[SooooReady]

Hello All! Hey I have enjoyed many of the comments on the other FLA threads, but I haven’t seen this topic. My partner and I are a Gay couple. We are in our mid-late 40’s, two Boston’s, no kids. We have lived in DC, NYC, Vegas, Honolulu, Atlanta, London, Amsterdam and Italy. I mention this as some of you might relate to our experiences. We enjoy rural areas for some vacations, but in our hearts, feel the most comfortable living in urban areas. Like nothing more than to be able to walk to restaurants, Starbucks, cinema, shops, etc. We drive when necessary, but don’t want to become slaves to the automobile. Add to that, we would like to live in a community where our gayness is not a distraction, not an oddity. Have experienced enough Homophobia for several lifetimes and in early retirement, would like to know what it’s like to NOT be a minority.

We were both raised in FLA (Tampa Bay area) and so much has changed in the last 20-30 years. So I am asking all of you...aside from Key West and SoBe (not that we know specifics about these two places), are there any gay oriented communities in FLA and could you take a moment to talk about the pros and cons. Being on or near a beach would be a great plus.

I respect the rights of all of the conservative/Christian types out there. Go live a happy life. Please don’t bother with the slurs and remarks; there’s nothing we all haven’t heard 1,000 times before. Thanks for keeping this positive and for your feedback!

[TriMT7]

Ft. Lauderdale is a gay mecca. The Wilton Manors neighborhood especially!

[brikag]

Hello. My partner and I found these websites useful.

http://hrc.org/
http://gaydemographics.org/

We're still looking ourselves. But it has narrowed down the search.
Good luck my GLBT friends!!!!

[SooooReady]

I have Googled Wilton Manors and not a whole lot came up. Have you been?

[SooooReady]

Thanks for the leads BriKag! If you have done some "narrowing," can you share...maybe your Top 5? I promise not to tell anyone.

[brikag]

I don't mind...
This is all over the US. And they have valid points for a GLBT family....

1.) Minneapolis, MN
2.) Portland, OR
3.) Middleton, CT
4.) Alburquerque, NM
5.) Audabon, NJ

We presently live in LA-LA land. It gets old quickly. Plus, planning for a family puts everything in a different perspective for the furture.

[SooooReady]

It's an interesting list. Pretty diverse too. I've heard it said that the best place to live is where you are happiest. I am at a stage in my life where I am sick of being cold, the thrill of four seasons is waning. And I've read plenty of postings from people who have lost their desire for the heat and sunshine. So even that can get old too, for some people. But from Minneapolis to Albuquerque? What's wrong with LA-LA Land?

[brikag]

God! Where to begin.......
1. Congestion
2. House prices
3. Mexicans
4. Heat in the summers
5. Mexicans
6. The job ethics
7. Mexicans
8. MEXICANS.

I'm Filipino, Spanish, and Japanese. I went to an all white catholic school. I have never seen more racism in LA from the Mexicans than any other race. I'm not racist. I'm partnered with a Russian/Cuban. But, I tell you, all this hatred between the races and class and lifestyles... it puts a toll on you.

[cariad]

Gulfport for the past several years has been undergoing an art deco/retro revival . Many arts, craft stores and restaurants.

[Dalt10]

What would you think if someone said this about La-La land?
1. Congestion
2. House prices
3. Gays
4. Heat in the summer
5. Gays
6. The job ethics
7. Gays
8. Gays
Is that hatred between the lifestyles? or is it different because it's not a race?