David Acevedo

David Acevedo

David Acevedo, 22, of New Springville launched the new dating web site, Staten Island Singles.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Distance may make the heart grow fonder, but it also can put a serious dent in one’s wallet.

That was the main complaint David Acevedo had of his last relationship with a woman he had met online. The 22-year-old lives in New Springville and his now-ex resides an hour away in New Jersey. During the course of their six-month relationship, he estimates he spent about $1,000 just on gas and tolls.

Acevedo says he’s not the only one. His uncle, too, ended a relationship with a woman who lived in Brooklyn. The fact that she didn’t have a car and the $15 Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll ultimately became deal-breakers.

Acevedo decided to come up with a better solution. Last month, he launched a new dating site called Staten Island Singles, a place where the borough's lonely hearts can go to try to make a connection right in their neighborhood.

“I’ve seen many success stories with online dating and it could be even more successful when the love of their life could be right down the block,” Acevedo said.

The site, which is free to join, is still in its fledgling stage, with only a couple dozen members. But Acevedo encourages Islanders of all ages to “just give it a try.

“You may never know who you will meet or what journey it could take you on.”