Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We’re an unmarried gay couple in our late 20s/early 30s, I’m cis man and he’s a trans man. I personally have been in Austin since my freshman year of college and he’s been here almost as long, we made a home and a life here and weren’t planning on leaving but we don’t think that Texas, even Austin, offers long term security and safety for us.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Somewhere with robust protections for LGBT rights and a large and visible gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community
Good live music scene (esp jazz) and other cultural venues like orchestras, museums etc
At least 500k population
Urban w/at least somewhat decent walkability, it doesn’t have to Manhattan but it would be nice not have to hop in the car to do absolutely any and everything
We both grew up in very cold parts of the country and have lived in the South for years so we don’t have weather preferences per se but all else equal we’ll take bad winters over oppressive heat, and can’t handle extreme desert climates like Phoenix
We aren’t looking to spend any more than $500,000 and would like at least two bedrooms, preferably 3, in a condo or townhouse in a decent area
Although we know that there’s nowhere like Austin, it’d be nice to find somewhere with adjacent vibes, somewhere very weird, LGBT oriented, alternative, ya know!
Any West Coast city bigger than 500K from San Diego to Seattle will likely meet your requirements. You'll have to look harder for housing, but likely you can find something to meet your budget in many of these cities or their suburbs. Have you visited anywhere in recent years that you liked or disliked?
I grew up in the Portland area, so am more aware of its environs. I did a quick realtor.com search on townhouses and condos, 2BR+ with a price limit of $500K. It came back with 308 units for sale. Most of these will have some walk-ability, and I'd guess all will be within a few blocks at the most from a Tri-Met bus or train stop.
Even NYC had over 1,800 listing in your price range. The first one I clicked on was a time-share, so who knows how many are fulltime ownership, but NYC would likely be close to your ideal based on your criteria. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...rice-na-500000
I would target any solid blue state. The West Coast, the Northeast, and a few states in the middle (Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois). Here’s a website that tracks laws and policies regarding LGBTQ+ equality: https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps
I would 2nd the suggestion for Portland. The live music scene is excellent, there’s several walkable areas, and some of the best summer weather in the country. You can definitely find places that will fit your budget. Also, amazing food if you care about that.
The housing part is hard, but I think the same thing you are going through is going to effect all blue cities in red states which sucks. Missouri is the same as Texas and the ability to retain local differences seems to be something the state is trying to end.
Others have said the west coast cities, also east coast. What is the COL in Providence? Pittsburgh?
Minneapolis could work, Denver (although the COL is higher), Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison (WI is more purple but I think has a democratic governor and not pushing for the things TX, MO, FL, etc. are). If you can handle cold, I think Madison is really cool.
You can find 2BR condos in the Twin Cities/suburbs for 500K. Plenty of pride stuff around. St. Paul/Minneapolis will be more transit friendly/walkable maybe immediate burbs like Richfield and St. Anthony.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
