Settling will only make you resentful in the end. That's experience talking because I settled when I was 18 as well, and it led to me cheating because I thought I could do better. If you feel you can do better, you definitely will.

It took me almost 20 years to finally find the love of my life, and even still, it isn't perfect, because really nothing is. Hold out for the real love, it's worth it.