Considering Cincinatti, but I have some reservations (Columbus, Hamilton: apartments, insurance)

[aquila]

Originally Posted by restorationconsultant

Aquila, Our neighbors around the block from us have chickens. To a city boy like me thats pretty rural. We routinely have racoons, rabbits, and deer wander down the street in the early morning. I wouldn't say we are exactly the definition of an urban area, even though we are in the city. It is very low density over here and we are surrounded by woods and open space.

Well, sure....but you can see deer in Mt. Airy, or raccoons in the middle of Oakley and Eden Park, or rabbits in the backyards of homes in Clifton. That doesn't mean those are "rural" areas. I'd venture a guess you could find chickens being raised somewhere in College Hill....still, that doesn't define "rural". My house in Delhi was on a 1.5 acre lot, with woods in the backyard. But it wasn't "rural".

All I was pointing out was that, for most people, "rural" implies "country" and "farms"...not low density suburban areas.

And besides, the OP has since stated she would be willing to consider a suburban area so long as she has some space between her and the neighbors. So I posted my response to you before she said that.

[labrynthlily]

I've heard alot about the east side of the city being more liberal. Does that apply to the areas further out as well like Batavia?

Are there any areas to the east that are affordable and safe?

[aquila]

Originally Posted by labrynthlily

I've heard alot about the east side of the city being more liberal. Does that apply to the areas further out as well like Batavia?

Are there any areas to the east that are affordable and safe?

If I had to guess, I'd say Clermont county is probably not considered "liberal" - but then again, as I said above, I'm not as familiar with the socio-political climate east of I-275. It seems a bit "Bible belt-ish" to me...not that I'm saying that in a negative way, since I'm a Christian. Just expressing it as an observation. Clermont county voted red in last year's election, if that is any indicator. But then, so did Butler county and it's pretty accepting up here.

[Wilson513]

Well, once again we struggle with stereotypes and labels. When asked for a "liberal" neighborhood, folks immediately look to red or blue, GOP or Democrat. On this basis, a really liberal neighborhood would be the West End where the population votes almost 100% Democrat. But, guess what? Urban blacks are the least of all demographic groups to be tolerant of homosexuality.

No, when a lesbian couple seeks a "liberal" neighborhood, what they really want is "tolerant." A place where the kids will not be ridiculed by other kids for having two "mommies." Where, they will be welcome in the block watch meeting, or not be excluded from the usual block activities because of their sexual orientation. That is not liberal, it is tolerant.

Mt. Lookout and Hype Park are the most tolerant neighborhoods and the most likely to accept alternative lifestyles. Just sit on HP Square for an hour and check out the people. You will see every combination of young and old, black, brown, white and Asian, and all sexual orientations. And, I've never heard of any incident of prejudice or bigotry in the 50 or so years I've lived here.

[WhereForARt]

Yes, but Mt. Lookout and Hyde Park are also two of the most expensive neighborhoods in Cincinnati - for that matter, in Hamilton County. It sounds like the OP is wanting something under $75k, and there is nothing in either neighborhood even close to that range.

If you get east of the 275 belt, you can generally find cheaper properties. Or check out neighborhoods within Cincinnati, like Madisonville. I live there, and have never felt unsafe and it's an extremely diverse neighborhood.

The fact is - your budget is going to limit the places you can buy. If you want diversity and a guarantee of accommodation, you'd be better off sticking within the city limits. Otherwise, head out to the rural areas on the north, east or west, but you will find more conservative attitudes there generally.

[aquila]

Wilson1010, read the OP again. I'm not disagreeing with what you said regarding the difference between being "liberal" and "tolerant", but usually when you hear that someone is laid back, eco-friendly, and open-minded - and expresses mild concern about Cincinnati's "conservative" reputation - it generally means they are liberal, and more interested in finding a liberal environment, not simply one that is tolerant.

And I agree with WhereForARt...Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout are simply FAR too expensive.

[Wilson513]

Originally Posted by aquila

Wilson1010, read the OP again. I'm not disagreeing with what you said regarding the difference between being "liberal" and "tolerant", but usually when you hear that someone is laid back, eco-friendly, and open-minded - and expresses mild concern about Cincinnati's "conservative" reputation - it generally means they are liberal, and more interested in finding a liberal environment, not simply one that is tolerant. . . .

You are right about the broader picture of "liberalism." But, I would take issue with the eco-friendly part. I would bet that West Chester (not known as the bosom of liberalism ) has more recycling bins and hybrid vehicles per capita than Northside, Clifton, etc. Same for Mt. Lookout!

[aquila]

Actually, I've never seen any recycling bins around West Chester. I certainly don't have them available to me in my neighborhood. I know for a fact that Oxford has them. And I see more SUVs around here than anything....which, granted, honks me off. (No pun intended.)

West Chester may be more red than blue, but it's still open and accepting enough that a lesbian couple could feel comfortable in the area. I really don't think there are too many liberal areas around Cincinnati that are going to give the OP all that she's seeking....cheap, eco-friendly, rural. I simply think when it comes to Butler as opposed to Clermont county, Butler county would be the better choice. But as I've said, I'm just basing that on my own observation of what Clermont county seems to be like.

[Wilson513]

Oh, do you have private trash pick up up there? Geez, you gotta figure out how to recycle everything.

[NorthPoleMarathoner]

Why do people think Conservatives are closed minded, hate minorities and gays and want to destroy the environment??????????????????????

I never could figure that one out. I like to think of myself as an Anarcho-Capitalist, which is neither lib or conservative, and I think it is funny how libs are always painting conservatives.

It is obvious to any objective bystander that libs are by far the least tolerant of any group and don't give a rat's ass about blacks or gays or the envoronment. Conservatives only dislike foreigners. Libs hate everyone.

Never mind the fact that libs are retarded when it comes to economic issues. Unless you like everyone being poor.

If your going to have a government then conservatism ideas are clearly superior to anything the libs came up with.

I'm not trying to start an argument here. But it is little (lot) ridiculous how the "enlightened" libs try and pretend to be.

If I were gay I would much prefer to live in a "conservative" neighborhood. It's a no-brainer.