Liberal Cities
 

Hi, there! I moved from Portland to Minneapolis three years ago, and while they are both nice cities, Minneapolis has proven a challenge: I have Reynaud's syndrome and I'm quite miserable in the cold weather. I had hoped to move back to Portland, but in my time away the housing costs in PDX have skyrocketed. So I've decided to open my search to other cities that are liberal, environmentally conscious, friendly...and I'm obviously looking for somewhere warmer than Minneapolis, although the cost of living here is pretty low (which has been great). I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Ha, when I saw your title, my first thought was Minneapolis! We lived just south of there for a few years, it's still the most liberal place we ever lived, and we loved it :-)

But yeah, it's cold.

Austin comes to mind...I haven't lived there, but we lived in West Texas, and you'd be on an island of liberalism in an otherwise very conservative state.

What size city do you require? Would smaller places within, say, 100 miles of a city qualify? Particular requirements would help, such as a university, strong arts community, anything you consider essential.

Come back to Oregon and try Corvallis or Eugene depending on your favorite school (U of O or Oregon State).
If you choose Eugene you can ride an Amtrak bus or train to Portland for not too much money.

Most cities are liberal. More so than their suburban and exurban surroundings. This is true for Denver, Seattle, and even those in the South like Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, and even Birmingham; also true for those in the Rust Belt like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincy. Liberal means different things to different people because voting records are different from policies. If you're looking for another dose of Portlandia, Austin probably works but it's about 250 square miles of LA in Texas.

There are a lot of liberal cities that are too expensive versus Minneapolis (SF, LA, NYC, Boston, Chicago), that are patronage mills (Washington DC, Philly, Baltimore, most of the preceding) or dumps (Detroit, Oakland, St. Louis, Camden, Wilmington [DE, not NC]). Caveat emptor.

All that said - if you're looking for general livability and good quality of life, try for a major college town like a mid-Atlantic or Southern version of Madison. Like Boulder, Tucson, Athens, or similar.

I prefer mid-size cities, such as Portland, Minneapolis, which have art communities and universities and farmers markets. : ) I do prioritize a place that has an active outdoors community. I love to kayak, camp, hike. And I love an active music and art scene. But I also prefer something a little more laid back and smaller than a big city like LA.

Austin would be great, but I've heard many people say the same as you have about it being an island in Texas. Its the same with Arizona. I love AZ (what a beautiful state), but I can only take so much of the politics.

I've wondered about North Carolina, which sounds beautiful and temperate.

Great suggestions, everyone!!! Much appreciated! (and cities like Eugene or Corvallis sound lovely to me, as well)

I live about an hour into the hills from Sacramento, CA and we have everything you mention except a university. Grass Valley/Nevada City. Reasonably priced housing, lively arts community with proximity to much more in Sacramento and San Francisco for special events. Mild climate, convenient to a good-sized airport.

It sounds to me like you may need a road trip to get the feel of some places that may be the one. Or which may not be, depending on the priorities of those making the suggestions. The "feel" of a place is an intangible and needs to be felt in person.

I should add that the communities I mention are not mid-sized cities, but 2 towns 4 miles apart surrounded by outdoor activity opportunities and have remarkable resources of every kind for the size of the population. I think it's because of the number of city people who have relocated here and want the best of the city without the disadvantages of city life.

I absolutely agree, MmePerdu! That is great advice. I have fallen in love with cities just by visiting for a few days, and travel is my favorite thing.

I've considered Sacramento, and I have spent some time in that area. Love the mild weather.

If you decide to venture this way, I'll show you my towns. I confess, though, I don't really know Sacramento. I like where I am so much I don't often leave, everything I need is here. But I can point you to people there with enough lead time.

Much appreciated! That would be great.

Do you have a car to drive back to the west coast or would you consider taking the Amtrak Empire Builder back to Portland (or Seattle) from MSP?

Surprisingly - Sacramento would fit. The city (as in the 'central city area') is very liberal. The rest of the county not so much.

There is a major university 12 miles away in Davis, a large State college IN the city, two community colleges a vibrant arts community, a very active LGBT community, two rivers and the 24 mile American River Parkway (bike/hiking/walking trail). It is close to Lake Tahoe and to San Francisco, in the middle of several wine regions, a massive (and growing) local craft beer industry, . . . and never any snow and almost never below 32°F

@tomfuller: I have a car, so I would be driving and moving myself wherever I end up. I've enjoyed many trips on Amtrak in the past, however. : ) It was especially lovely through Montana.

>>The city (as in the 'central city area') is very liberal. <<

What I meant to say is the 'City of Sacramento' . . . not just the 'central' city. Sacramento is a large city in a larger county. The entire city is liberal (all nine city council members/Mayor are liberal Democrats where as the county government is majority moderate/conservative/Republican). And Davis just across the causeway - its nickname is the Peoples Republic of Davis ;) As liberal as any place in the SF Bay Area.

@janisj How is housing in the Sacramento area? I've heard horror stories of dual-income households not being able to afford to live in SF, but perhaps that doesn't extend to Sacramento...hopefully not....

I think "liberal" is very much in the eye of the beholder. It depends on how liberal not just in your city but also the whole state - since state laws will control many issues.

For instance, I would never touch any place in Texas with a barge pole. Nor would I consider Atlanta liberal - but I come from a place where the Reps sometimes don't bother to field a candidate.

Think about Albuquerque -- has lots of what you are looking for- outdoors, art, farmer's markets, university, reasonable housing and cost of living. We get a bit of snow that doesn't last long and winter temps that feel warmer than thermometer reads due to abundant sunshine. While we are a Republican state by elected officials now, it is quite liberal in the live and let live arena.

New Mexico is a beautiful place, particularly the north, but having had an inside glimpse into state politics, a relative by marriage in the top ranks, unless things have changed enormously in the last years, it does indeed swing right. But it's also an interesting mix and, having spent visits in Santa Fe & Taos, it is quite a mix, with enough of the left to balance the right in some communities and, of course, the very visible artist community.

[FYI -- Current mayor of ABQ is first Republican in 30 years. Before current governor, there were only 2 Republican governors since 1971, the rest were Democrats. ]

Sarasota, FL is very nice. Culture, food, weather etc

Sarasota IS very nice, but not liberal, and nor is the state of Florida.

There are some "more liberal than other" spots in Florida including the VERY blue counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange (Orlando) and Leon.

However, you need to be aware of the tax and housing situation down here as well as the actual weather patterns. I agree that Sarasota is not "liberal" as compared to other areas.

I've seen this question on Fodor's before, and it always strikes me as odd. Why would someone who presumably considers themselves liberal not be open to a community that may be diverse in its political leanings? Years ago, being open to others' thoughts or ideas was a fundamental part of being liberal. Not so much anymore.

I love Sarasota, but no, not liberal. Austin is very much so, and most all of the other large cities in TX as well, but yes, listening to state politics can be disheartening. Still liberals DO love living in Austin, state politics be damned. I wouldn't completely rule that out.

I've seen this question on Fodor's before, and it always strikes me as odd. Why would someone who presumably considers themselves liberal not be open to a community that may be diverse in its political leanings?
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It is so common for those who are not liberal to define those who are liberal. I have no tolerance for people who want to deny freedoms and rights to others that they have.
If you consider that intolerance, than we have a basic disagreement on enlightenment and open mindedness. Open mindedness is that everyone is equal and deserve the same dignity and rights that you have.

Open mindedness accepts mainstream science and will consider any new idea founded in facts and logic.

Open mindedness does not accept one religious view above all others.

Open mindedness glories in intellectual and artistic achievement and is not that threatened by it.

Open mindedness is to understand the history and culture of your country and world, not through any particular prism, but where the facts take you.

The vast majority of states that are poorest, least healthy, and least educated also get more money from the federal government than they pay in taxes, then cry for states rights. I would not want to live where such an oblivious lack of self-awareness exists.

And I want to live in a community that reflects those values.

IMDonehere: Your post assumes that conservatives all want to treat others like some kind of lower class citizens. That's rubbish but consistent with the closed mindedness and parroting we often see from the left. Indeed, if you were so broad minded you would engage with the same folks you are stereotyping and see whether they are as one dimensional as you think. You both might learn something.

Oh, and the idea that "liberals" all have the characteristics you note is quite ridiculous. IME a large contingent of self described liberals are not particularly worldly or open minded, they just want to be associated with the cool/hip kids.

Once again Bitter you define others for your own convenience and sense of security. You would certainly not want to think that older, educated, successful people might be of a different mind than you. Traitors who threaten your core beliefs.

Funny Bitter, I did not use the word conservative as being closed minded, you did.

Everything you write proves my point. Thank you.

I have no problem whatever with those whose views differ from mine. I do have a problem with those who would impose their views on me by making mine illegal.

"Funny Bitter, I did not use the word conservative as being closed minded, you did."

Crazy, right?! It's almost as if I thought "conservative" was the opposite of "liberal." I know. I know. That's just bizarre. How dare I.

"Everything you write proves my point. Thank you."

Really? Everything? Well isn't that just fascinating.

Liberal does indeed include tolerance of other opinions - but not of racism, bigotry, hatred, denying others their civil rights, demanding adherence to a specific religion or not funding the basic rights of everyone as established under the constitution.

Any place that focuses on "state's rights" versus adherence to our universal constitution - is a place where a liberal will not be happy. (Sorry, but the Civil War was lost more than 150 years ago - and that was the end of "state's rights" as a rationale for circumventing the established rights of individuals.)

I'm guessing those bastions of conservative thinking that have legalized pot might consider "states rights" a positive thing.

<Your post assumes that conservatives all want to treat others like some kind of lower class citizens. >
Um, because they do?

Ban gay marriage for EVERYONE because MY religion says so.
Ban contraception for EVERYONE because MY religion says so.
Ban abortion for EVERYONE because MY religion says so.

Meanwhile...

Don't abridge MY right to: carry a gun; discriminate against people of color; discriminate against gay people; discriminate against women; and generally obey only the laws I like because that's MY right.

Sorry, but I am sick and tired of false equivalencies. Open mindedness is the very heart of liberalism, full stop.

"Um, because they do?"

Strange, because if I have learned anything on Fodors it is that self described liberals love, LOVE to pee on conservatives. Indeed, I don't know how liberals would get their daily dose of superiority if there weren't any conservatives around.

"carry a gun; discriminate against people of color; discriminate against gay people; discriminate against women; and generally obey only the laws I like because that's MY right."

Oh, boy, your list fails in the first example. Reasonable people can have very different opinions about guns and restrictions thereon. As for descrimination, you are kidding yourself if you think conservatives monopolize the market on discrimination. And as for the last one, that's a tendency of folks with all stripes: See, e.g., many liberals' attitudes toward immigration laws.

"...liberals love, LOVE to pee on conservatives."

That makes perfect sense to me. If anyone must pee on someone, why would we choose our friends, rather than someone who hates us already, pee or no pee?

This thread is getting sidelined with political views that should be taken to the Lounge IMO.
OP, take a look at Charlottesville, VA, nice university town with decent weather. Sacramento is nice also, have relatives there but the housing has gotten expensive, my stepson says others from the Bay Area have moved east for less expensive housing.

The mention of Charlottesville reminds me to put in a plug for DC, a liberal city no matter who is in the WH or which party controls the houses of Congress. Trouble is, as a poster noted above, it's gotten very, very expensive, and it also doesn't have that sort of crunchy granola vibe.

What it does have: world class art and history museums, good public transportation, proximity to nature, farmer's markets, a young population... Plus, it's easy striking distance to Philly, NYC, Boston, Miami.

"...liberals love, LOVE to pee on conservatives."
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It is a waste as it still does not make them grow.