Progressive/Liberal Suburbs with Good Schools? (Denver, Aurora: loft, condo, new home)

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by the3Ds

I guess it would be helpful to define progressive/liberal.

Do you mean areas who voted for Obama and the Democrats? Well, that would be nearly every one of Denver's suburbs.

Do you mean a place with a lot of racial diversity? According to the Denver Post on Sunday, that would be many of Denver's suburbs as well.

Colorado by and large is a fairly educated and tolerant place. Having lived all over the US and growing up in Seattle, you aren't going to find a place that is as "liberal" as Portland or Seattle. Legalizing doctor assisted suicides and pot just haven't quite gained the stronghold that it has in Portland.

That being said, while there are parts of Colorado that are very conservative, most of Colorado considers itself Democratic (whatever that means) and the fact that it attracts many outsiders with higher degrees means that social liberalism usually follows.

However, if you're looking for a place that declares a school trip and brings their elementary school kids to a gay marriage ceremony (a la San Francisco), or a place where people stand around and defecate on the US flag (a la Portland), you will need to find somewhere else to live.

Tolerance here is given to most, but those who like to call themselves "liberal" in order to act like morons and pretend to be the oh-so-intellectual class will find themselves pretty alienated. Most of us don't care what you do in your own house as long as it doesn't trickle into our subdivisions.

Essentially it's more libertarian. Live and let live for the most part

[nmsegal]

Libertarian is good, I think that's pretty close to what Portland is at its core. We're not defacate-on-the-flag people, but can't say I have an issue with a field trip to witness a civil rights victory. We live in the most "liberal" part of Portland, but we're conventional/corporate types (if you really had to lable us) so I wouldn't describe us as extreme in any way.

Any other neighborhood thoughts are welcome and extremely appreciated. We'll check out Westminster too, sounds nice. Thanks to all taking the time to respond.

[boulderama]

Check

[boulderama]

Check out Lafayette,Louisville,Broomfield..great north locations--Boulder/Denver access..And as another poster has said before there are some affordable parts of Boulder at least by California standards..

[Jerry Bckr]

What's the big concern with a liberal neighborhood? Do you plan on talking politics with your neighbors every day? Most people have been taught to not talk about religion or politics in social situations, if you want to remain friends with the people you know. There are plenty of good schools in all parts of town. In your price range, you'll be fine. Generally, schools in communities of high priced homes tend to be above average. In most areas, homes in that size will be from the $400K to over $600K or higher, depending on the neighborhood. Denver has had Democratic mayors as long as I've been here. The suburbs ebb and flow depending on the issues. If you have to have hard core liberal, than Boulder is the place for you.

[Jerry Bckr]

PS: I forgot to add to check out my album that has photos of Ken Caryl Ranch. It's in the SW part of the suburbs, has a mountain feel, and I would say pretty progressive on most issues, especiall the environment.

[the3Ds]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Essentially it's more libertarian. Live and let live for the most part

I think it's more of a "western" thing myself. There's a sort of individuality that is incomparable out here and though many of us are transplants, we've adopted the attitude. It is the kind of place, however, where it's likely your neighbor owns a gun, there are meat and potatoes types of restaurants, people hang the American flag outside of their houses (though not to do the shove it in your face patriotism that seems to be popular elsewhere) and the kids in school still say the Pledge of Allegience. As a contrast, however, it has a very low participation rate of church goers and votes Democratic. It's an interesting mix, I think. We defy most stereotypes politically and socially, but unlike other states I've lived in, most people here seem to live by the laissez faire approach to life.

[the3Ds]

Originally Posted by nmsegal

Libertarian is good, I think that's pretty close to what Portland is at its core. We're not defacate-on-the-flag people, but can't say I have an issue with a field trip to witness a civil rights victory. We live in the most "liberal" part of Portland, but we're conventional/corporate types (if you really had to lable us) so I wouldn't describe us as extreme in any way.

Again, I am amazed at some of the questions on this site. One post was "is Denver racist against gay, black men?" another was "is Denver a good place to live for a black single woman" and now this question. What do people think we are out here? Do they think we all walk around in cotton dresses with bibles in our hand or that the KKK is marching through LoDo? Geez. I haven't ridden my horse into town and tied it up to the front of the local saloon since yesterday.

If you are going to stereotype our city and try to find your own version of Portland, you will likely find it in Boulder. Is that the question? Where can we move so that we don't have to blend in with the locals and can continue to pretend you still live in Portland but now have to live here? Boulder is closer to the class field trip to witness a gay marriage ceremony more than any suburb in Denver. By the way, why do you want to live in the suburbs? Most are filled with Best Buy, Applebees, minivans, carpools, soccer games and people walking their dogs. It seems like someone who's first concern is a "liberal/progressive" area followed by one that has good schools would hate everything having to do with suburbia.

Incidentally, the stand of Libertarians is the primary belief that individuals should be able to rule themselves with minimal inteference from the government. It's been confused by those who want to claim to be libertarians in order to create anarchy and act like morons, but those who are leaders in the Libertarian party are the most outspoken about things like this bail out bill and horror-of-horrors, the HOAs that seem to dominate our suburbs. It's not a catch phrase for "cool place to live." Your Libertarian neighbor is the one who paints his house neon green, grows pot in his backyard and has an RV in his driveway that hold his friends who come for an extended visit.

[vegaspilgrim]

These are excellent points, the3Ds! I've never been able to wrap my mind around people that just have to live surrounded by others who think exactly the way they do. It's almost like they're too insecure about their beliefs to just be an individual. And from my experience it's actually the "liberals" who are the worst offenders of wanting to section themselves off from everyone else.

[the3Ds]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

These are excellent points, the3Ds! I've never been able to wrap my mind around people that just have to live surrounded by others who think exactly the way they do. It's almost like they're too insecure about their beliefs to just be an individual. And from my experience it's actually the "liberals" who are the worst offenders of wanting to section themselves off from everyone else.

I just get tired of people who move to an area and try to make it into the one they just left. My husband got a job here and we moved here without knowing anything about Denver. We moved from Florida and I loved it there, but I don't spend my time complaining about the lack of seafood and beaches or southern Baptists! It's about embracing what is unique about your new city.