Comments on: Where to Live: Gay Ghetto or Integrated Neighborhood

By: Val

Val — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:28:23 +0000

I'm not sure that I support this list much. I lived 24 years in the Dallas area and worked at the biggest gay bar there. The bar scene was good there with bars for both gay and lesbians (though it caters to the boys more), but society's view on gays was not. It wasn't an everyday occurance to have some local stranger talk crap, or hear about a friend getting gay-bashed but it wasn't rare either. Overall living there is ok, good cost of living, lots to do, education, weather is managable but LOTS of traffic. After that I moved to Albuqerque, NM (1 hr from Santa Fe). The difference in the way people treat you here is incredible. They actually treat you like a normal person, and it's standard jobs in my proffesion to offer domestic partner benefits (which they did not in Tx). It's been very rare that anyone here has ever cared that I was a lesbian. ABQ is more geared for lesbians than gay boys, and has an ok bar, but nothing great. I'm not really sure that I believe Santa Fe is really geared for either. They do have one of the only retirement centers for gays in America which is what I think put them on the list. I went to their pride and it was very small. ABQ's pride was bigger than Santa Fe, but nothing compared to the numbers that show up in Dallas. Overall living is pretty nice in both ABQ and Santa FE, great weather, little traffic (Santa Fe has more because no freeway through the city), cost of living is higher (espec. in Santa Fe), beautiful scenery- but it is a much smaller city and much harder to meet new people. Santa Fe would be great for someone already in a commited relationship, but tougher for singles. I guess I can see why Santa Fe made it because there are also some homo's in the power positions of the political scene there... it's just so small when it comes to meeting people. Dallas however gets a thumbs down after seeing that there are places where you are not looked at like a wierdo everytime you go out into straight society.

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By: Ash

Ash — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:36:39 +0000

Birmingham, Alabama's Gay Neighborhoods and ghetto. Thinking about moving to Birmingham, Alabama? Think East Birmingham. East Birmingham is becoming The Magic City's inclusive neighborhood. We encourage "family" members to relocate to the East Side. Upper end neighborhoods of Forest Park (upper end 1920's homes); Crestwood South (well kept Ranch); Crestwood South (1920's Bungalows and Art and Craft homes); and East Lake our up-and-coming artisan district and gay ghetto. East Lake homes are from the late 1800's Victorians and 1920 style Bungalow, English Tudors and Spanish Revivals that are going for 20K to the upper 80's. This area is going to be "hot" starting this spring and summer 2009. Alternative families are encouraged to take over East Lake in an effort to revitalize this area and make it our own oasis here in Birmingham. Join the movement! There is a 1920 main street and business area ripe for alternative shops and small restaurants located on 1st Avenue North and Oporto-Madrid Blvd. Buy now for an investment or relocate to East Birmingham to support this endeavor.

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By: Queercents » Blog Archive » 3 Ways to Move Your Twentysomething Possessions and Save Money

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:47:41 +0000

[...] across the cornfields to some metropolis, and pulling up to a brand-new brownstone to unload in a fabulous gayborhood. Realistically, this is pricy and time-consuming. Instead, why not mail your worldly possessions to [...]

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By: Lynn Robertson

Lynn Robertson — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:15:51 +0000

I too am surprised Seattle is not on the list!!! The entire city is extremely accepting of all people and all cultures. Capitol Hill is a neighborhood littered with gay bars and the city as a whole is very gay-friendly. For many residents here being gay is a non-issue and it is not uncommon to see gay couples holding hands and enjoying the freedoms that straight couples enjoy.

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By: johnnie firewater

johnnie firewater — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 22:02:44 +0000

I grew up in the Castro neighborhood and still live there and I can tell you in ten years the Castro will not be a "gay" neighborhood. Just as Douglas Elementary School in the Castro was renamed Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, someday someone will change the name again. Things change. To be honest, the Castro, for a long time, has been rather boring. Commerical and residential rents are so expensive, no one can take any risks. The homeless and mentally ill practically own the sidewalks. And I don't think stores selling gay porn videos and t-shirts with silly slogans should define a neighborhood away. Let the neighborhood evolve and let's hope

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By: RE Agent in CT » I Win The Carnival Eh

RE Agent in CT » I Win The Carnival Eh — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:31:37 +0000

[...] Nina discusses Where to Live: Gay Ghetto or Integrated Neighborhood [...]

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By: Doug Quance

Doug Quance — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:46:12 +0000

I have had many clients move from ITP (Inside the Perimeter) in Atlanta to OTP. Acceptance grows each year. Nowadays it's more than just location - it's the size of the home... and you can get more home if you get a little further out of town. I am surprised that Atlanta wasn't on the list.

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By: I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Carnival of Real Estate #35 at miOaklandCounty - The Scoop on Michigan Real Estate

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:02:32 +0000

[...] Nina discusses Where to Live: Gay Ghetto or Integrated Neighborhood posted at Queercents. [...]

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By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:52:25 +0000

For what it's worth, a friend of mine from Tucson was surprised that Tucson was on the Advocate list. He doesn't think of Tucson as particularly great for gays and lesbians.

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By: John

John — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:00:12 +0000

I'm surprised by how Seattle wasn't on the list. When Zac and I visited in October, we were impressed by its gay-friendliness, and by how integrated the community was. A mecca like San Francisco is pretty good if you're trying to "find yourself" while becoming comfortable with your sexual orientation. That's part of the reason I moved out here ages ago. Now I feel like I could live just about anywhere. If and when we move, the one thing I'll miss about San Francisco is being able to hold Zac's hand in public without it being a big deal. Sure, you can hold your partner's hand just about anywhere in this country, but in San Francisco, it's an unnotable part of the background, which is nice.

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