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Old 05-29-2016, 12:34 PM
 
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I currently live in Baltimore, but I'm about to retire and I really want on old house and at least an acre for a garden and privacy and dogs and--well--nature. But I'm gay, originally Australian, caucasian but with an African-American partner, polically left, and atheist--maybe Buddhist. (Do I sound like an urban cliche?) I value privacy, so I'm not looking to engage hugely with the neighbors, but I'm looking for a rural area where I won't be too out of place or stigmatized. I also want to be not too far from amenties like gyms etc, and my sense is that the corridor around I-83 heading north from Baltimore as far as southern PA is probably my safest bet. Does anyone have suggestions for any areas that are a bit "alternative" in rural Maryland or rural PA--I guess (broadly) between DC and Philadelphia? (Good climate zone would be a definite plus.) Many thanks.
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Old 05-29-2016, 12:41 PM
 
Location: Sneads Ferry, NC
13,368 posts, read 27,022,494 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bdoo View Post
Does anyone have suggestions for any areas that are a bit "alternative" in rural Maryland or rural PA--I guess (broadly) between DC and Philadelphia? (Good climate zone would be a definite plus.) Many thanks.
Look anywhere there are many antique dealers. I find there is a large concentration of gays among antique dealers. Mount Airy might be one place to look. Bucks County Pennsylvania is another. Havre De Grace might be another, but I think the acre of land will be expensive.
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Old 05-29-2016, 05:38 PM
 
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I think your best bets would be the western and southwestern suburbs and exurbs of Philadelphia, more specifically from Bala Cynwyd following I-76, I-276, and Route 30 out to Route 202, and from City Avenue out to Chadds Ford or even Kennett Square. Also, Bucks County (as was previously suggested) particularly near the village of New Hope, and across the river to Lambertville, NJ and across to the Princeton/Lawrenceville area.

Property in all of those areas will not be cheap, and the property taxes will be @#$% outrageous. However, you won't have any problem finding a suitable gym or park to exercise.

The I-83 corridor north of Baltimore is one of the last places on earth I would ever steer a gay African American male.
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Old 05-30-2016, 12:14 PM
 
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Many thanks. So what I'm hearing is that the area around Baltimore, and Maryland in general, is a no-go. (People have warned me that Havre de Grace is near Aberdeen, and they've said I absolutely don't want to be there.) So I guess I better start getting to know Philly. . . . Sigh. It would be so nice just to go where you liked the country and not have to worry about whether you'll "fit in." But I guess that's fairly universal.
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Old 05-30-2016, 12:33 PM
 
Location: Upper Marlboro
789 posts, read 1,095,339 times
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Originally Posted by bdoo View Post
People have warned me that Havre de Grace is near Aberdeen, and they've said I absolutely don't want to be there.
I wouldn't say that at all... there just aren't many gay folks around there. I'd avoid Cecil County, MD but I think you'd be fine really anywhere between Philly and Baltimore along I-95 or Rt. 1 corridors. It's somewhat conservative but certainly not anti-gay at all.
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Old 05-30-2016, 07:13 PM
 
926 posts, read 1,255,531 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bdoo View Post
I currently live in Baltimore, but I'm about to retire and I really want on old house and at least an acre for a garden and privacy and dogs and--well--nature. But I'm gay, originally Australian, caucasian but with an African-American partner, polically left, and atheist--maybe Buddhist. (Do I sound like an urban cliche?) I value privacy, so I'm not looking to engage hugely with the neighbors, but I'm looking for a rural area where I won't be too out of place or stigmatized. I also want to be not too far from amenties like gyms etc, and my sense is that the corridor around I-83 heading north from Baltimore as far as southern PA is probably my safest bet. Does anyone have suggestions for any areas that are a bit "alternative" in rural Maryland or rural PA--I guess (broadly) between DC and Philadelphia? (Good climate zone would be a definite plus.) Many thanks.
Don't rule out Havre de Grace. Unfortunately, because of development not as quaint as it used to be but still has a few areas where privacy/acreage can be found. Antique old town feel near the water. Close to the Delaware beaches and the south/eastern part of Pennsylvania; which is rich with beautiful scenery, botanical gardens, hiking and wineries. An hour or so to Center City Philadelphia and downtown Baltimore and a couple of hours from DC.

As far as it being close to Aberdeen. Aberdeen is just...meh.

Anyway, it's worth checking out.
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Old 05-31-2016, 03:01 PM
 
Location: University City, Philadelphia
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I can tell you that some of the loveliest suburban areas just outside Philadelphia towards Wilmington Delaware - particularly West Chester, Media, Swarthmore are very LGBT friend ... but these areas can be very pricey. Swarthmore has probably the most gay-friendly college in the entire US! The towns themselves are charming with lots of cafes, art galleries, upscale restaurants, etc. So, if you're on a strict budget, forget it.

Possibly the "gayest" area is centered around Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. So gay in fact it competes as a resort with Provincetown and Key West. We jokingly call it "Rehomo Beach."
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Old 06-02-2016, 07:40 AM
 
Location: Howard County, Maryland
16,553 posts, read 10,611,270 times
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Originally Posted by Clark Park View Post
I can tell you that some of the loveliest suburban areas just outside Philadelphia towards Wilmington Delaware - particularly West Chester, Media, Swarthmore are very LGBT friend ... but these areas can be very pricey. Swarthmore has probably the most gay-friendly college in the entire US! The towns themselves are charming with lots of cafes, art galleries, upscale restaurants, etc. So, if you're on a strict budget, forget it.

Possibly the "gayest" area is centered around Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. So gay in fact it competes as a resort with Provincetown and Key West. We jokingly call it "Rehomo Beach."
The OP is looking for a house with at least an acre of land. I highly doubt he'll find that in West Chester, Media, or Swarthmore. Maybe Kennett Square or Chadds Ford might be worth a look?
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Old 06-03-2016, 10:00 AM
 
Location: University City, Philadelphia
22,632 posts, read 14,936,361 times
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Originally Posted by bus man View Post
The OP is looking for a house with at least an acre of land. I highly doubt he'll find that in West Chester, Media, or Swarthmore. Maybe Kennett Square or Chadds Ford might be worth a look?
Yes, Kennett Square and Chadds Ford might be worth a look. Mind you, the OP did not mention money, a budget, nor a price ... so as far as I know he might be loaded and could well afford a breathtaking historic home on a few acres of land even in West Chester, Media and Swarthmore!
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Old 06-03-2016, 10:41 AM
 
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Many thanks, folks. So I've been looking in Redfin for houses earlier than 1940, at least 1 acre, and below $500k, and there seem to be a few pretty good values in areas south of West Chester toward "north Wilmington"--then it gets pricey around West Chester, and then it gets cheaper again as you head out toward Reading. (Is Reading too far away?) Mind you, I've seen some great listings in West Virginia, e.g. on the Potomac--some good value, but some quite expensive. Holiday homes from DC, mixed in with locals, maybe? But I guess I don't want to go there. . . . ?
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