You may know about long-term relationships, a.k.a. LTR, in traditional dating. But what does it mean for sugar daddy dating? What are the pros and cons of establishing a long-term arrangement? And if you think an LTR is right for you, how can you go about finding a good partner?
Let’s talk about going the distance with your next sugar partner.
What is LTR in the world of sugar dating?
A long-term relationship is a sugar arrangement that has longevity. Exactly when a relationship goes from a casual hook-up or courtship phase to an LTR isn’t set in stone. But typically, if you’ve been seeing the same partner regularly for a few months or more, you’re probably in a long-term relationship.
One thing to note is that LTR refers specifically to time. That means that many kinds of sugar arrangements, from platonic to no-strings-attached to friends-with-benefits, can fall into the LTR category. To put it another way, if you enjoy seeing your sugar daddy or sugar baby consistently and would like to continue to do so, you’re in a long-term setup!
What is the difference between an LTR and an LDR?
Sometimes the abbreviations on sugar daddy forums can get confusing, so you might wonder what the difference is between an LTR and an LDR.
LDR is short for a long-distance relationship. This refers to arrangements in which the partners live in different cities or even different countries.
As you can see, LTR and LDR aren’t related. Of course, you can have an arrangement that is both long-term and long-distance!
What are the benefits of long-term dating?
Given that the sugaring lifestyle is all about excitement and exploration, why would someone opt for a long-term partner? Here are a few of the advantages of an LTR:
- You can move beyond the first meet & greet. There’s no doubt that first dates can be exhilarating. But, they can also be a bit awkward and tiring. If you’re someone who enjoys the phase after the initial courtship, you’ll enjoy the comfort that comes with a long-term arrangement.
- You’ve already ironed out the arrangement negotiations. If you can find the right long-term partner, your sugar daddy relationship can start to run like clockwork. You’ll already know exactly what your partner wants and what they’ll offer you. This can give you more time to enjoy the present moment without worrying about the details.
- You can build trust. Whenever it comes to online dating, you might find yourself with your guard up against scammers and people with bad intentions. But with a long-term partner, you can be confident that you’re dating a genuine person. And, once a sugar daddy trusts a partner, they may invite them to travel or attend more luxurious events.
- The gifts become more personal. Gift-giving is a great way for a sugar daddy to show appreciation for a partner. But it can be difficult to know what to get for someone you’re not close to. The more time you spend in an LTR, the easier time you’ll have choosing gifts that are personal and unique to your partner.
- Potentially fewer travel issues. Traveling with someone for the first time can be nerve-wracking. After all, unlike a date, it can be more difficult to wiggle out of a romantic getaway that isn’t going well. But, with a long-term partner, you know that the person at your side is compatible with you! That can make travel much more enjoyable and stress-free.
- LTRs in sugar relationships tend to come with less responsibility than in traditional relationships. Maybe you like the idea of being committed long-term to someone but you’re not wild about all of the other obligations that come with a traditional relationship. The good news is, in a sugar dating LTR, you probably won’t be expected to meet family members, move in together, or watch your partner’s dog when they’re out of town. This can free you up to live your life the way you want to while still enjoying a stable, satisfying connection.
- It may develop into a traditional romantic relationship. To be sure, many are drawn to the sugaring lifestyle because a traditional relationship isn’t right for them. Others are more open to the idea of their sugar partner eventually becoming their life partner or spouse. If you like the idea of falling in love with your sugar partner, an LTR is a good place to start.
As you can see, there are many reasons why long-term arrangements are beneficial to both partners.
What are the drawbacks of LTRs?
Even though there are some advantages to having a consistent sugar daddy or sugar baby, there are some potential negatives to consider, too:
- You might miss the thrill of a new partner. For anyone who finds meeting new people exciting, an LTR might start to feel a bit stale after a while. It’s possible to lose the spark over time and even start to feel like you’re in a traditional romantic relationship.
- You may have a hard time renegotiating. Once things become predictable between you and your partner, you might find yourself struggling to revisit the terms of your arrangement. After all, it’s never fun to rock the boat, and your partner might not be open to renegotiating if they’ve grown comfortable with the dynamic between the two of you.
- You may be more likely to have a messy breakup. Once a relationship has been going on for months or even years, it can feel much more difficult to break up. Depending on how involved your arrangement has become, your partner might have grown accustomed to their life with you. So If you’re not one for emotional goodbyes, you might prefer short-term arrangements to LTRs.
- You may find yourself developing feelings that were not part of the original arrangement. Even if you’re strictly interested in a friends-with-benefits or no-strings-attached relationship, the reality is, that you and your partner are human. The more time you spend together, the more difficult it will be not to develop some kind of emotional connection. This is especially true if you have good chemistry and compatibility. Unless you’re very good at compartmentalizing, an LTR may come with a risk of developing romantic feelings.
- LTRs can sometimes come with additional drama. Unfortunately, LTRs can bring out some unwanted relationship dynamics between you and a partner. While spending more time with someone can bring about emotional intimacy, it can also sometimes lead to disagreements and annoyances. Jealousy may also become an issue if one partner starts to develop romantic feelings for the other.
- If your partner is taking advantage of you, it may be harder to leave. As we mentioned, the most likely outcome of an LTR is that you’ll build trust with your partner and see them as a genuine person. But unfortunately, there are some scammers out there who know how to play the long game. Romance schemes can sometimes take place over many years in which the victim becomes more entangled and less able to leave. Compared to the many positive long-term sugar relationships that exist, these scams are quite rare, but it’s still something to be aware of.
Can you have a long-term arrangement while still seeing other people?
The sugar lifestyle is all about finding romance on your terms. If you feel that you would like to enjoy some of the benefits of a long-term partner while also seeking out new flames and experiences, you can!
So unless you and your partner have talked specifically about monogamy, there’s no reason not to have a short-term relationship or dates while also maintaining a long-term arrangement.
How can you find your perfect LTR partner?
Maybe you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided that you’re ready for an LTR. What next? Here are a few ways that you can increase your chances of landing a long-term partner:
- Spend some time fine-tuning your online profile. The more of the sugar dating terminology you learn, the more effective your profile will be in finding you the perfect match. For instance, if you want a long-term arrangement, mention that in your bio! That way, you won’t waste time chatting with people who only want a one-off date.
- Put in the work now so that you can enjoy a strong relationship later. Okay, we know that we said a long-term relationship can prevent you from too many meet & greets. But the fact is, you will have to spend some time initially finding your ideal long-term partner. The more active you are in looking for the right match, the faster you’ll be able to enjoy your long-term arrangement.
- Pay attention to signs of compatibility and friction. Think about what is most appealing to you in a partner. Is it a sense of humor? Is it an easy conversation? Their ability to remember your likes and dislikes? Pay close attention to the moments when you feel like a partner is compatible with you and don’t overlook red flags. This awareness will help you weed out the people who aren’t a good fit long-term.
Is an LTR right for you?
Now that you know all about long-term relationships in the world of sugar dating, you have a choice to make. Will you seek out an LTR or stick with short-term arrangements?