Moving to NYC from Atlanta (transportation, culture, lesbian)

[holden125]

Originally Posted by mead

Yeah I don't know how well lesbians would go down in Bay Ridge.

It's not Park Slope with rainbow flags and such, but I really don't think anyone in Bay Ridge would care all that much. My grandmother's next door neighbors were a married couple with 3 kids. Next thing you know, they divorced and wife moves in her female lover. They lived in that house for another 8 years or so and nobody really batted an eye.

No need for a .

[BXGEAR]

Originally Posted by Henna

Well, the people who live in JH are complaining non stop about the lack of good places to get a beer on tap where there aren't tvs blaring soccer matches and disco music. And it sure gets quiet around the historic district streets here at 11pm - not exactly a night-life loving crowd unless you are latino and hang out in the establishments on Roosevelt Ave. That's all I meant.

This is what I am talking about. Why would you want to move here if you want to be isolated from the local cultures? Immigrant infested Queens is not chic enough.

Originally Posted by Henna

Also i was kind of referring to another post by a younger couple in their 20's who were looking at Astoria and JH. I thought I should steer them towards Astoria since they seemed to be looking for the cool bar/cafe/galleries scene, which is not present for the most part in JH but it is in Astoria. You could try reading that thread if you want to get a better grasp on what I was saying.

Wow. I used to live in Astoria when rent was cheap. Why not save the local residents the trouble of higher rents and just find a place in Manhattan or Jersey or Brooklyn. Brooklyn is cool right?

[Henna]

Originally Posted by BXGEAR

This is what I am talking about. Why would you want to move here if you want to be isolated from the local cultures? Immigrant infested Queens is not chic enough.


Wow. I used to live in Astoria when rent was cheap. Why not save the local residents the trouble of higher rents and just find a place in Manhattan or Jersey or Brooklyn. Brooklyn is cool right?

Hi, Bx,
When I come on here to give advice I make a real effort to understand where people are coming from and what kinds of amenities they might want before I recommend a neighborhood. So if I read that someone wants bars, cafes and art galleries - I am assuming that they want a vibe that one can find in some neighborhoods of Brooklyn and possibly Astoria.

That's why if they are looking in Queens, I would recommend Astoria to them and not JH.

It apprears that you may be agreeing with me - that if someone wants hip-Brooklyn-type amenities, that they should not be looking for it in non-hip parts of Queens.

But it's hard to tell from your words. Please clarify.

[BXGEAR]

Originally Posted by Henna

Hi, Bx,
When I come on here to give advice I make a real effort to understand where people are coming from and what kinds of amenities they might want before I recommend a neighborhood. So if I read that someone wants bars, cafes and art galleries - I am assuming that they want a vibe that one can find in some neighborhoods of Brooklyn and possibly Astoria.

That's why if they are looking in Queens, I would recommend Astoria to them and not JH.

It apprears that you may be agreeing with me - that if someone wants hip-Brooklyn-type amenities, that they should not be looking for it in non-hip parts of Queens.

But it's hard to tell from your words. Please clarify.

In that case, Astoria/ Long Island City will be good

[_Lauren]

Go to NYC, then post this same thing again.
You'll have a whole new perspective on where you want to live.
You may not want to live in NJ or LI.
Visit around. Choose a specific borough. Personally, Manhattan or Brooklyn.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by _Lauren

Go to NYC, then post this same thing again.
You'll have a whole new perspective on where you want to live.
You may not want to live in NJ or LI.
Visit around. Choose a specific borough. Personally, Manhattan or Brooklyn.

With their budget, Manhattan isn't feasible. And with a baby schools need to be a priority. Rental housing in good school districts is very expensive...and when middle school is required, usually the quality further deteriorates and many children are in private schools (which START at around $20,000/year). Even parts of Brooklyn may be out of reach.

[_Lauren]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

With their budget, Manhattan isn't feasible. And with a baby schools need to be a priority. Rental housing in good school districts is very expensive...and when middle school is required, usually the quality further deteriorates and many children are in private schools (which START at around $20,000/year). Even parts of Brooklyn may be out of reach.

I agree. I totally forgot about the baby-budget.
Maybe Queens/Bronx.
Wherever you feel safe raising a child, and being lesbian.
I wouldn't settle in Harlem.

[l12]

Originally Posted by rubyfruitradio

Hi, I've never even been to NYC, but I hate Atlanta and since I've been a bit of a nomad in my adult life (left TX, moved to DC, now here), I'm open to change.

Just wondering, why do you hate Atlanta?

I'm currently deciding to move to Atlanta or NYC.

I have noticed that the gay/lesbians are not so 'out' in Atlanta, was that part of the problem?

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by l12

Just wondering, why do you hate Atlanta?

I'm currently deciding to move to Atlanta or NYC.

I have noticed that the gay/lesbians are not so 'out' in Atlanta, was that part of the problem?

I lived in Atlanta for almost 3 years (from 1998 until 2001), and I'm a gay man. There were TONS of stuff to do in midtown Atlanta for gay guys--but it centered around partying til 6am, drugs, pretty boys, parties with pretty boys, brunches with liquor and drugs, drag parties, and all things centered around partying and that lifestyle. Very bad for a normal life! Of course, that's all who you hang with too, but I found a lacking of grounded gay men in the circles I ran in.

Anyway, that aside, Atlanta was "evolving" in terms of its gay acceptance when I was there. There were pockets where you'd never know that anyone would ever not accept you for being gay--then you'd drive up to Buckhead or the perimeter--and you couldn't hold your boyfriend/girlfriend's hand without being stared at like you had 3 heads. Venture outside the "fruit loop" and you better be ready to fight some battles or be closeted. It was very unfriendly to gays in the suburbs/rural Atlanta area.

It may have changed for the better, and I hope so, but I'm sure there is a lot of work to do. The Atlanta area is still not *that* liberal, in general. The city itself is, but remember, it is still in the Bible belt of the south.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by l12

I have noticed that the gay/lesbians are not so 'out' in Atlanta, was that part of the problem?

Coming from a smaller town in Georgia I'm kinda like "Are you kidding me?" Atlanta is sooooooo gay compared to Columbus, Georgia! I only mention that to just say keep things in perspective.

But I'd actually suggest New Jersey over Brooklyn or Queens if you have a car. Having a car in New York seems like such a liability. I'm not from there but my stepdad works there (my mom still lives down here in Georgia but it works for them, totally saved their marriage) and from what he tells about car insurance and parking I couldn't imagine having a car unless I was in New Jersey or the outer boroughs. They say Montclair is real nice and gay friendly. But in general suburbs are not going to be gay friendly. In the end I say move to New Jersey.

But yeah why do you hate Atlanta? I think it's pretty awesome.

Terrence