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Old 07-16-2013, 04:26 PM
 
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Definitely the smaller towns bordering Asheville, NC. Like Black Mountain, Weaverville , etc. for affordability. TONS of organic farmers, supported by all the grocers, tailgate markets, and restaurants. Real big here on farm-to-table. Lots of cooperative organic Eco villages outside of Asheville. And as someone up thread already mentioned, you can't beat Warren Wilson College for organic, sustainable agriculture.
Whole are is surrounded by Appalachian Range--the Smokies and Blue Ridge Mnts.
Good luck!
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:59 AM
 
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Boone NC area is same as Asheville but much smaller & higher elevation (we hate the sweltering, humid summers down the hill!) We love it, but abhor the rude Conservative Floridians that flock here in summer. You can stay pretty clear of them though. Asheville is 1.5 hours down the mtn. Lots of Csa's, Farmers Mkt & Organic Farming. App State is great w sustainability programs.
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Old 02-13-2014, 10:41 AM
 
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Originally Posted by VoteGREEN View Post
Boone NC area is same as Asheville but much smaller & higher elevation (we hate the sweltering, humid summers down the hill!) We love it, but abhor the rude Conservative Floridians that flock here in summer. You can stay pretty clear of them though. Asheville is 1.5 hours down the mtn. Lots of Csa's, Farmers Mkt & Organic Farming. App State is great w sustainability programs.
I agree! Also worth exploring for a good bit milder winter climate is nearby Banner Elk, which I love! Beautiful area and not as traffic congested as Boone.
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Old 02-15-2014, 10:40 PM
 
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Pennsylvania is Appalachia region. It's not as conservative as the southern Appalachian states, and it's not as expensive as upstate New York. Look to any small college town and you'll find a pocket of liberalness in the middle of rural conservatives. Somebody said that Pennsylvania was liberal Pittsburgh on one side and Philadelphia on the other and Alabama in the middle. But there are plenty of little college towns. Someone mentioned State College, PA. That's about as dead set in the middle of the Pennsylvania Appalachian mountains and it's extremely liberal because it's where Penn State's main campus is located.
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Old 02-15-2014, 10:43 PM
 
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Originally Posted by brightdoglover View Post
Maybe the area around state university in West Virginia? The presence of a state u might be more important for the intellectual/political climate than what state it's in.
Morgantown, WV is pretty liberal. That's WVU's main campus. There's a head shop on High Street. Totally serious.
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Old 02-16-2014, 12:06 AM
 
Location: The New England part of Ohio
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Originally Posted by juniperjennie View Post
Thanks for the replies so far.
Unfortunately, I don't know any "diehard conservatives" who wholeheartedly support organic farming - I think this past election cycle made it clear that the Republican party is NOT in favor of environmentally friendly policies. They still believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that climate change is a giant hoax.

We farm organically right now on rented land, and let me tell you - among conventional farmers (the great majority conservative) we are not treated kindly. We chose this livelihood because we care about the future of our earth and we wish to be good stewards of the land... we didn't necessarily choose it for political reasons. It has just turned out that our values are not represented among conservatives.

Towns and villages near Appalachian State University and Warren Wilson College may be a good place to start. Warren Wilson is a very progressive and green school in North Carolina.

Parts of Ohio are considered Appalachian and I am a transplant to that state from the NYC suburbs. The cost of living is very low and people in he North Eastern part of he state are tolerant and polite.
Many homes can be had for around 100K and with several acres.

I love he fact that we have so many well respected colleges and universities here - Oberlin, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Dennison, College of Wooster, Hiram, OSU, and Antioch.

Antioch is a very progressive school and Yellow Springs is vibrant community, with many green types.

I have an organic garden and I'm a vegetarian. My politics are left of center and Ohio is a comfortable state for me.

I'd also second hopes recommendation of Morgantown WV.
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Old 02-16-2014, 04:15 PM
 
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Originally Posted by ckhthankgod View Post
Actually, similar cities in Upstate NY like Oneonta and Plattsburgh actually have a lower overall cost of living. So, that would make the overall COL above average on a national level.
Oneonta NY would be another good choice, as it has 2 4 year colleges, is in the region and had plenty of farm land nearby. Perhaps Cortland NY and Hamilton NY could work as well.
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Old 02-21-2014, 12:56 PM
 
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Originally Posted by MrBlueSky_ View Post
Only if the only definition of "liberal" you know is from your delusional homeschooling parents, your preacher or Faux News.
Or you learned it from growing up in California
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Old 02-21-2014, 12:58 PM
 
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Also organic foods is not just a liberal thing. I love organic food and buy it when I can.
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Old 02-25-2014, 11:25 AM
 
Location: Vermont
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Vermont--just not the Appalachians.
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