Gay friendly NC? (Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham: chapel, place to live, price)

[bommerang]

My partner and I are considering moving to NC (from Florida). We have to commute out of Raleigh/Durham Airport, so we would need to be within an hours drive - but still would like to have some land (3-5 acres). Any suggestions as to what towns have a rural feel, are close to convieneces and are a bit more progressive?

[nyxmike]

I would look at Chapel Hill/Carrboro.

[mhogan10010]

Rural and Progressive in NC?
I lived in rural communities at both ends of NC. Can't say I would call them progressive.
nyxmike is probably right, but acreage in those areas?
Asheville is of course the new little San Francisco, but not in driving distance to RDU.

[bommerang]

Thanks for the info.

[HGONZ001]

I am not sure if you will be able to find a "progressive" area in rural NC. I am moving from FL to Charlotte and my life partner and I are not too concern about gay friendly areas. However, I would think that the rural areas are just as bad as rural FL is regarding gays and lesbians. Good luck and be careful out there.

[MaimounaKande]

Chapel Hill and Carrboro!!

There are rural parts of both Chapel Hill and Carrboro, so yes, you could find that. You would be within the limits of Ch or Carrboro, but not in the town itself...they are liberal, progressive, and diverse. We live here and LOVE it (we are not a "traditional" family). You can absolutely get 3-5 acres here and a rural feel while being 5-10 minutes from town.

[nyxmike]

Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Orange County is pretty liberal and progressive. I would look around these areas but like someone else mentioned, the acreage might be hard to find. You should be able to atleast get an acre or two but I don't know what your price range is.

[bommerang]

You have all been very helpful. I appreciate it. We have ten acres in N. Florida now but have to drive 40 minutes to get to anything other than Wal -Mart.

[vandemusser]

I really can't believe no one has posted that you may want to look at Asheville. The area downtown and adjacent to it is extremely gay-friendly. People will say that it gets less tolerant the farther out you go from there, but it will be that way anywhere in NC.

If you can work from home, or don't need to work, it's a great place to live. Moving here with the hopes of getting a great-paying job may leave you shell-shocked, but I can't think of anywhere in NC that is more open-minded than Asheville.

That, and the weather and scenery is better than anywhere east of here.

Worth a look.

[vandemusser]

Oops - noticed you're looking for "rural", which makes downtown Asheville kind of problematic. To get that kind of acreage, you'll need to move far enough out that you may start running into a more conservative mindset.

If you can get past the acreage requirement, though, it's a good option.