"...it still does not make them grow."

Even better.

The "how dare you denigrate conservatives" post took longer than I thought it would.

Where we have abandoned the OP is in losing sight of his/her Reynaud's.

Colorado, Northern New Mexico, the Sierra Nevada all have cold winters, dry cold winters, but cold winters.

S/he needs to decide whether it is more important to be in a warm place or an amusing one. Austin would be hard to beat if s/he can take the summers.

"...the Sierra Nevada all have cold winters, dry cold winters, but cold winters."

It wasn't the Sierra Nevada is was recommending but the foothills, not particularly cold, certainly not dry in a "normal" winter, if there is such a thing anymore, raining as I write and an occasional sprinkling of snow that melts when the sun is above the trees.

What do you do? What will you do in the new city? How will you support yourself?

I ask because you are concerned with housing prices in Portland. Well, if that is the case, then I have to assume you aren't independently wealthy. To that end, employment and earning prospects should probably factor into your decision.

The reality is that Minneapolis is super affordable. I struggle to think of many cities where you will match the lifestyle you like there at a price that is comparable, where earnings will be comparable, AND where it will be warmer.

Given your concerns over housing prices in Portland, you can pretty much write off most of coastal California and Seattle. Boulder will be a no-go. None of the major cities from DC north would make the cut (and weather would be problematic). Honestly, you've really tied your hands.

The reality is that the further south you go, the less self-consciously liberal it is going to be. Austin is a possibility, as noted, but note that it is a bit more expensive for housing than Minneapolis. You still have the issue that the state isn't as liberal as the city.

Short of Austin, there aren't necessarily a lot of obvious choices. You could go with a Eugene, but it may not have the professional opportunities, depending upon your field. Outside of those choices, I suspect you are probably looking at some sort of compromise. Given your medical condition, I suspect that your compromise may have to be on the liberal dimension. Certainly, you will find like-minded people in most of the larger cities in the South, even if the overall politics may not be to your liking. Consider some place like Nashville or Raleigh. Atlanta is also an option.

I'll second DebitNM's recommendation of Albuquerque, for all the reasons she mentioned.

Lee Ann

Sacramento's weather is mild during 3 of the 4 seasons, but summers are blisteringly hot.

Doesn't Albuquerque have an unusually high crime?

"...summers are blisteringly hot."

All things relative, in my experience, Palm Springs is blistering, Phoenix is blistering, Sacramento warmer than some may like. Anyway, isn't that what AC is for? Better to retire to a cool place in the afternoon than shovel snow, slip on ice, and all the rest of the cold-weather inconveniences.

>>Doesn't Albuquerque have an unusually high crime?<<

Not since Walter White died.

>>Doesn't Albuquerque have an unusually high crime?<<

Not since Walter White died.

Signed
Saul

I have heard good things about Asheville, North Carolina --that's it is not only liberal, but artsy and naturally beautiful.

>>Doesn't Albuquerque have an unusually high crime?<<

It has crime, like any other city, but not what I'd call unusually high.

Lee Ann

I have to say that Minneapolis was the first city that popped into mind when I saw your title too. I live in Minneapolis and understand exactly what you are talking about because at different times in our lives we've thought about the same question, and we've never found an answer. We have family members who have moved to the hill country of Texas (another supposedly liberal enclave), near Austin so we've visited there. You couldn't get me to move to Texas, no matter what.

The longer we live in Minneapolis (and we've lived here a long time) we've come to realize that the park systems can't be matched, access to wilderness is easily available, arts activities are abundant, there are lots of ethnic dining opportunities etc. Realistically in order to find a place without cold weather, you need to go pretty far south and to some states whose political leanings you don't agree with.

With your health condition I don't know what to suggest. Suck it up and pay the high cost of living in Portland or the West Coast, perhaps in a smaller, mid-size city. Or, wait a few years for the effects of global warming to further moderate the weather in Minneapolis. It's almost 60 right now. Unbelievable for the beginning of March!

Atlanta GA, especially the intown communities
Decatur GA
Asheville, NC

Thanks -- to those of you who managed to have a thoughtful dialogue without bringing and whole emotional drama of political and personal biases.

It's sad how this one innocent question has turned into an inflammatory online urine fest.

Urine fest? Come on, now. That's rude, after this forum provided you a place to post your question and many people considered your request.

Your question is about your political and personal biases; why would you imagine everyone else would leave theirs out?

@julies: It is indeed a beautiful day in MN!!! Cost of living here is great, as well as the many things that you and others have pointed out. : )

Honestly I think it comes down to a strong urge to experience living in different cities...

Each place has it's own wonderful distinct personality, and while there are general flavors some prefer over others (hence my original question), I love the discovery process of moving to new cities. I want to experience many places, both traveling to and living in.

Did we address the question about housing costs in Sacramento? All things are relative, of course, but for a CA city, Sac has amazingly affordable housing. It is much more affordable than the SF Bay Area.

"Your question is about your political and personal biases; why would you imagine everyone else would leave theirs out?"

Well said. And absent maybe a lifestyle that might cause derision in some backward community (I can understand not wanting to live there for a variety of reasons!), I don't know why someone would want to insulate themselves from different perspectives, particularly if they characterize themselves as "liberal." Seems antithetical. But alas when it comes to discourse and idea, I don't think folks who characterize themselves as liberal are quite as liberal as they think.