Relocating: Small but leftist towns? (Denver, Colorado Springs: real estate, buy, university)

[AMB8301]

I agree with DgoNative. There is also a large gay/lesbian population west of Durango in Mancos. It's a very small town, the last two mayors have been either gay or lesbian, not many small towns can boost that.

[ShellKing]

Telluride (San Miguel County) would seem to fit the bill if it's not too small or too expensive. On Amendment 43 (traditional marriage) it had the highest NO vote of any county in the state with over 70% vote on the No side. Of course, it's small . . . and remote . . . but beautiful.

[steve22]

Originally Posted by 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.

I would offer my two cents here and suggest that if Boulder fails the affordability test for this individual, then Durango certainly falls WAY out of range. The median price for a home in Durango last year, I read in the Durango Herald, was around $423,000. And that's not going to get you much more than maybe 3 BR's and 1500 sq. ft, if you're looking in town.

[denverian]

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.

Hey, why don't you move into my neighborhood, Stapleton. I'm a soon-to-be gay dad (with my partner) and our neighbors are so accepting and wonderful. There are other gay parents around and people make us feel like equals.

[RangerTodd]

I lived in Boulder for over 10 years. If you are looking for a small liberal town then check out Carbondale, its midway between Aspen and Vail, has the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers flowing through it. Mt. Sopris towers above the town. Weather is mild compared to other towns in the Valley (i.e. Aspen and Snowmass). Very Gay Friendly as well. Many gays and lesbians have made there way to Carbondale in the last few years.

[Katiana]

I don't usually recommend places I haven't been to, but I heard from a nurse friend that Paonia is similar to Boulder.

[Bob from down south]

How did this turn into another discussion of havens for homosexuals?

Not that I'm against keeping the linkage between liberalism and homosexuality alive...the association of liberalism and homosexual marriage was a key factor in keeping John Kerry out of the White House.

Anyway, I am certain that there are liberal towns on the plains that don't embrace immorality like a college town (Boulder) does. But if your liberal beliefs extend into immorality, then Boulder's definitely a good pick.

[Katiana]

Uh, did I say anything about homosexuality? The nurse from Paonia said there is a large contingency of anit-immunization people there.

[Bob from down south]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Uh, did I say anything about homosexuality? The nurse from Paonia said there is a large contingency of anit-immunization people there.

Nope, and my comment was not directed at your post, but rather to some of the others above it.

[zman0457]

It's always interesting to note the the most interesting, beautiful, culturally vibrant, tourist attracting, cities and towns are permeated by the immoral!