Relocating: Small but leftist towns? (Boulder, Durango: home, college, gated communities)

[albinoazian]

Originally Posted by Charles

There isn't much difference between a town perceived as liberal and a town perceived as conservative. (I deliberately used "perceived"; I think a lot of it is perception.) I don't "feel" that much different walking around in Berkeley than I would in San Diego - certainly not enough to offset any of ten or so other factors when deciding on a place to live (as is the context of the original poster).

What about Berkley and Amarillo?

[DgoNative]

Or Branson and Las Vegas?

[delta07]

I live on the western slope of Colorado and it certainly is not liberal. In fact, I cannot wait to move. There are places (Durango, Gunnison, maybe Montrose) that are somewhat liberal, however it is very difficult to make a living in those areas because of their remoteness. If you find that perfect town let me know! I am looking for it as well.

[libmom]

Charles wrote:

I would think cost of housing, availability of jobs, commuting quality, amenities, infrastructure, even microclimate would have more of a bearing a person's quality of life. So what happens if the forum points to the most liberal, left leaning, tie dyed, grateful-dead-in-the-doctor's-waiting-room town and there are no jobs there?

Well, we are fortunate that we get to take our jobs with us. And as lesbian moms, we find the cultural climate to be pretty important, as I'm sure it is for racial minorities as well. If we were a liberal straight family we might not care quite as much. But if you move to a place (as we did for a year, in PA) where your neighbors look the other way when you say hello (for a whole year!!), then that's a little too conservative. (said town in PA was also very hostile to Hispanics and blacks, I found). Not that I don't also lean conservative on certain issues (childrearing for one!), but I find that if a town has a strong majority of people who identify as "liberal" then it is much more likely to be friendly and open to alternative familes.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by libmom

Charles wrote:
Well, we are fortunate that we get to take our jobs with us. And as lesbian moms, we find the cultural climate to be pretty important, as I'm sure it is for racial minorities as well. If we were a liberal straight family we might not care quite as much. But if you move to a place (as we did for a year, in PA) where your neighbors look the other way when you say hello (for a whole year!!), then that's a little too conservative. (said town in PA was also very hostile to Hispanics and blacks, I found). Not that I don't also lean conservative on certain issues (childrearing for one!), but I find that if a town has a strong majority of people who identify as "liberal" then it is much more likely to be friendly and open to alternative familes.

You equate "liberal" with "tolerant." That sometimes is a stretch. Many "liberals" in Colorado's resort areas "talk the talk," but are affluent liberals who would have a conniption fit if someone poor, "undesirable," or even "redneck" moved next door to their trophy house. Liberal tolerance is fine for them, as long as anything undesirable in their mind is somewhere else, and not in their neighborhood. On the other hand, there are so-called "conservative" towns in Colorado where most residents don't concern themselves too much with their neighbors' lifestyle, as long as it doesn't involve running a meth lab or something in their neighborhood. For example, my family lives in one of those types of towns--two of the town's very successful businesspeople are gay--everybody knows it, and it doesn't seem to matter. As long as you are good parents (and there are plenty of "straight" parents who aren't), I would think most people would be accepting of your lifestyle, even if it is one they personally would not embrace.

[Shuffler]

I'd say you'll do far better in a college town, or at least find more of what you're looking for....and a larger school at that, such as CU, CSU, etc. Not sure you'll have much luck outside of the Front Range...at least on the scale that you're looking for.

[DgoNative]

I'd still think libmom should check out Durango. It is extremely liberal when it comes to different lifestyles. I know there is a huge lesbian community here, as my mom was on one of the lesbian softball teams. The gay man community isn't so prevalent, but it is growing as proven by the demand to have gay nights at a few of the bars in town. And what with Fort Lewis College above town, there is a strong sense of open-mindedness as most of the town is highly educated. And as for the "affluent liberals", I've never seen anything to that affect. If they are so concerned about not being bothered to live amongst the normals, then they have ample opportunity to go live in one of the ritzy-gated communities around town. I strongly feel that Durango may be the town for you. It has great schools, awesome outdoor recreation, a diversified economy, a strong community feel, and not just tolerant but accepting people. And frankly, I'd feel better about the place if more people like you moved in.

[delta07]

I know from your post that you are looking into other areas of the country as well. Have you ever considered Montana? I know it isn't the first place you think of in regards to a gay community. However, Missoula is a very liberal, hippie, embracing community. There are many gay and lesbian couples that have called Missoula home. My sister has lived there for 10 years and absolutely loves it! It has an awesome sense of community, great downtown, tons of outdoor recreation opportunities, and all the ammenities you would need. In fact, it is a community on my short list right now. The one concern with the area is the weather. The winters tend to be overcast and cold. However, my sister swears it is not that bad.

[colorado native]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

You equate "liberal" with "tolerant." That sometimes is a stretch. Many "liberals" in Colorado's resort areas "talk the talk," but are affluent liberals who would have a conniption fit if someone poor, "undesirable," or even "redneck" moved next door to their trophy house. Liberal tolerance is fine for them, as long as anything undesirable in their mind is somewhere else, and not in their neighborhood. On the other hand, there are so-called "conservative" towns in Colorado where most residents don't concern themselves too much with their neighbors' lifestyle, as long as it doesn't involve running a meth lab or something in their neighborhood. For example, my family lives in one of those types of towns--two of the town's very successful businesspeople are gay--everybody knows it, and it doesn't seem to matter. As long as you are good parents (and there are plenty of "straight" parents who aren't), I would think most people would be accepting of your lifestyle, even if it is one they personally would not embrace.

Odd that you equate liberal with wealthy, actually. Most of the wealthy I know around Durango are most definitely conservative Republican types, while the Ski bum/River rat/Trout bum/Trail bum community are almost all liberal.

Trophy home means Republican from Texas more often than it means liberal from California around here.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by colorado native

Odd that you equate liberal with wealthy, actually. Most of the wealthy I know around Durango are most definitely conservative Republican types, while the Ski bum/River rat/Trout bum/Trail bum community are almost all liberal.

Trophy home means Republican from Texas more often than it means liberal from California around here.

I think Durango is somewhat of an anomaly because it still actually has some semblance of economic reality about it. Compare it with Aspen, Telluride, Crested Butte, a good chunk of Vail/Beaver Creek, or a lot of Summit County, though, and a different picture emerges. Most of those places are WAY liberal, and many of the liberals are in the "wine and Brie" crowd. The "poor" liberals got priced out of those places a long time ago. And it really doesn't matter whether the guy in the trophy house is a conservative Texan or a liberal Californian--the presence of them and their lifestyle is damaging both the natural and cultural heritage of the state--their impacts are not benign.