[rswfire]

Hi,

I've done quite a bit of reading on this site, and unfortunately I am getting conflicting information, partly because some of the posts go as far back as seven years ago. There has been a lot of helpful posts though, so I'm hoping you will extend that courtesy to me also.

I don't really define myself by my sexual orientation, which is gay, but because of that, I think I'm kind of missing out on being happy in some regards. My favorite activity is hiking, and I spend a lot of time in the outdoors. I'm from Michigan, but I've lived in Kentucky for the past seven years. I love it here, but I don't have much in the way of a social life in the small town I currently live in.

I've been to Jacksonville and Fort Walton Beach. I really loved the atmosphere of Jacksonville at night and it is probably at the top of my list. I've also thought about St. Petersburg, even though I know I'd probably be sacrificing the nature if I moved there. Do you think any of these would be good choices for me? And is there any specific neighborhood or area I should be looking at?

As far as cost, I'm not looking to buy a house. I'd only want to do that if I felt like I had finally found the place I want to spend the rest of my life. I do prefer to rent houses over apartments though and my budget would be ~$1500, although the less, the better (xD).

I don't consider my needs very complex. Basically, I love solitude, but I'm human, and I enjoy interaction with others also and would like to live somewhere I feel pretty welcome. I need a place where I can balance the two. Something close to both city life and nature where I can do some exploring (though it just occurred to me exploring in FL might get you killed by an alligator, haha). Maybe I should consider somewhere else. I'm definitely open to suggestions!

Thanks for any feedback.

[kyle19125]

As a gay male with similar interests who has lived elsewhere, I would recommend looking outside of Florida. If you want an outdoorsy environment with hiking, etc. and a welcoming gay-friendly community check out a few cities in North Carolina. Check out Asheville, Winston Salem and Durham. I have a good working knowledge of all three cities and would be happy to answer any questions if you want to send me a direct message.

[rswfire]

Thanks for the advice, Kyle. I've decided I'm going to take a road trip for a few months starting in February and explore the places you mentioned as well as Jacksonville, St. Pete, and Miami. It's not an easy decision to make and research will only get me so far. NC happens to be one of the places I always considered (Raleigh specifically) so they are good suggestions.

[Hawaii4evr]

Might I ask why you want somewhere in North Florida? Seems most of the LGBT-friendly areas are in South Florida (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, etc).

[rswfire]

Originally Posted by Hawaii4evr

Might I ask why you want somewhere in North Florida? Seems most of the LGBT-friendly areas are in South Florida (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, etc).

That's true...but it's very tropical there. I'm gay, but that's just one part of me. I have a really deep love for nature...wooded forests in particular...and palm trees are just not my thing basically. I have a friend in Jacksonville who says there is still some "normal" nature in the north part of the city...and from what I could see on Google Maps, it seems like he's right.

[smarino]

Jacksonville is essentially Lower Alabama. I'll let you figure out the mindset from there. If you don't wish to go further south, than St. Pete should be OK.

[SeaLark7]

Must admit when I first read this topic's name, I was concerned that the question was from someone homophobic who wanted to move to a less gay-friendly area ! Relieved to see it is simply about a less TROPICAL area that is gay friendly.

[rswfire]

Originally Posted by SeaLark7

Must admit when I first read this topic's name, I was concerned that the question was from someone homophobic who wanted to move to a less gay-friendly area ! Relieved to see it is simply about a less TROPICAL area that is gay friendly.

Ha. Funny thing, grammar.

That didn't cross my mind when I posted this. I'll add a comma! (or not, apparently can't edit at this point)

...

I live in KY, so I can't imagine AL is much worse. Maybe it is such a cultural difference in FL (I really wouldn't know) that you guys think I am looking for some magical place there where gay people have made some sort of promised land for themselves, ha.

I'm more interested in living in an area where I have not separated myself from the nature I love, or from the people I am most likely to connect with. There is quite literally nothing around here for me to do. I sacrifice one over the other. If I went to South Florida, I'd be doing the same thing, only sacrificing the opposite.

But, who knows, maybe I would like the tropical atmosphere...for a few years, at least. There's nothing that says it has to be permanent, though moving is not as much fun as it was when I was in my early 20's. If I did go to South Florida, I would still need some kind of outlet from the world where I get adequate fresh air and exercise.

I work from home, so I spend a lot of time indoors. The hikes I go on are generally 15-20 miles in length on the weekends, 6 miles on weekdays.

[Hawaii4evr]

I would go with Tampa, specifically, Ybor City

[Flem125]

Originally Posted by smarino

Jacksonville is essentially Lower Alabama. I'll let you figure out the mindset from there. If you don't wish to go further south, than St. Pete should be OK.

That would be lower Georgia to the geographically challenged.
Actually...Jacksonville has a quite large gay community...especially in the Riverside/Avondale area.
Regardless of what people who don't live in Jacksonville will tell you...I think you would find Jacksonville a great place to live.
We've been here 4 years and absolutely LOVE it!!!!