huntsville more progressive ? (Birmingham, Vincent: transplants, 2014, college)

[lem1985]

is Huntsville more progressive than the rest of the state mainly the other 3 cities( bham, mobile, montgomery) ?.....in general speaking

[lem1985]

well i got the topic from al.com this morning and i came across a couple of interviewers saying Huntsville is more progressive than the others

[RatSnake]

Originally Posted by Harry Garbanzo Bean

It is true. Huntsville is similar to many Northern California cities... Most notably IMHO, San Jose.

I am from San Jose, CA. Lived off Bascom Ave., familiar with Campbell and surrounding areas.
Lived walking distance from Winchester Mystery House.

Been here 5+ years ... how is Huntsville similar to San Jose?

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by Harry Garbanzo Bean

It is true. Huntsville is similar to many Northern California cities... Most notably IMHO, San Jose.

Originally Posted by RatSnake

I am from San Jose, CA. Lived off Bascom Ave., familiar with Campbell and surrounding areas.
Lived walking distance from Winchester Mystery House.

Been here 5+ years ... how is Huntsville similar to San Jose?

Uh-oh, busted.

This is one of the go to qualities that HSV has held dear for quite some time. It amounts to little more then anecodotal banter with no real way of quantifying it, IMO. But it does have a large amount of transplants. And it does have space and rockets. In Birmingham we love the Gov' nor, but there is huge movement here lately to put the city on the national stage by sending bids in to host the DNC and World Games. Lots of attention being put in to revitalize our downtown core. Big emphasis on making it attractive for young 20-30 somethings that like the urban lifestyle as well as medical professionals that will work for the two big hospitals in the immediate downtown area (UAB & St. Vincent's). Lots of attention being paid to enhancing greenspaces, convention center space, museums, and on and on and on. HSV does not have the monopoly on progressiveness.

[NoleFanHSV]

Define Progressive? I don't mean to be smart, but I personally think Huntsville feels like it has more conservative leanings that Birmingham in many aspects of politics and social life. Engineers hold on to their money tight here. Birmingham is much more urban though

[Reactionary]

"look to Karl Marx"? Groucho could've run things better than the followers of Karl.

Almost every elected official in the Huntsville area (State and County) is a conservative Republican. Even though the City elections are non-partisan, most City elected officials are conservative Republicans.

[Southlander]

I'd say Birmingham would be more "progressive," if that's how you define LGBT friendliness. But not by much.

[NoleFanHSV]

Very pertinent and recent article on LGBT here in Huntsville:

College student at LGBT rally: It's OK to be gay in Huntsville, not rest of state | AL.com

[CoreLysium]

It's pretty conservative. I think only about a third are embarrassed by the Tea Party.

Edited to add: Oh, if this is a "I'm an ___ moving to your state, will people hate me?" thread. No, nobody cares about anything as long as you keep your lawn mowed. Seriously.

[bluebeard]

Originally Posted by Harry Garbanzo Bean

It is true. Huntsville is similar to many Northern California cities... Most notably IMHO, San Jose.

Not even close.

From San Jose as well.