Hood, and close to many orchards and U-pick farm stands, the intimate and beautifully appointed Old Parkdale Inn is a lovely, gay-friendly B&B thats ideal if youd prefer a quieter, more countrified setting. Best LGBTQ+-friendly small towns in the USA - Time Out United The cost of living, housing prices and tax rates are particularly low in Orlando. All of them have good housing stock, plenty of things to do, and prices that are still (relatively) within reach. The city has a strong LGBTQ+ community well represented in politics and an incredible pride festival in June which was recently ranked among the top ten pride festivals in the country by USA Today, attracting more than 350,000 people annually. Ivanhoe Village District is a colorful bohemian community where youll find some fabulous antique dealers as well as a couple of laid-back neighborhood bars. The gay-friendliest beach is on County Road 399, two miles past the Gulf Islands National Seashore sign. Affordable Gay Vacation Towns - TripSavvy Web12 Small Towns Known for Being LGBTQ-Friendly. Sunny Tampa is close to the popular beach towns of St. Petersburg, Gulfport and Dunedin. WebThese Gay-Friendly Cities Have Lots to Offer LGBTQ BuyersIncluding Affordable Homes. 1. Sample delicious vino and support equal treatment for all at. When choosing accommodation, consider LGBTQ-owned inns like, A popular escape from Washington D.C., Lost River welcomes you with rolling hills, forested retreats, and several LGBTQ-owned businesses such as the, , a visitor favorite since 1982. With 14% LGBT population, this walkable suburb with a small-town atmosphere is dubbed the countrys Second Gayest City (second only to Provincetown). Atlanta is the epicenter of the gay South, and members of the LGBTQ community have flocked there from more conservative towns and states for decades. Required fields are marked *. While theres no designated gayborhood in Virginia Beach, the ViBe Creative District is an artsy cultural hub. However, if you miss Pridefest, dont worry as there is another fantastic 4-day LGBTQ+ festival, Denver OutFest, held in October. The region is highlighted by colorful artwork and murals that meticulously cover the walls of many edifices. The Visit Bloomington website offers anLGBTQ Visitors Guideas a tip-of-the-hat to the LGBTQ community which has helped shape the citys culture. With its increasingly luxurious hotels, exciting nightlife, and rich culture, Tampa is quickly catching up to the east coast cities of Miami and Palm Beach. Now dont get me wrong, its not the most LGBTQ+ friendly city in the United States by any means. Most notable of which is the Pride Parade and Festival, which occurs annually in June. Alongside an extensive range of LGBTQ+ owned businesses to support during your travels. , which has staged original plays and musicals (including world premieres from Terrence McNally and Neil Simon), revivals, and concerts since 1939. Most college towns tend to be more progressive, open and tolerant, and the small college town of Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is no exception. With the growing LGBTQ community, we added a Naples and Marco Island travel guide to road trip experiences. There are unique neighborhood vibes to suit your preferences. West Palm Beach has more than 40 miles of beaches, plenty of shopping, and while relatively small, there is still some gay nightlife. Safety and an accepting community are two of the most important considerations of gay home buyers, according to a report last month by Freddie Mac and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, an organization of real estate professionals. Philadelphia is an increasingly queer-friendly city and an unlikely candidate on this list. Try another? There is also a list of queer social events to attend including the citysPride Film Festival, a three-day event that has been around for 14 years. Saugatuck and Douglas, two small beach towns, are popular destinations for gay and lesbian travelers, and frequently lauded as some of the most gay-friendly small towns in the country. Expand Your Horizons. It's clear, this southern city is progressing quickly.. Soft sand, gentle waves, and warm smiles greet you in this delightful seaside town. Some decided to stay and build a laid-back life in Vilano Beach, Matanzas Bay, or the San Savinoneighborhood of St. Augustine Shores. In other words, if youre looking for tolerance, culture and diversity, youre no longer limited to major metropolises. Is Discrimination To Blame. Over the last several decades, the uber-queer Five Pointsforms the hub of what is, without question, the most gay-friendly area of Jacksonville. Tallahassee is not only the college hometowns of both Florida State University and Florida A&M University, but is also the state capital, and is considered a hub for science, education and state-level politics. WebThe 7 Best Towns in South Carolina for LGBT Families Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, South Carolina are top An organization called Gear, Gender Education Advocacy Resources, that sponsors a Transgender Helpline. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. 1 most LGBTQ-friendly city last year. Take your pick of LGBTQ-owned accommodations likeSomerset House InnandLands End Innand saunter down Commercial Street for hip art galleries, terrific seafood restaurants, and popular hangouts like theBoat Slip, where seemingly everyone in town gathers for its iconic tea dance. Unsurprisingly then, there is an abundance of LGBTQ+ events in the city here, both annual and one-off. A ruby slipper in a red state, Eureka Springs inclusive spirit, and dozens of LGBTQ-owned businesses make it the gay capital of the Ozarks. Samplefamous mineral waters, swoon at gorgeous Victorian buildings, and get lost in charmingly crooked streets. South Beach takes up its southernmost two miles and is glittered with eye-catching Art Deco gems and boutique hotel. OutCoast.com Explore LGBTQ Florida is a digital magazine and Florida travel blog that highlights Floridas LGBTQ-inclusive destinations and businesses. 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Columbus, Ohio, probably wasnt on your radar when looking for an LGBTQ+ getaway, right? A haven of counterculture and the birthplace of Starbucks coffee. Its kind of like if San Diego and L.A. had a baby, that would be Long Beach, says Charlotte Kornik, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Coastal Alliance. They are finding places like Pittsburgh where they can actually have quite a lavish lifestyle as far as homes go compared to other markets like San Francisco, Larson says. With antique shops, wineries, a rich arts scene, and rustic charm, this small town along the Delaware River is a popular weekend escape from New York and Philadelphia. The ViMi District, more officially known as Virginia-Mills, is one of the citys most vibrant gay neighborhoods. Orlando is consistently rated among the most visited cities in the United States for LGBTQ+ travellers. Thanks for subscribing! Gulfport is Tampa Bays Gay Margaritaville. The city has everything from street performers to colourful buildings, mountains to beaches and happy hour bars through to lovely independent bookshops. 25mar4:00 pm9:00 pmPinellas Arts Village 4th Saturday Block pARTy! Enter your email to be added to our mailing list. The Best and Worst Places in the U.S. to Be LGBTQ Bonus: For those looking for more exciting nightlife, Boston is just 15 miles northeast. LGBTQ+ events occur regularly in the city, the most notable being the Orlando Come Out With Pride festival in October, attracting more than 185,000 people annually. And CAVO Lounge hosts a monthly drag brunch that is popular among both LGBTQ people and allies. If you like to be social, then check out the Triangle Connection, the towns LGBT Social group. 12 Small Towns Known for Being LGBTQ-Friendly - Cheapism While many travellers choose to visit this pocket of the Sunshine State for Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, theres plenty more this incredible city has to offer, including a vibrant nightlife scene, fine dining and upscale shopping malls. And as a result, many LGBTQ+ people from nearby regions are moving here due to its increasing LGBTQ+ population and the wider support from the cities community. But Pensacola Beach has long been a refuge for land-locked gay Southerners looking for a beach getaway especially during the Gay Memorial Day holiday weekend. In fact, about half of Leon Countys residents possess at least a college degree, and has the most highly educated population in all of Florida. Those looking to put down roots can scoop up a two-bed, two-bath condo in the artsy downtown neighborhood near campus for under $675,000. There are over 100,000 residents that live in this self-contained community filled with golf courses, and access to more goods and services than youd find in a regular city of that size. Finally, we sorted the list by the median list price of a home in May and limited our list to just one destination per state to ensure geographic diversity. St. Pete also is home to one of the West Coasts premiere gay beaches, Sunset Beach. This longtime LGBTQ+ hotspot offers scenic bike rides, inclusive bars and restaurants such as theShipwreck LoungeandBubalas on the Bay,amazing whale watching, and picture-perfect beaches. The Heights (Seminole Heights, Riverside Heights and Tampa Heights) are all gay-friendly hipster hoods in Tampa with historic bungalows, both large and small. To learn more about the region, check out the Mount Dora Road Trip Guide. If the idea of living in Big Sky Country appeals to you, thenMissoulais the perfect place to relocate. Rochester is the third-largest city in New York and home to a fabulous and flourishing LGBTQ+ community. South Located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, this Victorian spa town has a long history of promoting tolerance. Near Downtown, the fun and funky neighborhood of Thornton Park is full of lovingly restored homes from the beginning of the last century. There are no gay bars. We then leverage that expertise to develop city rankings for a range of topics including small towns, college towns and our annual Top 100 Best Places to Live. The highly educated and progressive city is one of the gay-friendliest in the Midwest. Top Gay-Friendly Cities in the U.S For more information, visit rainbowfamilyvillagesfl.com. Theres no denying that Florida is one of the most beautiful places to live. Gay The only thing missing in Mount Dora is a pride parade or festival, butCome Out with Pride OrlandoandOne Magical Weekend at Disneyare less than an hours drive away. Home of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville is another fantastic place for LGBTQ+ travellers to visit. However, youre also perfectly positioned to be within walking distance to the citys major sights and attractions, including museums, galleries and theatres. You may have noticed that Tallahassee has a reputation for being particularly lesbian-friendly, and that may stem from the fact that between 1905-1947 FSU was a women-only institution, and was one of the largest women-only universities in the country! It was recently recognized by Thrillist as the most gay-friendly city Located on the southern tip of St. Petes Treasure Island, among the string of barrier islands that extends along the Gulf of Mexico to the west of St. Petersburg, Sunset Beach is famous for its strip with beachfront bars and its Sunday beach parties. LGBTQ community: These are the best and worst states for LGBTQ And in 2010, the Advocate magazine ranked Bloomington as the fourth-gayest city in the country. Unsurprisingly given how progressive Boston is, there are plenty of annual LGBTQ+ events in the city and many gay-friendly and gay-owned businesses. WebWhat neighborhoods in Nashville are the most gay-friendly? And if you are hoping that many of your friends will visit after you move to the Orlando area, the proximity to the all the theme parks wont hurt. Many LGBT couples are not out. There is, however, a growing LGBT presence here. Iconic sights here include the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz Island, and Chinatown. Austin is home to an LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, an international drag festival, and several pride parades, including Queerbomb, an anti-corporate alternative to the main event. Its also one of the few dog-friendly condos in the area. 9 LGBT Friendly Places To Live In Tennessee - Felix Homes It's also home to a thriving and family-friendly LGBT Brookings, South Dakota. It offers a mix of urban amenities with a suburban feel. Wilton Manorshas many city ordinances in place that extend equal benefits to the LGBTQ community along with protections against discrimination in both employment and family-oriented affairs. Not only that, but Palm Springs is pretty close to both Coachella and Joshua Tree National Park, giving something for both the outdoorsy types and festivalists who might make Palm Springs their vacation destination. A college town at heart, Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a state school with more than 30,000 students. It's a different world when juxtaposed to the rest of South Carolina; it challenges the state's reputation for intolerance (i.e.., Ted Cruz's upcoming Death to Gay's Rally). Homes there are not cheap, though, with a newly built, two-bed, 2.5-bath condo listed at $1.9 million. Located on the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale is the queer-friendliest small town on the Florida mainland: Wilton Manors. Recently, Larson has worked with transplants from Los Angeles and other people who can work from anywhere. These LGBTQ-friendly small towns in the USA combine big-city perks with small-town charm in a most magnificent manner. Things in this historic town have become considerably more tolerant since the days of the Salem witch trials. Mount Dora even has a Christmas shop with an entire section dedicated to the LGBTQ community. MEI score: 100, Population: 122,000. WalletHub gave Orlando the highest ranking for LGBTQ Millennial job seekers, in addition, roughly 33% of the population is single. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute by WorldFoto / Alamy Stock Photo Pendleton However, if you have time to head further afield, be sure to check out the nearby Wine Country. Just a bit farther south, youll find yourself in Coral Gables, another lush, old-money neighborhood with an understated gay presence. Palm Springs is a great place to relax, rejuvenate, and reflect. Within the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, there more than 100 gay-owned businesses, including bars and clubs, cafes and coffeehouses, award-winning hotels and guest houses, and there are many up and coming LGBT-friendly neighborhoods, including: Hallandale Beach, Pompano Beach, Sea Ranch Lakes and Lauderdale Lakes. And it borders the most beautiful lakes in the state. Brookings, Many people consider gay life in Tally boring. LGBTQ folks want an equitable experience, says Ryan Weyandt, CEO of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Given the left-leaning slant of the city, its surprising that Tallahassee doesnt have a more visible gay population. The queerest friendly spot or Gayborhood in Philadelphia is Washington Square West, an area packed to the brim with gay bars, clubs, restaurants and shops. The Mad Hatter Lounge draws an eclectic crowd including the Lake Worth gay community. Dubbed the LGBTA Main Street for The West Coast of Florida, the 12-block area offers a fun mix of shops, bars and restaurants. WebHere are 24 large, small and medium-sized cities that offer an excellent combination of affordability, culture, community and LGBTQ friendliness. And while youre at it, maybe you can even find a new place to live. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destinationso wecan make updates to our recommendations. That number is even lower for LGBTQ people of color, who are more likely to experience housing discrimination. Same-sex couples can be seen walking down the street holding hands without fear in this unique Southern town that dares to take a stand against prejudices that still exist in the surrounding region. With a perfect score of 100 on the HRC Municipal Equality Index (MEI), Brookings is an excellent example of a small gay-friendly city worthy of your tourist dollars. To come up with this list, the Realtor.com data team found states that had at least 2.5 married or co-habitating same-sex couples per 1,000 residents using U.S. Census Bureau data. Long Beach isnt what most people would quite call affordable. They have regular drop-in hours where youth are able to relax, do Salem has a small gay scene and only one gay bar, but it has a popular Rainbow Pride parade (moved to September this year) as well as other events throughout the year, including the Salem Art Fair and Festival in July, the Salem Film Festival, and the Salem Lit Fest. Given this deep LGBTQ+ history, its no surprise that New York City is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the world in which youll find an endless number of queer-friendly bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Lakeshore, for example, is a popular gayborhood. Or, if closer to downtown is more your thing, the artsy and hip All Saints neighborhood, is quirky, fun and very gay-friendly. Take your pick of LGBTQ-owned accommodations like, and saunter down Commercial Street for hip art galleries, terrific seafood restaurants, and popular hangouts like the. The main street is the Drive (aka Wilton Drive), where shops and restaurants alike proudly display their rainbow flags. The latest U.S. Census figures report that Asheville has 83 percent more gay and lesbian residents than an average American city. LGBT folks living in the South are responsible for the blossoming queer communities, and they need support. WebHere's a list of up-and-coming queer communities in the South. WebThe Heights ( Seminole Heights, Riverside Heights and Tampa Heights) are all gay-friendly hipster hoods in Tampa with historic bungalows, both large and small. For a magical experience, visit during December forNight Of The Luminaria, when the entire town is illuminated by candlelight. Although some festivities may still be virtual, or a bit more muted than in past years, there are still plenty of reasonsand opportunitiesto dust off that rainbow flag and get ready to kiki across the country. If you are more interested in new construction in the suburban areas of Tampa Bay, you may want to try Wesley Chapel in Pasco County or the more affordable of area of Riverview. Livability explores what makes small-to-medium sized cities great places to live. Annual pride celebrations in Las Vegas are held in October and include an LGBTQ+ Film Festival, The Rodeo Parade and a street festival on Fremont Street. The final Midwestern city on this list, Minneapolis, is an excellent choice for LGBTQ+ travellers looking for a long weekend getaway filled with history and culture. Seattle is well-known for its rain. Its secluded think dunes and sea oats and 22-acre north Lido Park looms like a forest above. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. The best LGBTQ-friendly small-towns in the USA offer the freedom to explore small-town America while feeling comfortable traveling as you are. For our complete LGBTQ guide to Delray, check out our Gay Florida Road Trip Guide to Delray Beach.