Single mom moving to California soon

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Mjgraham

I was actually afraid of that myself. We are from a very small town but my son is gay and I would like to move to bigger place where it isn't so uncommon per se. He is still just a child and I want to be somewhere that isn't so judgmental.

What's the nearest larger city to where you currently live? Have you thought about starting there?

Most cities of any size have LGBT advocate organizations. Give the one in the nearest city a call to discuss your concerns. They should be able to discuss the LGBT community and safety issues for your son.

Work in concentric circles -- start close to home, then if that doesn't work, widen the search by 100/200 miles.

It's likely there are cities closer to where you are now that would work for your family that won't involve an expensive move to a high cost of living state like California. It's also much easier to research areas when you can drive over for weekend visits, instead of having to fly to a far away place.

Sometimes, staying closer to "home" has advantages.

Good luck!

[Mjgraham]

Thank you so much. I'm closer to Nashville I just know a couple of people from here have moved to ca because of that reason alone. I have contemplated moving to Nashville I'm just not sure if it would be much different but I will call the organization/s to check that out too. Thank you for your help.

[DKM]

Try Oregon, its cheaper and I knew gay people from the south who had moved there just for the cultural reasons. CA has cheap areas but they are Trump country if you know what I mean so its not going to be what you are looking for.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Mjgraham

Thank you so much. I'm closer to Nashville I just know a couple of people from here have moved to ca because of that reason alone. I have contemplated moving to Nashville I'm just not sure if it would be much different but I will call the organization/s to check that out too. Thank you for your help.

How about Asheville? Too isolated?

Portland, OR, isn't a bad idea, or maybe Salem or Eugene. I'm not sure how large a population base you need, as a collections agent. But also look at Sacramento, CA; state capital, lower rents, CA-level pay. Or do you do your work from home? Is it internet-based work?

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Mjgraham

Thank you so much. I'm closer to Nashville I just know a couple of people from here have moved to ca because of that reason alone. I have contemplated moving to Nashville I'm just not sure if it would be much different but I will call the organization/s to check that out too. Thank you for your help.

If you're in TN, you and your son might try getting in touch with this organization for LGBT teens/youths in Nashville: http://justusoasis.org/ It looks like they have a lot of great events and support programs for kids.

There's also a PFLAG chapter in Nashville, which might be helpful for you to connect with as a parent. Here's the link to the PFLAG Nashville website, which also has a full page of other LGBT organizations in Nashville: http://pflagnashville.org/resources-new/organizations/

Finally, this article on the LGBT community in Nashville might be helpful for you and your son to read. https://www.tennessean.com/story/opi...ity/102320306/


Good luck!

[Mjgraham]

Thank you so much I have looked them up and going to find out more about it. Thank you for the links !!

[CaliforniaGal]

I will tell you it is EXPENSIVE to live in Southern California. People have all sorts of dreams to live here but they do not realize just how expensive it is.

[CaliforniaGal]

MJ you mentioned you were looking for a more Liberal place to live because of your son. Can I just say I think you are misguided in your thinking - that you need to be in a Liberal town/City. I am a Conservative YET I have many Gay friends. I was offended actually because there seems to be this mindset that we do not like LGBTQ community and this is not true. Very sad. My friend actually is Gay and works with Gay teens here in Southern California. Please do not assume we do not like Gays/Lesbian. :-)

DKM what is Trump country? I wish I had not wandered onto this thread. Sad!

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by djnikki1

I am planning to move with my twins and two dogs to California. Its always been a dream of mine to live there. I am planning to move there after I graduate college in two years to make California our home, attend graduate school and start a career there.

The Graduate schools I'm looking at are USC, University of California - Berkeley, UCLA and San Diego State University. What are affordable and family friendly areas to live? I'm trying to gather as much information as possible so in two years all we have to do is move.

Thank you in advance!

Unless you’re “don draper from madmen” rich be prepared to live in poverty.

[Mjgraham]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGal

MJ you mentioned you were looking for a more Liberal place to live because of your son. Can I just say I think you are misguided in your thinking - that you need to be in a Liberal town/City. I am a Conservative YET I have many Gay friends. I was offended actually because there seems to be this mindset that we do not like LGBTQ community and this is not true. Very sad. My friend actually is Gay and works with Gay teens here in Southern California. Please do not assume we do not like Gays/Lesbian. :-)

DKM what is Trump country? I wish I had not wandered onto this thread. Sad!

I think you have mis read somewhere on my post I'm not sure but my whole post was about moving to ca bc of that reason alone. I wanted to move to southern ca to be in a more liberal environment vs the small and very country town I live in ppl seem to be very close minded at the school and town overall here. Sorry for the confusion. I was only asking what were the best places to live in ca basically.