Help...looking for a liberal friendly small town (Syracuse, Canton, Vermont)

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Infidel

Whenever I look into it, it seems like NY property taxes are out-of-this-world high, like nothing I've ever seen. Upstate in way out-of-the-way places where nobody lives you can find beautiful old Victorians selling for $100K. But when you look closer you find that property taxes are $4K-$5K /year, getting close to what the annual mortgage costs would be. Crazy.

Even with the property tax rates, the cost of housing in Upstate NY is generally lower than most other places and is on par with the South.

Where are these way out of the way places, by the way?

Also, look into places like Oneonta, Hamilton, Oswego, Geneva, Plattsburgh, Canton, Potsdam, Morrisville, Cortland, Geneseo and Fredonia.

[Infidel]

Oh, up around Watertown for example. It's out-of-the-way but still close to the lake. Double win.

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Even with the property tax rates, the cost of housing in Upstate NY is generally lower than most other places and is on par with the South.

Where are these way out of the way places, by the way?

Also, look into places like Oneonta, Hamilton, Oswego, Geneva, Plattsburgh, Canton, Potsdam, Morrisville, Cortland, Geneseo and Fredonia.

[jim9251]

Telluride Colorado.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by disneyrecords

Long thread, but to sum it up, a college town or tourist area will likely be more liberal. There are some communities which could be considered artist colonies.

I would add ski towns too.

[skylar0201]

Originally Posted by bongo

I would add ski towns too.

Yes, definitely. Park City, UT ( pop ~6600 ) and Jackson, WY ( pop ~ 10k ) are perfect examples.

Each of those small towns, are about 70% liberal.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Infidel

Oh, up around Watertown for example. It's out-of-the-way but still close to the lake. Double win.

Actually, the Watertown area has seen some growth thanks to Fort Drum and is close to the 1000 Islands and Sackets Harbor.

The Village of Sackets Harbor NY - Experience the Treasures!

VISIT THE 1000 ISLANDS

Thousand Islands | 1000 islands | Tourism Info | Images Thousand Islands Region

Fort Drum

As for the other Upstate NY communities mentioned, it can get cold, but it can vary too. For instance, it is sunny and in the high 40's to low 50's today in my area. If anything, it is more about the snow versus freezing temps. Even snowfall averages vary as well.

[TerryDactyls]

I've seen Austin, Texas listed several times. I live here. I'm a liberal. And I may be the only one left in town. It is "liberal" for Texas but it is still very conservative. I retire in two years and I'm getting out of town as fast as I can. Right now, it looks like Portland Maine is the destination.

[maestrajj]

Any winners in Illinois?

[jefffla01]

I would also suggest Madison, Wis.

Its not a small town---about 230,000 right now---it does have a small town feel to it.

Madison is a fairly liberal city---Univ of Wisconsin.

Area is pretty with nice lakes ----Lake Mendota.

Getting into the very pretty rolling hills of Wisconsin----a very pretty state.

Negative---tough winters.

[Infidel]

Originally Posted by TerryDactyls

I've seen Austin, Texas listed several times. I live here. I'm a liberal. And I may be the only one left in town. It is "liberal" for Texas but it is still very conservative. I retire in two years and I'm getting out of town as fast as I can. Right now, it looks like Portland Maine is the destination.

I'm sorry to hear that about Austin. I've long heard the buzz about it being a very liberal, very high-tech city, and it seemed very appealing for those two things.
Portland is a wonderful town, I thought about moving there a long time ago after having visited once or twice. They've really fixed up the downtown, and the place has so much history. It had never occurred to me that it was a liberal-leaning place though. I hope you like (or can get used to) the variations of the Baahston accent you'll be surrounded with, and (worse), the Red Sox. ;-)