What Are Areas Are Gay Men Retiring To (San Diego, Redding: crime, home)

[OREGONRAIN]

I was wondering if any gay men in the san diego area, have decided to retire elsewhere do to the cost and if so what have you found in your research, as to places you feel you will be comfortable.

[OREGONRAIN]

I messed up the title, but you get what I mean thanks

[Phillip Piper]

I don't think that being gay or straight has much to do with your selection of places to retire. Well, of course you don't want to live in a neighborhood where you are disliked or disrespected. But remember living in the heart of the Castro won't help if your next door neighbor is a bigot. OK..OK...I realize that's unlikely, but you know what I mean. There are no guarantees that we won't encounter prejudiced freaks no matter where we live.

Instead of the gay thing, I think it's more relevant for you to consider your proclivities (urban? rural?), interests (computers? gardening?) and limitations (finances, require medical care etc.)

My partner of 30 years and I are looking for a place to relocate on retirement. Have you considered smaller places in northern California, eg. Redding. How about Washington, eg. Kelso?

[OREGONRAIN]

Thanks, I live in the Portland area, in all honesty, I would not recommend it or the northwest, especially if you are not from here. Its not just the damp wet weather for most of the year, for a small metro area, the crime and drugs here is a disgrace. I am actually from the east coast and am finding I should head back that way for retirement, its nice to have some level of family and I have none out here to begin with. Yes there are many things to consider on where we choose to retire, not just the gay part, and I look at a number of considerations, but I know the gay part has to be considered also. Thanks.

[midnightbirdgirl]

Oregonian, there are many so called gay areas in San Diego. San Diego, is very gay friendly.
MBG

[tomwins]

You could live in most any place in San Diego and be welcomed. There are places you may not want to live for safety reasons but that has nothing to do with being gay. Fewer gay people live in the East County (Poway, Hemet, Santee, Ramona, Lakeside, ...) but I know several gay folk who live there. One couple I met a few weeks ago said they moved to East County to have a home with room for their horses; they love it and have found people very welcoming. He told a story of making good friends with some of the Chaldean who have been settled there from Iraq. Just like previous posters have said, other factors are much stronger drivers about where you live than a person being gay.
Pesonally, my husband and I (married in the 5 month window when it was legal) live in Clairemont and are the only gay couple we know of on the street. But we see HRC and rainbow stickers on our neighbors kid's cars. There were also more No on 8 than Yes on 8 yard signs in our neighborhood (a good sign).

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by OREGONRAIN

Thanks, I live in the Portland area, in all honesty, I would not recommend it or the northwest, especially if you are not from here. Its not just the damp wet weather for most of the year, for a small metro area, the crime and drugs here is a disgrace. I am actually from the east coast and am finding I should head back that way for retirement, its nice to have some level of family and I have none out here to begin with. Yes there are many things to consider on where we choose to retire, not just the gay part, and I look at a number of considerations, but I know the gay part has to be considered also. Thanks.

I am a little surpised you say that: our foster daughter who is gay loves living in the Portland area. I don't think she would ever leave.

Nita

[trailtramp]

We left SD over a year ago and moved to New Mexico outside of Abq and close to Santa Fe. Along with selling our home and buying so much more here, we have made more family friendly people than in 9 years in SD.

Everyone told us we were crazy....well to each his own but its the best thing we ever did.

[cindy175]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

We left SD over a year ago and moved to New Mexico outside of Abq and close to Santa Fe. Along with selling our home and buying so much more here, we have made more family friendly people than in 9 years in SD.

Everyone told us we were crazy....well to each his own but its the best thing we ever did.

Trailtramp - Glad to hear that you're happy with your choice. We're in New Jersey now, trying to choose between ABQ area and San Diego. Would be eager to hear about your comparison between the 2 places. Have been to SD many times and just back from first trip to ABQ.

Cindy175