I wasn't recommending the OP moves to Minneapolis. Read my first reply to the OP.

The question was posed by Ackislander - where do I live that I'm seeing apartments under $600? Minneapolis is a large, gay friendly city so I find it hard to believe that other large, gay friendly cities in warmer climates have absolutely no apartments under $600 in decent neighborhoods.

I don't think $600 rentals are nearly as hard to find as some would make it sound.

Well of course that depends where you are talking about. I was thinking of the "progressive" (and gay friendly) places in my current region (Pacific Northwest). And $600 will not get you even a studio apartment in Seattle, Portland, Corvallis, or Eugene.

You mean like this one?

http://eugene.craigslist.org/apa/4297300657.html

I stand corrected. He can move to Eugene.

I'm sure there are more in your region but I'm not about to waste my time searching every city that's listed. My point stands that I don't think its nearly as hard to find apartments under $600 as some would make it out to be. I mean, it took me all of 2 minutes to find that one and I didn't even leave my couch.

I wonder what spending a couple days in a city, walking the neighborhoods and contacting various rental agencies would uncover.

Look I live in Seattle. I know what rents are here. And a studio in the city, and studios rent for $800-950/month.

I've got no horse in this race. I have friends who have been trying to find cheaper housing for years, and they cannot.

Eugene is a college town, so I realize now that has a different demographic.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/4296293396.html

I have no idea what this neighborhood is like, and obviously it is a tiny studio which is not desirable for more established people. But someone just starting out could make it work.Assuming they have a co-signer for the lease or a job waiting (the latter is unlikely in this case I think).

Hey, the only horse I have in this race is that I did something very similar when I was younger and I made it work. It makes me cringe when someone says it isn't possible, but I've always been pretty stubborn.

I did it too when I was "younger". I drove cross country with $1000 to my name and moved to Seattle (in the 80's) and lived in a $125/month basement apartment. But that was 1980, this is 2014.

That one you linked is no where you would want to live. Believe me. I'm sitting in my office a couple blocks from that location right now. It's a slum.

Have you actually looked for an apartment in a city recently? I'm not just talking sitting home Googling or on Craigslist?

Yes. I've helped friends look for apartments in the past year, but since I bought my house 3 years ago I haven't looked for myself.

>>Sorry, I have to disagree with LeeAnn (first time ever) about Albuquerque.

I would suggest Austin, also. I'm not sure about the ratio of gay to straight, but Austin is well-known for being an all-inclusive city. It's affordable, the weather is great and it has lots of night life and outdoor activities in close proximity.

Everyone can suggest all over the place. This is like asking "how long is a string". This person needs to do some serious research--and personally I don't think a travel board is "research" in this case.
I also wish the OP had a little higher aspiration (as Ack suggested he do). I think MANY places are much more gay friendly than is publicized. You get the bad publicity from those that are not--true?
Charlotte is a great place. Great community college system, as well as a university. Great weather. Young community. Growing.