Living in Dallas, non-Christian/ religious (San Antonio, Galveston: transplants, stores, move)

[NovCruisin]

We are prius driving, cat owning, socialist and atheist who live in Kaufman County...so people with similar mindset are out there, just a minority (for now....muahahahaha <--- evil laugh )

[texanlady03]

You'll fit in great! Dallas (especially the Uptown area) is very diverse and accepting of all different walks of life. Hanging around there you'll find people with similar beliefs as you, and others who will accept you just as easily!

[rambo999]

Why Dallas? Have you considered West Coast, like SF, LA, etc. You can be a better fit there..

[Phil75230]

Basic rule of thumb: ANY central city is going to be more liberal than the surrounding suburbs. The latter in turn are often somewhat more liberal than the surrounding countryside. This trend shows up even in medium-small metros in the most conservative areas. This trend seems especially true for white middle and upper middle class dominated sections.

The closer to downtown you are, the more open it's going to get. Figure out where you'll find a pagan worship center, a Unitarian Universalist Church, a Peace and Justice center, a food co-op, and similar such things within 10 blocks of each other. That should give you a good idea where the most accommodating area is.

As for Dallas itself, I agree about the middle class areas of the city being more socially liberal than suburban areas of similar socio-economic status. Inside 635, a Secular Humanist is sure to find a place. In the suburbs, it's likely to get a little dicey, though I would bet even Richardson and maybe parts of Plano are gonna be a little bit more open than, say, Frisco and Allen.

[smarino]

I can't imagine that move is going to work for you. We lived in San Antonio and Galveston, places we felt were much more liberal (for Texas) than Dallas, and it was beyond annoying dealing w/ the rigid mindsets in both places. People were always being arrested in Galveston because they cussed in a supermarket or something, then the charges would be dropped after they were arrested because, hey, that is constitutionally protected free speech. But tell that to a Texan! And no, I am not making this up. That sets the tone for what you are going to encounter.

What you're seeking is rapidly disappearing in this country, but we DID discover St. Pete, Florida recently, and will be moving there next month. The vibe is friendly and liberal, and it was just so wonderful being around people that shared our outlook. I can't even tell you how nice it was to encounter this when I recently went there to ck the place out. It actually brought tears to my eyes, because we have been living in areas that have just not supported our lives, and that is harmful to one's health both mentally and spiritually. I had given up hope of finding something like this on our budget, but I never gave up looking.

[MckinneyOwnr]

Originally Posted by smarino

People were always being arrested in Galveston because they cussed in a supermarket or something, then the charges would be dropped after they were arrested because, hey, that is constitutionally protected free speech. But tell that to a Texan! And no, I am not making this up.

Unless you have Tourette's, are just a complete idiot, or you're causing a scene, there's no reason to be cussing in a grocery store.

Your post is ridiculous. Living in the Uptown/Oak Lawn or Deep Ellum area of Dallas is about as liberal and progressive as it gets. Pretty much everyone manages to do their grocery shopping without being handcuffed.

[Cheesesteak Cravings]

I saw 2 dudes holding hands in a very gay neighborhood in downtown Dallas if that's what you're asking.

[SCZSA]

I have lived in Texas all my life. Grew up in deep South Texas. Lived many years in beautiful San Antonio and moved 2 1/2 years ago to Dallas. I am a true blue liberal Democrat and have watched as the politics in this state turned deeper and deeper red every year. All that said I really thought I would encounter nothing but TP conservatives here in the heart of Dallas/Preston Hollow but nothing is further from the truth. People have been very friendly and welcoming. We have met folks from all points in the political spectrum. We thought we would be the only gay couple in the neighborhood, but found that there were several others and we have become friends with many neghbors - gay, straight, liberal and moderate alike. As for the really right wing conservative types - I keep my distance and mind my manners because that's how I was brought up. Come to Texas - Please! We need your vote!!

[Saintmarks]

Since everyone has to tout their liberalness to speak up here, will offer a counter point and declare that I am a very conservative white male that attends church regularly.

The basic assumption that someone of a different mindset would be ill at ease in the suburbs is preposterous. Live in McKinney and work in Frisco and both areas have plenty of people of all stripes: religious and non, right and left, conservative, moderate, liberal. We all get along very well at my workplace where I am pretty much in the minority as far as the description above goes.

Why are conservatives in the suburbs more accepting of others than liberals in town? Before you denounce this thought, read through the thread and see if this conclusion is not an unreasonable one to make. Can a liberal not tolerate a conservative? All the conservatives I know live with and work with and not only tolerate but enjoy those to the left of us.

Wow.

[RemyLebeau]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Since everyone has to tout their liberalness to speak up here, will offer a counter point and declare that I am a very conservative white male that attends church regularly.

The basic assumption that someone of a different mindset would be ill at ease in the suburbs is preposterous. Live in McKinney and work in Frisco and both areas have plenty of people of all stripes: religious and non, right and left, conservative, moderate, liberal. We all get along very well at my workplace where I am pretty much in the minority as far as the description above goes.

Why are conservatives in the suburbs more accepting of others than liberals in town? Before you denounce this thought, read through the thread and see if this conclusion is not an unreasonable one to make. Can a liberal not tolerate a conservative? All the conservatives I know live with and work with and not only tolerate but enjoy those to the left of us.

Wow.

I guess you missed these posts in this thread while talking about tolerance:

#3 Aceraceae
Liberal quota has been filled.

#19 BigDGeek
Nope, you won't.

#23 rambo999
Why Dallas? Have you considered West Coast, like SF, LA, etc. You can be a better fit there..

To the OP, if someone asks what church you attend, which is an odd question, just ask them why or tell them you don't have one. If it seems to upset them for whatever reason, just throw out the name of one of the many megachurches in the area. Most people really don't care. They attend church to be seen, gossip or as part of a routine.

Same with politics. Those that freely claim to be Republican or Democrat like its a badge of honor usually can't tell you why. In fact, if you remove the "R" and "D" in front candidates name on a ballot and a lot of people would be lost. When politics comes up and someone wants to argue a side instead of a person/issue, I tell people only an idiot votes party line. There are (sadly few) good candidates on each side and (sadly many) crooks on each side. Usually politics only comes up when someone wants to make a passing statement. Very few people are interested in actually having a discussion.

Good thing about both those types of people, they aren't someone you would want to hang out with anyway so take it as a gift if/when you run across one. If someone is going to judge you, be polite and move on.