39 year old gay white male. Wondering if Columbus is for me (Republic: fit in, apartment)

[mysticaltyger]

I currently live in San Jose, California, which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

I know that anywhere I move to I will miss the California weather. That said, I'm wondering if Columbus is for me.

I am gay and out of the closet, but am basically conservative in my politics/outlook. So I really don't feel like I fit in to the Bay Area milieu. San Jose is dominated by tech nerds. San Francisco by extreme left wing political correctness. The general area is expensive, and the general lifestyle of people without kids is to blow a lot of money on entertainment etc. People don't seem to understand how to have fun by just hanging out, except for maybe the many recent immigrants, who tend to stick closer to their families & extended families.

I am looking for a place where I can live an urban lifestyle that is not ridiculously expensive. I live in a cute studio apartment in a downtown and walk to work. I realize walking to work is tough to do in any city unless you live in Manhattan. But if I'd be happy to rent a small apartment in a walkable neighborhood that is affordable, with maybe a short bus commute.

I'd like to live in a place that is relatively gay friendly, but the gay-mecca of San Francisco has never really inspired me.

[coach123]

Columbus is definitely gay friendly. There is a large gay community in the German Village area which is near downtown and very walkable. The downtown in Columbus is nothing compared to San Francisco. There are pockets such as German Village, Short North, Victorian Village, but generally it is very rare that people can walk to work.

[Seafood Guy]

You'll be just fine. Just move to the Short North area and German Village.

German Village is often referred to as Gerbil Village.

[streetcreed]

German Village is often referred to as Gerbil Village.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/colum...#ixzz0VCE8KBJ3

'

What an ignorant comment.

On the OP's question: Being part of Columbus' LGBT community I can attest to the fact that it is a welcoming place.

Columbus does have many great urban neighborhoods. North and south of downtown are many older neighborhoods, with new builds, and lots of renovations, cute local stores, restaurants, markets, etc.

Columbus has a lively arts scene and while downtown is not as active (retail wise) as SF, there are lots of jobs downtown and near the central city neighborhoods. I live in the central city (just north of downtown) and do take public transportation to work in downtown.

[Seafood Guy]

It's not ignorant, it is what it is.

Are your feelings hurt?

It's well known around Columbus that German Village is very gay friendly, as is the Short North.

Just take a stroll on Craigslist and you'll see just how many gay men are on there looking for sex.

[coach123]

Originally Posted by Seafood Guy

It's not ignorant, it is what it is.

Are your feelings hurt?

It's well known around Columbus that German Village is very gay friendly, as is the Short North.

Just take a stroll on Craigslist and you'll see just how many gay men are on there looking for sex.

That is a strange comment. You typically just don't come across that on Craigslist unless you are looking for the same thing. Not sure that this is the sort of thing you want to post for everyone, but to each their own. I have ton of gay friends and I can tell you none of them are on any internet sites looking for anything.

[Tenzo]

MOD CUT

Just take a stroll on Craigslist and you'll see just how many gay men are on there looking for sex.

As for streetcreed; Welcome BACK!!!!!!! (we missed you!)

I can say with pretty good confidence that you would like German village.
I live there. Next to a gay guy in his 40's (we are in our 40's and the place is pretty much geared to older singles and couples. As opposed to the short north which is best when you are in your 20's)
German village is very conservative, laid back and beautiful.
My favorite neighborhood in Columbus. I consider myself very lucky that I ended up moving there.

Your biggest problem will be what to do with all you home equity. You can get a very nice place for around $150K, or a mansion for $500K. Taxes are about the same as California. Culture and food here is sorely lacking.

If your heart is set on the intersection of the bible belt and the midwest, this ain't a bad place.

Feel free to PM me for details.

[Ron.]

Seafood Guy said it best.

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I currently live in San Jose, California, which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

I know that anywhere I move to I will miss the California weather. That said, I'm wondering if Columbus is for me.

I am gay and out of the closet, but am basically conservative in my politics/outlook. So I really don't feel like I fit in to the Bay Area milieu. San Jose is dominated by tech nerds. San Francisco by extreme left wing political correctness. The general area is expensive, and the general lifestyle of people without kids is to blow a lot of money on entertainment etc. People don't seem to understand how to have fun by just hanging out, except for maybe the many recent immigrants, who tend to stick closer to their families & extended families.

I am looking for a place where I can live an urban lifestyle that is not ridiculously expensive. I live in a cute studio apartment in a downtown and walk to work. I realize walking to work is tough to do in any city unless you live in Manhattan. But if I'd be happy to rent a small apartment in a walkable neighborhood that is affordable, with maybe a short bus commute.

I'd like to live in a place that is relatively gay friendly, but the gay-mecca of San Francisco has never really inspired me.

[Seafood Guy]

Originally Posted by coach123

That is a strange comment. You typically just don't come across that on Craigslist unless you are looking for the same thing. Not sure that this is the sort of thing you want to post for everyone, but to each their own. I have ton of gay friends and I can tell you none of them are on any internet sites looking for anything.

Yeah, because your friends are really going to come out and say, "I've been posting ads looking for dick on Craigslist."

[Tenzo]

I can pretty comfortably say that Seafood guy does not live in German Village.
But this is the intersection of the midwest and the bible belt, so you are going to find more of this attitude than you will in California.

But don't let it worry you too much, they are busy saying bad things about Buddhists, Mexicans, Indians, People from Michigan, Republicans, politicians, non-christians, other christians, people from west virginia, etc. etc. Basically not like them. I find there is a lot of Xenophobia here.