[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by AliGilbert

Thank you to everyone here!!!

I appreciate your input. Progressive and conservative are more than blue and red to me. I do think democratic areas tend to be more progressive so this has been great info, but it's more than that. We are looking for a forward thinking, tolerant and modern culture. I find these areas seem to cluster near universities. I will take the advice of Bucfan and check out the Tampa area forum. Again, you have all been a great help.

I'm from Philly/NJ. I would say that Florida is not an intentionally "forward thinking modern culture" like you will find in say, Calif, Wash, Oregon, Conn. because it just doesn't "care" as much. And it really doesn't "care as much" about being the opposite of progressive either!

If that makes sense. In those states you find initiatives all the time to "progress" things. One example may be starting a progressive focused curriculum in schools before other states. Or say, making it a priority to change laws to accommodate undocumented people more easily.

Florida is laid back - people are not as vocal/talkative about such things in my experience. That goes both ways you won't find as many vocally "socially progressive" people OR "culturally negative" people especially in the areas you're looking at. Remember people are moving here all the time from elsewhere and with them comes their original values.

You will definitely find people you like and can raise your child with in your social circle without always looking over your shoulder for negative influences on him/her. Maybe more like a "micro-culture"

Good luck! (p.s. as a dog walker I have heard some of my most culturally progressive clients be the most homophobic. They might vote Dem - if they vote at all - then have plenty of rude comments and "jokes" (snark) to make about the people that live right in their own buildings. People are not always what they appear!)

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by runswithscissors

I'm from Philly/NJ. I would say that Florida is not an intentionally "forward thinking modern culture" like you will find in say, Calif, Wash, Oregon, Conn. because it just doesn't "care" as much. And it really doesn't "care as much" about being the opposite of progressive either!

If that makes sense. In those states you find initiatives all the time to "progress" things. One example may be starting a progressive focused curriculum in schools before other states. Or say, making it a priority to change laws to accommodate undocumented people more easily.

Florida is laid back - people are not as vocal/talkative about such things in my experience. That goes both ways you won't find as many vocally "socially progressive" people OR "culturally negative" people especially in the areas you're looking at. Remember people are moving here all the time from elsewhere and with them comes their original values.

You will definitely find people you like and can raise your child with in your social circle without always looking over your shoulder for negative influences on him/her. Maybe more like a "micro-culture"

Good luck! (p.s. as a dog walker I have heard some of my most culturally progressive clients be the most homophobic. They might vote Dem - if they vote at all - then have plenty of rude comments and "jokes" (snark) to make about the people that live right in their own buildings. People are not always what they appear!)

Great post ^^^.

[blueherons]

I don't know if Coral Gables is still on your list or not but know you probably need fluent Spanish to live comfortably there. It is a very affluent Spanish part of Miami and $2500 is kind of an entry level rental there.

Good luck!

[craigtnelson]

Sarasota likes to pretend it's a progressive, "funky" little town but make no mistake... it is NOT. It is a very conservative, very old, very small spot on the map. I second the Ft. Lauderdale recommendation.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Sarasota likes to pretend it's a progressive, "funky" little town but make no mistake... it is NOT. It is a very conservative, very old, very small spot on the map. I second the Ft. Lauderdale recommendation.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Sarasota likes to pretend it's a progressive, "funky" little town but make no mistake... it is NOT. It is a very conservative, very old, very small spot on the map. I second the Ft. Lauderdale recommendation.

Don't leave out very rich and very white.

I love Sarasota and think it is the greatest city in Florida but it is definitely a Republican town with a lot of art and amenities.

[craigtnelson]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Don't be mad because I'm right. I know you can't go 3 minutes without mentioning Sarasota but it's really not all that. It's very small, very overpriced, and squarely in the red. A few artsy shops and a drum circle on the beach don't magically transform it into a "funky" progressive town. Sorry.

[Noleto84]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

Don't be mad because I'm right. I know you can't go 3 minutes without mentioning Sarasota but it's really not all that. It's very small, very overpriced, and squarely in the red. A few artsy shops and a drum circle on the beach don't magically transform it into a "funky" progressive town. Sorry.

100% True !!!!!

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by AliGilbert

Thank you to everyone here!!!

I appreciate your input. Progressive and conservative are more than blue and red to me. I do think democratic areas tend to be more progressive so this has been great info, but it's more than that. We are looking for a forward thinking, tolerant and modern culture. I find these areas seem to cluster near universities. I will take the advice of Bucfan and check out the Tampa area forum. Again, you have all been a great help.

People on the Tampa/St. Pete forum will only tell you how un-modern and forward thinking the city is, how it doesn't have mass transit and how the residents always vote down proposals to "make things better."

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by craigtnelson

and squarely in the red.

Sounds like a selling point to me...