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I'm a GOP'er. Had Democrat friends over. We talked politics politely and intelligently and respected each others opinions. I have a particular minority customer that I consider a friend. What is disgusting is un-intelligent, narrow-minded people, posting inane, inflammatory drivel. Just let me know if you need a translation "Bird".
Guys...if you want to have this argument, can you please find somewhere else to do it?
Anyway....a number of the cities that have been mentioned, I've considered but have decided against for various reasons. Austin, for example, sounds wonderful if only it weren't in Texas. Sorry, there are just some prejudices that I have a hard time letting go of....
There are a few cities mentioned that I do find intriguing though I've never been to any of them. In particular, Louisville, Lexington, Knoxville, Nashville and Wilmington. But are those really politically liberal cities? I had read elsewhere that Wilmington is pretty conservative. The others, I have no idea. Thoughts?
I haven't actually lived in the Midwest in a while but I spent most of my first 27 years in NE Ohio and I think I was "imprinted" with Midwestern values. For example, I actually like to smile at people who pass me on the street. But I can't move back to the Midwest...I just can't handle the winters....even the winters in DC are too much for me.
So I'm looking for a city with a midwest mindset (friendly, welcoming, down-to-earth) without the midwest winters. I'm not a big fan of hot summers either but I can handle hot better than cold.
A few other things I'm interested in:
*I want a mid-sized city. Say a metro area of 250,000 to 1 million. Roughly.
*I prefer a place where people are politically liberal but moderate in their own behavior (I lived in San Fran for a couple of years and that was a bit too much for my midwest upbringing)
*I like places with an active downtown area.
*If there are rivers, lakes, or an ocean nearby, all the better!
Any thoughts? Thanks!
If you are looking at a place that has milder winters than the Wash DC area: stay with Climate Zone 8 or higher:
SE Virginia is the start of that zone along the eastern seaboard
All of the West Coast along with most of Arizona and southern Nevada (Las Vegas) qualify as well. It gets hot here but 105F @ 20% humidity is a lot more tolerable than 95F @ 70% humidity
Knoxville has plenty of liberal people but we* aren't the majority. Is it that you want to find like minded people to bond with or are you bothered by the prospect of rubbing shoulders with conservatives?
* well actually I'm more of a moderate who hangs out with a liberal crowd.
Maybe Boulder? I know it's still kind of "midwest" but it's a very liberal place, people are nice, it has a 3 million metro (Denver), and winters aren't that bad really.
Maybe Boulder? I know it's still kind of "midwest" but it's a very liberal place, people are nice, it has a 3 million metro (Denver), and winters aren't that bad really.
Note the OP mentioned that (Wash) DC winters are too much, that area is Climate Zone 7 for all practical purposes hence my stating he/she needs to look at Zone 8 or higher.
I am a Wash DC native so I am quite familiar with its capricious winters.
Knoxville has plenty of liberal people but we* aren't the majority. Is it that you want to find like minded people to bond with or are you bothered by the prospect of rubbing shoulders with conservatives?
This is how Louisville, Lexington, and Nashville seem to me as well. At their core, they are all fairly conservative towns; but there are alot of liberals as well. They are all a nice balance with friendly people to boot. Just don't get the Lexington folks going on UK basketball.
I think if you are hoping for milder winters; NAshville would be a safer bet than Louisville. Louisville gets its share of snow and cold. While Nashville does too, I have been down there in January when the high temps were in the 60's. I have been down there in February for a snow flurry. I was at the Hard Rock Cafe downtown, and people were concerned about how they would get home over a snow flurry. I was amused.
Times have changed. Nobody in Ashtabula will smile at you anymore, either.
People who used to love Austin TX are starting to look for someplace else to go.
Almost all the towns mentioned so far are below your 250.000 threshold.
I strongly disagree that Oklahoma is the Midwest. It has some Midwestern elements to it, but the people there are undoubtedly Southerners and Southwesterners. There is very of little of anything about Oklahoma that is truly Midwestern. Oklahoma has the most in common with Texas of any state.
Guys...if you want to have this argument, can you please find somewhere else to do it?
Sorry, I know post was not on topic, but I can't let such a prejudiced statement go "free & clear"
Here is comment on OP question. Austin TX. comes to mind. College town with plenty of liberal thought but I find the suburbs and older working folk to be more moderate and balance it out. Nice climate, hot in summer but not seemingly as humid as Dallas or especially Houston. Nice nightlife scene especially for live music, good place for outdoor recreation like running, cycling and canoeing. Many State Parks nearby as well as Hill Country. Corpus Christi is close enough for weekend trips to the Gulf. All personal observations from spending a week there to see if it might be a relocation candidate to get out of the cold Illinois winters.
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Sorry, there are just some prejudices that I have a hard time letting go of....
