SCARED! Need conservative neighborhood for 3 daughters!

[clongirl]

Wow, I didn't know that ASU was a pro Satan university! I actually went to liberal/Satan university in San Fran but we didn't have a cool flag like that one!

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by Don Vito

Well dont be amazed. This is how san fransiscans love to get into arguements. When they finally see a conservative, they are like vampires at the sight of fresh virgin teen blood. Any where in the east bay (inland or coastal) is much more tolerant of conservatives. People make diversity work this way, hell there is a asian church right down the block from me and a nice catholic church a mile or so down the street. They run food drives and homeless shelters and drug counciling programs. Check out the east bay and see the wonderful christian communities it offers.

Gee, and we have about 10 churches within a few miles of my home in San Francisco... you're the opposite of what you claim we are, painting an inaccurate and pessimistic picture of the city. I know LOTS of Christians here, including one who's a hardcore born-again "evangelical," and they have never experienced harassment from the evil liberal Atheists.

Btw, there are also plenty of liberal Christians, conservative Atheists, Libertarian Jews, and so forth... in a metro area of millions, you'll find every combination of religions & views here. But if one's attitude is not just conservative/Christian (or liberal/Atheist, etc.) but judgmental and intolerant, I'm quite proud that we're obnoxious to people like that.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by Gretchen_SDCA

Hi:

I have been reading this thread with interest. I think some of the other posters put it very succinctly - you do NOT have to endorse or agree with other people's beliefs or practice, but you HAVE to be tolerant of it. To be tolerant is not the same as endorsement or agreement - it essentially means allowing other people to live their lives.

You mentioned that you are not the type to bash a particular group, and I believe you to be truthful. However, I noticed you said something to the effect of that there are plenty of gay couples in your area, but they don't show their affection. Could you tolerate this in San Francisco? By that I am asking, not whether you agree with it or think it is right, but could you essentially ignore it and go your own way? Could you accept your children have atheist or gay friends? These are the crucial questions. If you can, you should have no problem in San Francisco.

Also, you mentioned that you don't think a conservative can express his or her views in San Francisco. I don't think that is true. Anyone can express and opinion - of course, you have to be open to criticism. There will always be bashers on every side of the spectrum (liberal and conservative), but face it, they are probably just angry and intolerant themselves. But you have to be able to take calm, reasoned criticism, think about it, and then either accept or reject the reasoning.

I'd be interested in hearing your responses to these questions. Ultimately, these responses should make your decision easier.

Excellent post, and I think the 2nd paragraph sums things up particularly well... if you want to see the true meaning of intolerance, try being a gay interracial Jewish couple in rural Alabama! San Franciscans do have strong opinions, and are not afraid to share them, but it's not like you'd be chased out of town for your beliefs. Just mind your own business, concentrate on raising your own families with your own values, and all should go just fine.

[prairie guy]

Original poster:
"All of that stuff happens where we live now."

Okay, then you'll be fine in the SF Bay area, it's really no different than anyplace else... Perhaps some of these posts and general media exagerate prevailing "conservativeness" outside California and as well as exagerate the "liberalness" of Bay area living. In truth, people across the country exercise common decency, which means they don't get upset about, are indifferent toward, or tolerate and even condone matters you might characterize as "that stuff."

More to your point, I think the Gretchen SCDA post is most helpful to you, not only about moving to SF Bay, but no matter where you live or who you might encounter.

I have to disagree with another poster about the "conservativeness" of Dublin, Pleasanton, 680 corridor, etc. Left-leaning people do not all agree to residentially segregate themselves and many of them enjoy nice suburban living, too. You'd probably have to head to the far exurbs (ie Tracy) to be in somewhat the type of community the poster is suggesting, IMO.

[joebarb]

So I've read this entire thread and would like to add a little something. I am the mother of a 17 year old in the North Bay. She was raised in the central valley as a Southern Baptist. We moved here when she was 14 years old. She never felt like she fit in until we moved to this area. One of things we liked here was that no matter who you are, you will definitely find someone that feels the same because the area has such a diverse population. That being said, you need to ask yourself one question...will it bother you when you meet her new best friend...who is 16 and a lesbian...what about that cute boy at school who thinks she's pretty...who is budhist...what about that friend she wants to invite to dinner...who's mother is in rehab... and what about when you pick her up from school and she's talking to the "emo" kid who has dyed black hair, black fingernails, and black make-up. Believe me, these things will happen and I'm speaking from personal experience. Being married to a conservative christian before I moved here...it was quite a shock and I didn't know how to deal with it at first. But I had to overcome that because the best friend that is a lesbian...is just that, her best friend and has been through some pretty difficult stuff with her and never let her down. (can't say that about her conservative friends before) And that boy that is a budhist...well, boys come and go in high school, but he is a great kid, and at times has taught me a few things from a different perspective. Oh, and the emo kid that her father still refuses to acknowledge, is one of the coolest people and is going to be a great adult. So you have to ask yourself if you can overlook things and get to know the person without labeling them.
And if a pervert had gone after my daughter I might not be so tolerant, but niether would I assume anything about his spirtual beliefs or anything else. People are people, and diversity is beautiful.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by joebarb

So I've read this entire thread and would like to add a little something. I am the mother of a 17 year old in the North Bay. She was raised in the central valley as a Southern Baptist. We moved here when she was 14 years old. She never felt like she fit in until we moved to this area. One of things we liked here was that no matter who you are, you will definitely find someone that feels the same because the area has such a diverse population. That being said, you need to ask yourself one question...will it bother you when you meet her new best friend...who is 16 and a lesbian...what about that cute boy at school who thinks she's pretty...who is budhist...what about that friend she wants to invite to dinner...who's mother is in rehab... and what about when you pick her up from school and she's talking to the "emo" kid who has dyed black hair, black fingernails, and black make-up. Believe me, these things will happen and I'm speaking from personal experience. Being married to a conservative christian before I moved here...it was quite a shock and I didn't know how to deal with it at first. But I had to overcome that because the best friend that is a lesbian...is just that, her best friend and has been through some pretty difficult stuff with her and never let her down. (can't say that about her conservative friends before) And that boy that is a budhist...well, boys come and go in high school, but he is a great kid, and at times has taught me a few things from a different perspective. Oh, and the emo kid that her father still refuses to acknowledge, is one of the coolest people and is going to be a great adult. So you have to ask yourself if you can overlook things and get to know the person without labeling them.
And if a pervert had gone after my daughter I might not be so tolerant, but niether would I assume anything about his spirtual beliefs or anything else. People are people, and diversity is beautiful.

Well put!

To the OP -- have you been here before? You ought to take a nice long trip out here and see for yourself. I know, being from Pittsburgh PA (and a tiny rather rural suburb of Pittsburgh at that!) the thought of coming here can be very overwhelming. The whole .... bigness of the area is scary. But I've found that a lot of people find a place to settle in and they settle. I live in the East Bay, and I rarely go over to the Peninsula. I see no need to do so.

When I worked at Bay View Federal Savings and Loan, they were headquartered there and that's where we did a lot of training (they really believed in training!) and so I got familiar with going over there, and I discovered that people over the Peninsula felt the same way! They had no need to come over to the East Bay.

And as for Christian households you will find there are lots of churches, and lots of non-denominational ones. (Another thing we didn't have lots of in Pennsylvania!)

And at the same time, there are lots of other religious practices, too. I seem to attract earth religious people. My old herbalist was a pagan, and my massage therapist is a pagan/wiccan goddess worshipper who messes with my chakras all the time , even thought I tell her they are fine!

Good luck!

[City Boy]

This needs to be locked. This is obviously a joke. Probably a liberal making fun of a conservative due to the influx of conservatives asking questions on here.

[moovin]

This Is A Bogus Op Meant To Provide Entertainment To A Lonely, Depressed Individual. Stop Posting Replies To This Thread.

[Lillietta]

Originally Posted by moovin

This Is A Bogus Op Meant To Provide Entertainment To A Lonely, Depressed Individual. Stop Posting Replies To This Thread.

What's your source? Just kidding.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by City Boy

This needs to be locked. This is obviously a joke. Probably a liberal making fun of a conservative due to the influx of conservatives asking questions on here.

Not sure I agree with it being a joke, but I agree this thread has been played out... locking it now, and good luck to the OP.