DebitNM

[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. ]

330east

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

NewbE

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

Dukey1

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.

Bitter

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.

OO

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.

IMDonehere

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?
________

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.

Bitter

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.

Bitter

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.

IMDonehere

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.

MmePerdu

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.

Bitter

"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.

nytraveler

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.)

Bitter

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

NewbE

<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.

Bitter

"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.

MmePerdu

"...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?

jamie99

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.

NewbE

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.

IMDonehere

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