[JProg305]

Between the Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Miami Metro areas, which is the most progressive or liberal? I'm not just talking about voting patterns but also the vibe. Which area has a larger vegetarian community, more independent businesses, more "hippie" communities, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated. I know Florida is not the most progressive/liberal state in the country (I was born and raised in the Miami area and I've lived in Tallahassee for seven years) but which areas are the best?

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by JProg305

Between the Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Miami Metro areas, which is the most progressive or liberal? I'm not just talking about voting patterns but also the vibe. Which area has a larger vegetarian community, more independent businesses, more "hippie" communities, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated. I know Florida is not the most progressive/liberal state in the country (I was born and raised in the Miami area and I've lived in Tallahassee for seven years) but which areas are the best?

As far as the Tampa Bay area, you can find a lot of that vibe in Sarasota now - if you go to "youtube" video website, you can search the Siesta Key Drum Circles. Also there are a lot of artists here, young and old, and a liberal "hippie college" (New College). There are TONS of natural food places including Whole Foods downtown and many others, as well as farmer's markets and veggie/organic restaurants all over town. Sarasota is also now known for being the "greenest" (as in sustainable) city in Florida.

I hear you can find this sort of vibe around downtown St. Pete, and probably to some extent in certain areas of Tampa.

Others can chime in on the other areas of Florida you asked about.

[JProg305]

Thanks gypsychic. I've only driven through Sarasota but I have several friends who went to New College. St. Pete does have a little bit of a progressive vibe, at least more than Tampa. What I've found is that most of Pinellas county (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin) seems to be a little more funky and bohemian while Hillsborough county (Tampa) seems to be a little more business oriented with lots of young professional yuppie types. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. The greater Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area has some bohemian areas but they are few and far between. Anyways, thanks for the input.

[Late_4_naught]

Tampa is a bore, Jacksonville appears to have some areas (perhaps Avondale?) but is either upper crust or country. Most of Miami is hard line right wing with the notable exception of the Biscayne corridor aka upper eastside, aka Miami MIMO district. Basically anywhere North of Downtown along Biscayne Blvd ending around Miami Shores has a very liberal vibe. South Beach, of course, swings to the left. Coconut Grove is a mixed bag nowadays.

[Angler]

St. Petersburg.

[JeepGirl118]

Originally Posted by Late_4_naught

Tampa is a bore

Only boring people get bored.

[TD*]

I don't think you can say Jacksonville is progressive in any way.

Its not a bad place, but progressive doesnt come to mind.

[cuba libre]

Originally Posted by JProg305

Between the Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Miami Metro areas, which is the most progressive or liberal? I'm not just talking about voting patterns but also the vibe. Which area has a larger vegetarian community, more independent businesses, more "hippie" communities, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated. I know Florida is not the most progressive/liberal state in the country (I was born and raised in the Miami area and I've lived in Tallahassee for seven years) but which areas are the best?

Ft. Lauderdale is probably the most progressive, maybe South Beach after that. Miami Beach is just crazy, but that alone doesn't make it 'progressive'. Gays and Jews, or high concentrations of both, are what to look for when judging the progressiveness of an area.

[georgia orwell]

St. Pete may have a "good vibe, if you don't mind the 700+ registered sex offenders living within the community; this must be one of the largest statistics in the state or country. It just depends on whether you consider this to be a "good vibe."

[AstroNut]

Gainesville, being a university town, is a progressive island in conservative sea (most of North Florida).