[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by JAS

Asheville is one of those places that is nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there (and I spent many years in the piedmont of NC). There is a tremendous contrast of very wealthy versus very poor, and although the city has a historic downtown, it is unfortunately overrun by by the homeless and the trustafarians. And they do in fact bother people - I've been asked for money several times, which gets annoying, especially when the person hasn't bathed in several days.

I'm just callin' it as I see it. The mountains are beautiful, the history there is interesting -- but I think the city doesn't have enough of a true middle class for my taste.

LOL, and you are saying this living in FL? Sorry, I just find that odd.

PS - Regarding the homeless - you ever been to downtown Orlando? Downtown in any decent sized FL city? You see homeless people a lot! Not sure what the difference is. Homeless are homeless. They beg for food, cigarettes, money... that's in Asheville, Orlando or wherever. You cant expect because Asheville is such a pretty, vibrant, friendly places that there cant be homeless people.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Exactly right, just how I feel about it. And it's only liberal in the downtown, and maybe northside, other neighborhoods are ultra conservative, and very antagonistic toward outsiders. I also found the politics there too "radical" - like Berkeley California. Did not like that at all. I like a place that is "progressive" rather than radical liberal. It's a beautiful city with A LOT of problems. All the neat businesses are being run out of downtown from a combination of high rents and the panhandlers (many of whom camp out in the doorways of businesses. We're very happy to have sold our place there after realizing it was not a place we would ever retire too. So much happier here in Sarasota, where it's "progressive", and laid-back, but not radical at all.

I'm not sure that many would consider Sarasota "progressive". I guess it's all about your perspective. It's full of people with money and high education.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I'm not sure that many would consider Sarasota "progressive". I guess it's all about your perspective. It's full of people with money and high education.

It is only progressive compared to most of the south east, taken in the context of the United States...no it isn't IMO. If it were on the west coast or ne coast or parts of the north...no.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by grapico

It is only progressive compared to most of the south east, taken in the context of the United States...no it isn't IMO. If it were on the west coast or ne coast or parts of the north...no.

Sure, but at the end of the day it's the right fit for me, it's just "progressive enough" and that's all that counts. Those who want radical liberal, certainly can find it in other areas. You never know just how "liberal" a plce someone is looking for when they ask here. I try to answer about Florida, since this is the florida forum and they want to know how it is here. Florida is mostly a conservative state, with some cities and areas of cities being more progressive than others. I don't think anyone ever claimed any place here to be an in-your-face radical liberal place like San Fran, or Asheville-the-San-Fran-wannabe or wherever.

Now back to enjoying my day in my favorite city.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

I'm not sure that many would consider Sarasota "progressive". I guess it's all about your perspective. It's full of people with money and high education.

I think Sarasota is very pretty, but it seemed to be to be pretty hoity toity and somewhat unfriendly. I wouldnt even say unfriendly, just less friendly than I thought it would be. But compared to places like Orando and southeastern Florida, ppl were friendly.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Sure, but at the end of the day it's the right fit for me, it's just "progressive enough" and that's all that counts. Those who want radical liberal, certainly can find it in other areas. You never know just how "liberal" a plce someone is looking for when they ask here. I try to answer about Florida, since this is the florida forum and they want to know how it is here. Florida is mostly a conservative state, with some cities and areas of cities being more progressive than others. I don't think anyone ever claimed any place here to be an in-your-face radical liberal place like San Fran, or Asheville-the-San-Fran-wannabe or wherever.

Now back to enjoying my day in my favorite city.

LOL, Asheville than SanFran wanna be. People are moving from SF to Asheville, so I'm not sure it's a wanna be SF, lol. Much cleaner than SF too - people dont take dumps in the middle of the street in Asheville.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Scientifical Madness

LOL, Asheville than SanFran wanna be. People are moving from SF to Asheville, so I'm not sure it's a wanna be SF, lol. Much cleaner than SF too - people dont take dumps in the middle of the street in Asheville.

No, but they do pee in the parking lots, etc.

[Scientifical Madness]

There are no homeless people in Sarasota?

I've never seen a homeless person pee in the parking lots in Asheville. Not that they dont, but I think talking about homeless people and the need for them to pee somewhere is pretty evident, wherever you are.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by Scientifical Madness

There are no homeless people in Sarasota?

I've never seen a homeless person pee in the parking lots in Asheville. Not that they dont, but I think talking about homeless people and the need for them to pee somewhere is pretty evident, wherever you are.

sarasota has some bad parts...

[Scientifical Madness]

^^^ Yup, I saw them last time I was there last year. Very nice little shopping area by the water, but definitely saw some seedy areas too.