Looking for sm. to md. liberal city in the South (Columbia: hotel, home)

[liberal chic]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

When you find this place let me know. Quite frankly Im not sure it even exists. I hope you find your place though.

haha

Thanks again everyone for all of your help and tips!

[Ceezer]

You might also take a look here at Sumter. I've seen population numbers ranging from 40k to 65k and even 80k (I think the upper end is including those of us around Shaw; the lower-end is probably Sumter proper). You'd probably hear arguments from both sides regarding it's political stature, and I'm not even sure how I would classify it. I'd say it's pretty well represented from both sides, but I'm unsure about it's voting history. If I had to make a declaration, I'd say the libs probably have the advantage here.

Sumter is small in feel, but there are some plans in the works. Besides, Florence is just 40 minutes away as is Columbia.

As far as water is concerned, Lake Murray would be about 50 minutes away but Santee-Cooper is fairly close. If you head down 15, you can be there in approximately 25-30 minutes.

It's not as 'artsy' as towns like Asheville, but they try. Last year (or maybe earlier this year) we took my daughter to a fashion show downtown that was done entirely in items that were disposed of (reuse/recycle). I was expecting the older, more conservative folks there to be sour-pussed about it because some of them were scantily clad and very sexual, but they were all smiles and everyone had a good time.

You'd only be 1.5 hours to Greenville, then another hour to Asheville. You'd also only be 1.5 hours from the beach, if you're into that.

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

[pacomarj]

You should look at Charleston. Anywhere in South Carolina is going to lean more Republican, but I find that Charleston has a nice mix. There is an abundance of water (obviously) and the health care profession is huge.

[roadpony]

I have just recently moved to Greenville, SC after living my entire life in NC. It's definitely got a strong Republican majority, but got one more Dem when I moved here. Rather than liberal or bohemian, I would call Greenville open-minded. There has been a hugely successful effort to recruit a wide range of international companies (think BMW, Michelin North America, Bosch, Fuji Film, etc.) to this area, so the community is a bit more cosmopolitan (or at least accepting of transplants) than you might imagine. The arts scene is good and getting better all the time. Terrific restaurants. Much better selection of nearby lakes than Asheville. Indeed, from reading local papers and magazines, it seems that much of the leisure activity in this region is based on lake and water sports.

From an employment standpoint, I think Greenville is much better choice than Asheville. It's more "real world" and not as dependent on tourism and service industries. Medical community seems to be strong and growing. Greenville Hospital System just announced a new round of hiring. And you can't find a much better mid-size liberal-arts university than Furman.

After visiting Asheville frequently throughout my 55+ years, I have to say that I like visiting Asheville, but much prefer to live in Greenville (and I'm a died-in-the-wool true blue Tarheel). Greenville really is the best of both worlds, because you're only an hour+ drive to visit Asheville.

[guestposter24]

Originally Posted by roadpony

I have just recently moved to Greenville, SC after living my entire life in NC. It's definitely got a strong Republican majority, but got one more Dem when I moved here. Rather than liberal or bohemian, I would call Greenville open-minded. There has been a hugely successful effort to recruit a wide range of international companies (think BMW, Michelin North America, Bosch, Fuji Film, etc.) to this area, so the community is a bit more cosmopolitan (or at least accepting of transplants) than you might imagine. The arts scene is good and getting better all the time. Terrific restaurants. Much better selection of nearby lakes than Asheville. Indeed, from reading local papers and magazines, it seems that much of the leisure activity in this region is based on lake and water sports.

From an employment standpoint, I think Greenville is much better choice than Asheville. It's more "real world" and not as dependent on tourism and service industries. Medical community seems to be strong and growing. Greenville Hospital System just announced a new round of hiring. And you can't find a much better mid-size liberal-arts university than Furman.

After visiting Asheville frequently throughout my 55+ years, I have to say that I like visiting Asheville, but much prefer to live in Greenville (and I'm a died-in-the-wool true blue Tarheel). Greenville really is the best of both worlds, because you're only an hour+ drive to visit Asheville.

No matter how big Greenville gets it will still be a bad place for liberals. Aside from the strong Republican majority in Greenville, your vote won't count towards the electoral college system.

[roadpony]

Originally Posted by guestposter24

No matter how big Greenville gets it will still be a bad place for liberals. Aside from the strong Republican majority in Greenville, your vote won't count towards the electoral college system.

Oh yes, I forgot about our resident close-minded high school student.

Whether my vote counts in the electoral college was not high on my priority list for making a decision to move. After all we do have a two-party (or more) system, and being part of the "loyal opposition" can be invigorating at times. Besides, one of the points I was trying to make is that Greenville, for the most part, is open-minded, guestposter24 notwithstanding. Although the OP titled this thread "looking for liberal city," subsequent comments showed that he has additional considerations in making his relocation decision. I was simply trying to address those.

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by elvislives

You should look into Aiken S.C www.aiken.net.. A very progressive city with good schools very low crime and mild winters. It looks like my town offers every single thing you are looking for. and we are only 2 hours to the moutains and 2 to the ocean.Plenty of nature for you and all kinds of little downtown cafe's for you to enjoy.

No no no! No more new additions! We have enough people in Aiken as it is.
There are very few sidewalks, only 3 places are open past 10, you're going to be bored silly if you don't like horses, our mall isnt really a mall..its more like a big hallway with a few stores in it (and more of those stores keep disappearing)
Lots of rednecks come here from surrounding areas....


Go to Asheville! The weather is lovely in the summer, and its one of the most liberal places in the South.

[waccamatt]

Since you posted this in the South Carolina forum I'll talk about our state. There are no large cities in South Carolina, but there are 3 medium-sized cities, Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. Of those 3, Columbia and Charleston are the more liberal, but keep in mind that we are talking about relatively liberal for the south, not as liberal as Vermont. Personally, I am very liberal and I will be honest and tell you that you will not find any "very liberal" cities in the south, though there are pockets in most areas where you could be very happy and find your niche like I have. You'll find that small towns in the south are very conservative except for some college towns like Athens, Chapel Hill and Charlottesville.

Back to Columbia and Charleston. Charleston is on the coast, of course, so you have Charleston Harbor and the Atlantic nearby. Columbia has Lake Murray about 15-20 minutes from downtown and also 3 rivers adjacent to downtown. As far as aesthetics, both cities have wonderful neighborhoods and there are also some areas that aren't as nice. If you'd like to take a look around Columbia I have a link to my website in my profile and there are a lot of neighborhood photos on there. The cities are close enough that you could come take a look at both on the same trip.

[guestposter24]

Originally Posted by roadpony

Oh yes, I forgot about our resident close-minded high school student.

Whether my vote counts in the electoral college was not high on my priority list for making a decision to move. After all we do have a two-party (or more) system, and being part of the "loyal opposition" can be invigorating at times. Besides, one of the points I was trying to make is that Greenville, for the most part, is open-minded, guestposter24 notwithstanding. Although the OP titled this thread "looking for liberal city," subsequent comments showed that he has additional considerations in making his relocation decision. I was simply trying to address those.

Haha well there's a saying that liberals are so open-minded that their brains fell out.

I'm not a republican either. I'm just stating the facts.

[elvislives]

Originally Posted by Colddiamond102

No no no! No more new additions! We have enough people in Aiken as it is.
There are very few sidewalks, only 3 places are open past 10, you're going to be bored silly if you don't like horses, our mall isnt really a mall..its more like a big hallway with a few stores in it (and more of those stores keep disappearing)
Lots of rednecks come here from surrounding areas....


Go to Asheville! The weather is lovely in the summer, and its one of the most liberal places in the South.

Really so the West side Bowery. Aiken brew pub., Malia's, Whiskey Junction, Up your alley,New Moon cafe, The oyster bar , Chili's, Aplebees; The Holly House, Not to mention the Playhouse The covocation center and the observetory. all close at 10 ???
Are you nuts ??? Then there is Augusta , Columbia all within half hour . What we really don't need is you because it is obvious you are not from here.