 11/11/2026 02:05

Neither of us want kids, our relationship is a few months old.

My friend in her early 40s feels he's a bit old for me (I'm the 37 year old) and she really thinks I'm wasting my time not finding someone closer in age, knowing I want something long term.

Thoughts and experiences? :)

My cousin and her husband have a 10 year age gap and they have been married 25 years

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 11/11/2026 02:49

My husband and I are these ages. There are no issues and no one seems to care.

PleaseDontStepOnTheDaisies · 11/11/2026 02:54

I also read '47 year age gap' and thought you were dating an 84 yr old!
But 10 years is nothing.

ThatRoseViewer · 11/11/2026 03:11

@cotswoldsblue you're a lucky duck if it works for you both and long may you both be happy.
Your friend is being negative. Have happiness 😊

garlictwist · 11/11/2026 04:17

There’s ten years between DH and me. We met at 21 and 31. I am the older. It’s never been an issue.

Dery · 11/11/2026 07:04

10 year age gap at your age sounds fine to me (47 year age gap doesn’t 😀)!

Datingwoess · 11/11/2026 07:28

Fine if what’s what you want. You’re both middle aged

In ten years, you’ll be 47 and he’ll be almost 60. Men can age fast and hard. And you may end up in a caring role sooner than with a man of similar age.

Namezerchangezer · 11/11/2026 07:33

Not much difference between a 37 and 47 year old man but I would say big difference when it gets to 57 and 67.

MachineBee · 11/11/2026 07:35

Datingwoess · 11/11/2026 07:28

Fine if what’s what you want. You’re both middle aged

In ten years, you’ll be 47 and he’ll be almost 60. Men can age fast and hard. And you may end up in a caring role sooner than with a man of similar age.

I was going to make the same observation. In middle age a 10 year age gap means very little but in the later decades some people can become less flexible and more set in their ways. I’ve got a couple of friends who have older partners and at retirement age and beyond have found their plans for life after work have been detrimentally affected by their older partner’s attitudes and health problems.

Sherararara · 11/11/2026 07:36

37 year old and 47 year old age gap

It’s 10 years. (47-37).
Your welcome.

Dollymylove · 11/11/2026 07:38

You dont have to ask permission from anyone else to date someone you like. Although im pretty sure someone will be along shortly to declare that this man must be some weird pervert.
Thats mumsnet for you!!!

AyeupDuck · 11/11/2026 07:41

I think up to 10 years is about the max for me personally. But there is the who will be retiring when as his pension pot is a decade ahead of yours. I know someone with a 9 year gap and he has been retired for 5 years whilst his wife is still working. They could not afford for her to retire at the same time as so much earlier.

Tablesandchairs23 · 11/11/2026 07:42

10 years at these is nothing. Your friend is talking nonsense.

TheLastSilverSaint · 11/11/2026 08:02

Your friend needs to mind her own business. Ten years isn’t what I’d even consider ‘an age gap’ at your ages.

MagpiesAndJays · 11/11/2026 08:06

Sherararara · 11/11/2026 07:36

37 year old and 47 year old age gap

It’s 10 years. (47-37).
Your welcome.

If you are going to correct people's writing when you clearly understood the intent, probably best to get your own right.

You're welcome.

user293948849167 · 11/11/2026 08:08

At your ages I think it’s ok. It would feel very different if you were 18 and 28.
My grandparents had a 10 year age gap and a very happy marriage

AshCullen1894 · 11/11/2026 08:12

Had something similar in my early 30s. All went well until he started playing the 'but I'm older and know more about these things ' card. If only I had a time machine.

NotStayingTheSame · 11/11/2026 08:14

MagpiesAndJays · 11/11/2026 08:06

If you are going to correct people's writing when you clearly understood the intent, probably best to get your own right.

You're welcome.

Show quote history

You beat me to it!!!

OP it depends what you both want from life. If he wants to retire in three years and you want to continue working for 20, then the relationship is probably not going to work long-term.

hattie43 · 11/11/2026 08:20

I wouldn’t be concerned over a 10 yr difference but that would be my limit , 15, 20 upwards is too much imo

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