I am in search of a new city.
image from amerigas.org
I have the following requirements:
1. Good public schools: I currently live in a start with one of the worst public school system in the country. To make matters worse I am a teacher, so I have higher expectations than most for a school because I know what bad things actually happen at supposed good schools.
2. Blue state/ Blue city: Being gay and not having over 1100 legal rights is expensive and difficult. The time has come to live where I can have some legal standing.
3. Four seasons: Not the hotel. But, four actual real seasons, and gasp perhaps snow.
That is all I want. Problem is can I find it within my price range?
So bloggers what city should I be living in?
nevercontrary 
Melbourne Australia. I would say Perth, where i am but… our state school system sucks and we dont have snow. Melbourne have a great state school system, snow close by and 4 seasons…sometimes all in one day 🙂
But do they just let americans move to australia?
Are you joking? If you’re white and your not on an old leaky boat being chased by people who want to kill you…our government welcomes you with open arms. Otherwise…we indefinitely detain you. 😦
I have never looked into moving to another country. I just figured it was hard since it is hard to move to europe.
Maybe Portland, OR?
I have heard that from quite a few people in fact. It is in my list of finalists.
Check out Maine and Vermont.
I have not looked into maine. I have vermont. It is beautiful.
Washington DC?
Too expensive I fear.
I’d say Melbourne as well!
How do I even go about moving to Australia from the states? With Visas et all
Oak Park, Illinois. The most liberal suburb in America. Former home of Hemingway. Home to lots of beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including a famous Unitarian Universalist church with a thriving, welcoming congregation. Had a gay couples registry long before anyone even really thought about one. Many friends of Snide Reply live there.
I second that! Chicagoland is the way to go.
Ok I better check it out.
I will add it to the list of places to look into. Is it affordable being so fabulous?
What do you want to live in and what is your budget? There are condos, townhouses and single family homes in Oak Park. Now is supposed to be a fabulous time to buy there as the prices are so depressed. They used to be depressing, but not so much now. If you are willing to move farther out from Chicago, there is goodness all around, but for gay couples (you have kids, right?) with kids, I can’t think of a more welcoming place to live. AND, the beach is only an hour away. Even is you just visit, you gotta check out the beach in Chicago.
I need some kind of outside space under 200. I could live with 2 bedrooms if it the city was worth it. I have not been to chicago since I was a kid, guess I need to go back and check it out.
Houston. Grew up here, still only 6 miles from from that. We have a huge gay population, even a gay epicenter, and a gay mayor. Where I live, the public school is awesome. In Houston? Not-so-much (unless it’s magnet). I wouldn’t call us blue, and I wouldn’t call us red — we’re probably purple, but we’re an eclectic mix and all get along. Pockets of red that I’d steer clear of (mostly in the county seat of Brazoria County, they don’t like gays and especially not liberals).
Still cheapest place to live and work in America. Still growing. Still have jobs available. Cheap gas. Cheap (farm grown) food. Downsides: everything’s a long way from anything (driving), it’s hotter than Hades (I hear the Devil summers here), and the scenery ain’t so nice (it’s really flat here).
It’d be an easy move. We already have many people from NO (after Ike) who now call us home.
My best friend would agree with you as she is there. But Houston is too big for me and not blue enough to have to be in such a red state. However, I do think Houston is a kick ass city. I love visiting.
Edmonton Alberta. The only problem is winter sucks, but the summers are amazing. The sun set last night was 10:30. The schools are fantastic, the gay community is vibrant and our premier supports and attends the gay community events. People have rights in Canada so it isn’t a matter of gay rights etc,, and we have a social system that will knock your socks off. An added bonus is our Canadian health care.
I lived in Minnesota, so I know I can handle the winter,but is it easy for americans to move to canada to live?
Yes, you are the good guys 🙂
New Orleans. No snow, but Mardi Gras trumps everything. Plus, all the praline bacon you could want.
Ha I had a feeling you might say that 🙂
definitely not in my city…
an irish city maybe…no reason im just a fan of ireland.. 😛
What city are you in?
i live in Chandigarh, India…although its a beautiful city..but sadly not gay friendly ..though i wish it was…
wow india. I have never been there. I have heard wonderful things.
I recently did one of those online tests to see what cities meet your requirements after asking a few questions – pretty interesting. Good Luck & Have a Great Weekend!
When I took one of those tests, it told me Paris. I couldn’t agree more. ha!
How about my new hometown (moving soon) New Orleans..for many reasons but as far as education, they have the spotlight on their education system now and is getting massive funding, it’s not an expensive city, gay friendly, rich in culture, etc, etc…..
I do love so many things about new orleans.
Not Hull! I’m afraid it doesn’t tick any of these points 🙂 Good luck in your hunting!
Ok I will rule Hull out, even though I do not know where that is.
Austin!
I have heard wonderful things about this city, but have never been. Maybe I should check it out.
Austin is wonderful. I lived there for four of the best years of my life. And a vibrant gay community. Surrounded by red, but as blue as can be!
I am just now seeing this, but stay in BR and move to Spanish Town or Mid City. We need you here.
Dear, why don’t you move too? Solution! This city is too slow for our hip ways.
Just found this blog and have the perfect answer. Denver. Have never had a reason to leave!
I have heard Denver is amazing. But then someone told me they don’t like people who did not grow up near mountains and skiing, so I got scared to consider it. So, is that true?
I live in Boulder, but lived in Denver for a long time. Almost no one grew up here. And you can learn to ski! Colorado is great! Conservative outside the metro areas, but quality of life is very high here.
Cool I will check it out.
Yes; Boulder is definitely a paradise. Natives of Denver can be considered snobs (moi?) but the expense of mountain sports have left most of us in the dust. Aside from the Amendment 2 mess in the early 90’s, Denver has a vibrant gay community. You’d enjoy it.
Thanks! I will check it out!
Sorry, hate to follow the others… but they are totally right. You could check out Melbourne or Sydney in Australia. I believe they check off your list as mentioned above. On top of it all, it would be a totally new experience for you. Not quite sure about Melbourne on this, but I do know that Sydney has a very large gay community however, the cost of living is pretty pricey there… unlike Melbourne. Likewise, I’m not too sure about the visa entries into Aus, but I can’t imagine it being too hard for someone from the States who has a stable profession. They both have a very strong and stable education system in those cities.
Maybe you could make them your next overseas holiday destination with your partner. Good luck!
Good Idea. I will have to look into how easy it is to get a job teaching over there. Thanks!