Best places to live for a Democrat?

[Obamarulz11]

For those of us here on DU are in the process of relocating or looking to move. What are the best places to live for us Democrats? (especially those who live in the red)

[Zynx]

1. Madison, WI.

[elocs]

17. Although I am from La Crosse I would say that Madison is a great place for a Democrat to live.

I believe that Madison also makes a lot of lists as one of the best places in the country to live.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

192. THose lists should only be given to certain types of people

the quality is changing because too many have been and are moving here. then again if more DUers come they will maybe help build up our base to the correct level again. ;)

[Shiver]

195. I've noticed that too

And would like to add in my vote to Madison being the best place for a Democrat. More DUers need to come here, though, I agree. Can never have to many Dems here ;)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

196. as long as they aren't pseudo-Dems

such as our local 3rd party, "Progressive Danes", who are in bed with the developers under the guise of New Urbanism.

[ladym55]

34. I second that

Every time I visit my son in Madison, I'm ready to pack my bags and move there.

[dysfunctional press]

41. that's our next and hopefully final stop...3-4 years from now, if all goes well.

which it usually doesn't.

we're actually thinking more along the lines of dodgeville- but madison is just around the corner.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

190. Dodgeville - the area around it - is peaceful and beautiful

only about 40 miles from Madtown

Madison has its own troubles these days with overdevelopment and too many people having moved here en masse in recent years, which makes for big increase in traffic, and dilutes the Madison spirit that used to exist. Many newcomers aren't too cool in their politics or as intelligent or well educated as the average Madisonian was 20-40 years ago, so this has an impact on the overall feel here... Used to be a big small town, and there was a kind of solidarity that I don't quite sense these days... We have our own litle Caligulas running the city and making messes of once great neighborhoods, overriding the wishes of the People, and our voices are not heard, just like is happening on a national level. OF course all this may be true everywhere, due to the times we live in. Just my observations as a long time resident, off and on.

Still, those who are moving to Madtown because they see it as a great Mecca are by and large happy with the good stuff that still exists.

Back to Dodgeville: a state park nearby is one of my favorite places. Rolling hills and valleys, ancient sandstone and dolomite cliffs surrounding clean lakes, nice hiking trails, morel hunting in the spring, cross country skiing in the winter.

[dysfunctional press]

198. governor dodge state park.

is definitely one of my favourite places to be.

[muntrv]

2. Ann Arbor, MI is nice for DUers. I live here.

[Scout]

187. another vote for Ann Arbor area n/t

[sakabatou]

3. Palo Alto, CA?

[Gregorian]

14. I grew up in Palo Alto. It's progressive, has good schools.

But it isn't what it was. I feel blessed to have been there before they paved over the entire valley.

The pluses of Palo Alto are that it's a university town, and full of entrepreneurs. The opportunities for children are sky high.

But the house I grew up in that was $30k is now over a million. And ten grand a year on property tax is something I can't even imagine. I guess I'm just saying it's relatively unaffordable.

[sakabatou]

61. Besides the expenses, it's still pretty damned good

[begin_within]

4. Portland, OR and Santa Cruz, CA

[MzNov]

36. definitely Santa Cruz.

of course San Francisco too but very expensive.

[Liberal In Texas]

5. Austin, TX

Parts of Dallas County.

[bevoette]

72. shhhh...

too many people know already!!

;)

[vanderBeth]

76. w00t for PARTS of Dallas!

but then you go out some and other parts get bad. :(

[w8liftinglady]

186. which parts of dallas?I live in Ellis county...

which is the antithesis of democratic-friendly

[protect our future]

6. Kansas City, Missouri (especially in the Brookside area)

[triguy46]

48. Hey! I've been there! I can remember when the trolley ran through there.

of course KCMO is a dem stronghold, HST, etc. Any state that could elect a dead man over John Ashcroft has to be dem through and through.

[Blue_Tires]

107. don't forget Lawrence!

[protect our future]

143. Yes! Lawrence, Kansas!

[margotb822]

7. NY?

DC?

Boston?

The north east or the west coast, and cities throughout the country.

If NASCAR is on FM radio, you are not in the right place...

[a la izquierda]

147. Nice Nascar dig...

I'm a lefty and I'm a Nascar fan. And I grew up in New Jersey.

[goodgd_yall]

180. No more NASCAR for the OP

See downthread.

[Gregorian]

8. Mendocino, California.

It doesn't get much better. Berkeley, San Francisco, Boston.

But Mendocino is like another planet, after having lived in a boneheaded town in Oregon for the last two years. I had to watch my mouth whenever I opened it.

On the other hand, going to the grocers here is like being on a Woody Allen set. Everyone is a unique progressive figure. It's pretty amazing.

But you might need to be retired and wealthy to live here. That's the downside.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

191. oh how I want to go there...

We had a trip planned this summer to the northern Cal and Oregon coasts, and sadly had to scrap our plans.

Always think of the song...
"Please stay here with me in Mendocino, Where life's such a groove"

[Xipe Totec]

9. Massatwoshits!

The only thing red are the maple leaves in the fall.

[graywarrior]

39. With NH as a best friend.

[Xipe Totec]

43. Damn Straight!

Greetings from Mt Jefferson!




How's my best warrior?

:hi:

[graywarrior]

46. Warrior-ing.

Wicked nice photo!

[Xipe Totec]

51. Just got off the Whites on Labor Day

Limped down from Madison, but made it out.


Are you still living nearby?

[graywarrior]

55. Yes. I am in North Conway.

Let me know when you're heading this way next time.

Madison is a killer. Which trail did you come down, Valley Way or Airline?

[Xipe Totec]

85. Thanks, I will.

Sorry, I dozed off last night.

I came down Valley Way; the gentlest way off Madison.

I went up Tuckerman's Ravine to Lakes of the Clouds, then the Great Gulf Trail to Jefferson, then Madison and down.

:hi:

[graywarrior]

98. That's a tough route.

Ever done Great Gulf Wilderness?

[Xipe Totec]

104. I don't think so

Is that the opposite side of the Great Gulf Trail?


Next year I'm finally going to hike Franconia Notch.

[graywarrior]

134. No, it's the same thing.

Franconia is stark wilderness, baby.

[TomInTib]

10. Southern Marin County, California.

Great food

Music, everywhere

I have seen only one McCain sticker

Wonderful weather

Festivals almost every weekend

Low crime rate


Every shot in this video is within a few minutes walk of my house/business...

http://www.vizzvox.com/stories/9Cx0QpltDHbft01fms

[Sebass1271]

24. wOW!! THIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!

Feel blessed you live there.. But i am sure you have the $$$ to afford it.
Not some of us unfortunately.

: ((

[CreekDog]

59. Marin would be God's country

if he could only afford it.

[panader0]

11. Move to a red place like here and help change the color

The climate is great, the economy is pretty good, the scenery is beautiful.

[DemoTex]

12. In the South: Asheville, NC

[Tallison]

16. Yes!

And it's sooooo gorgeous there, too. The only downside is the isolation from any major town/big city. Otherwise, what a refreshing mecca of left wingers in the middle of nowhere!

ETA: I remember stopping at this hole in the wall restaurant there once and having the best dinner in memory of organic friend green tomatoes with goat cheese while catching the occasional wiff of ganja coming from the open street into the window.

[tpsbmam]

94. My town! Absolutely!! BUT

there are enough blue dogs around here and enough Republicans that it can be frustrating. Heath Shuler is our representative......gag, gag, puke, puke. (Republican Charles Taylor was voted out, so that was a good thing.) But the likelihood of us doing better in the next say 2 terms is slim -- need more progressives before that happens. We have to try though -- Shuler sucks!

The Dems here are as good as they are in many states. It's different in the South though. I've been to Dem dinners in many places and I've never seen them loaded with religious crap like the one I went to here (at $100/plate this atheist was pissed). I swear, an evening that lasted about 2 hours had about 40 minutes of that time consumed with religious crap. The friend I went with and I weren't happy!

All of that said, Asheville is a very cool place, definitely beautiful and a good one for progressives. Asheville is in Buncombe County, which is mixed in terms of politics. To give you an idea of how progressive Asheville is, I think it was the Asheville residents who turned out to vote who led to Kucinich winning the Buncombe County primary in 2004. (He also won the Orange & Watauga County primaries.)

[DemoTex]

105. Charles Taylor is the biggest landowner in Transylvania County.

And Taylor was crooked as a dog's hind leg as a US Congressman. Shuler might suck, but it is a relative sucking. Still, nature abhors a vacuum.

[Fluffdaddy]

13. California is to damn expensive.

[Tallison]

15. Charlottesville, VA!

Although the undergrads can be on the conservative side, the grad school and rest of the town is waaaaay left.

Plus, like all great progressives, Charlottesvillians know how to :party:

[underpants]

70. Yes it is but it is god awful confusing

I have studied maps of that place and still don't get it.

:shrug:

[Tallison]

156. You're right about that

If you're going to find yourself there often, it's good to spend a half way just driving around and around the University-Downtown circuit, gradually broadening the circle until you 'get it.' If you can just remember how Main St., Rugby, Water, Market, Preston, 250 and 29 connect, you've got it.

[Tallison]

157. Oh, and Alderman Rd., too n/t

[arcadian]

165. C'ville has a great anti-war network

The activist community there is friggin' awesome.

[opiate69]

18. Olympia, Washington..

Home of Evergreen State College (or is it University still??).. very, very, very blue city.

[lumberjack_jeff]

109. Here's another shout-out for Olympia. n/t

[opiate69]

174. Howdy, neighbor! Whereabouts in Oly are you?

We're actually down in the Nisqually valley. Perhaps a meet-up would be cool to arrange

[lumberjack_jeff]

183. I'm about 50 miles west of you.

In Montesano, but my brother lives in town and we do our Costco shopping in Tumwater.

We used to have a sailboat moored downtown, and I love all my fellow freaky-people.

:hi:

[opiate69]

193. Love, love love Montesano...

very cool town..


:hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

19. Massachusetts!

Either the Boston area or the Pioneer Valley. Hands down. :)

[jakem]

103. +1 pioneer valley for dems!

:hi:

[tilsammans]

20. Vermont n/t

:dem:

[99th_Monkey]

21. I can speak for Portland Oregon. But shhh. .. don't tell anyone I told you so.. ~nt~

[hogwyld]

128. I second Portland, OR

Fantastic liberal values, awesome beer, and good coffee. It has just the right amount of quirkiness to make things interesting to boot. You can't beat the natural beauty of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Mt. Hood in the distance.

[99th_Monkey]

154. you said it better than I .. reminds me too of 50 mile trip to one of the most lovely coastlines. nt

[NC_Nurse]

22. Chapel Hill, NC.

I miss it. :(

[Oregone]

23. Vancouver Island

[marmar]

25. San Francisco.....but as a Michigander, I second Ann Arbor.

n/t

[Sebass1271]

26. I would offer West Palm Beach, FL

but then again, you will get upset knowing your entire state will go to repubs because of North Florida, which is not fair.

[VeggieTart]

27. Washington, DC

But if you hate the no congressional representation thing, Montgomery County, Maryland, is pretty good. Takoma Park, Maryland, is one of the most liberal suburbs in the nation. But don't go much north of Gaithersburg/Germantown. And Prince George's County, sadly, has a serious crime problem.

Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia, aren't bad, but they are Virginia, and you're far more likely to see pockets of conservatism, especially if you venture too far outside the Beltway. Still, if you can relocate and register in time, you can help make sure they still have a senator named Warner. Repub John Warner is retiring, and former Governor Mark Warner is trying to take his seat.

[Auggie]

28. Berkeley!

[LeftyMom]

29. California sucks.

It's hot and crowded and everything is expensive and we have two earthquakes and a wildfire every week.

Please nobody come here.

[Ichingcarpenter]

35. It's a Hotel.... listen to the eagles..... I'm mean come on

you want to live in a Hotel?

I think not!!!

[MzNov]

40. I've been looking at Portland.

I just can't take any more CA prices either. The rents are just plain laughable!

[Ichingcarpenter]

49. I lived in Washington State sweetie

not that bad either. But the weather is not as good as here.

You have San Francisco prices not the prices of the Central Coast
they have gone down a ton here.

[MzNov]

52. I like the Central Coast

it's quite a hike tho to my job where I make enough to just live paycheck to paycheck on the Peninsula. :-)

Howya doing sweat pea? :hi:

[Ichingcarpenter]

57. Miss you.... I've got a spare bedroom too

and my dogs likes or tolerates cats. Check out SLO, high pay and a
strong legal community and jobs.

LOL!

[MzNov]

139. oh, now I'm blushing

:rofl:

:blush:

[EFerrari]

73. There are teh gays everywhere and they'll wreck your marriages

and I can give you teh communism myself without even trying!

Please save yourselves and stay away!

[pink-o]

171. Yeah, I agree. Stay away from California!

You'll never be able to afford a house, cuz even with the mortgage meltdown, houses in SF are still way too expensive for what you get. (actually true, no sarcasm emoticon here! But we who rent 2 sq feet for $1200 a month find it a small price to pay for the place we love.)

Portland, OR, Ashville, NC, Athens, GA, or really any college town is very blue these days. Just cuz the Bay Area is the original azure area doesn't mean there aren't others just as beautiful. I would just miss the ocean, the fog and my family if I lived anywhere else right now!

[Beregond2]

30. Sweden.

[Arugula Latte]

31. I live in Portland and we love it...I also love Berkeley, but Cali. is expensive.

[King Coal]

32. Silverton Colorado

[ihavenobias]

80. How close is that to Denver? We've been to Austin and Phoenix...

We actually considered Denver for a while, partly because the Mountains shield them from a lot of the bad weather (I know, not ALL of it by any stretch).

The thing is, we want something warmer and sunnier than Chicago with a reasonable cost of living. Denver technically fits that bill. But while the high temps are better (especially in the winter, temps are on average 10 degrees or more higher which is huge, not to mention the sun) the low temps are actually worse.

It seems like Denver is very mild during the day but that it gets very, very cold at night/in the morning. Even in the summer it gets chilly in the evening. Don't get me wrong, I like cool temps for sleeping and saving money on AC, but still.

We visited Austin in May during a heatwave and we really liked it. But a May heatwave is still not a July heatwave. Plus those Palmetto bugs are pretty gross.

We visited Phoenix/Tempe AZ two Januaries ago and it was nice, but Austin seemed like it had a lot more going on. Plus the sprawl in AZ is pretty bad.

[King Coal]

81. It is quite far from Denver, probalby 350 miles, and the climate is severe in the winter.

It is at 9000 feet, and gets a lot of snow. But it is a beautiful place. I lived there a couple of years and spent a lot of time there as a kid. I am from Durango, and we had relatives there. My wife and I lived there and around there when we were first married. Good Democrats abide there.

[ihavenobias]

119. So you're bing on winter activities then?

See, we're not. I mean, skying here and there, and maybe sledding, but that's about it. Overall we prefer the options provided by milder climates.

It sounds like you also don't mind shoveling and defrosting? :)

[King Coal]

162. It is a different lifestyle. You have to plan ahead for winter. Yeah, I like to ski. And snowshoe.

[Condem]

33. Iowa City , Iowa

A liberal oasis in a sea of corn. Been here for 15 years. Nothing but us LIBERALS!

[cyberswede]

108. Seconded!

Great town! I've been here since 1970, and I don't even KNOW any Republicans! (except one wayward brother...) :)

[Peacetrain]

The Peoples Republic of Johnson County

Absolutely great area for Democrats

:applause:

[sixmile]

37. Miami Beach

A fantastic place to live. Period.

[RebelOne]

101. No way. I lived there for many years when I was a child.

Then lived in Miami, Hialeah, Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens. All of South Florida sucks. I finally wised up and moved to North Georgia in 1989. It may be a red area where I live, but it doesn't suck like the hell hole of the South.

[ladym55]

38. I'm noticing a trend here

Umm, do you notice how many GOOD places for Democrats to live also house LARGE, quality universities ... gosh, should I draw the conclusion that Democrats just are a tat more educated than Republicans???

Just askin'.

[sixmile]

47. We tend to congregate around large bodies of water, too

Quick escape???

[Arugula Latte]

74. Damn, you know it . I can't stand being landlocked.

[Starry Messenger]

77. +1

:)

[mnhtnbb]

93. University towns are the best places to live.

unless they are fundie religious affiliated.

[PVnRT]

135. Many also seem very expensive and crowded

Major turnoffs for some here, including me.

[Tallison]

159. That's because anyone with a grasp of social science research

realizes progressive is the only conscionable way to go.

[babydollhead]

42. in the moment.

[louis c]

44. Boston

no doubt about.

Massachusetts doesn't have a single Republican congressman, US Senator or statewide office holder. Dems control both houses with 80% of the seats.

Are you kidding, you have a better chance finding a leprechaun here than a Republican.

[Sebass1271]

58. Really??? so how's

the economy in the state? Schools? Health insurance? Would LOVE to hear more about this State..!!
and Democrats here...

[louis c]

86. The city is in pretty good shape.

I live in an abutting suburb, and the standard of living is very good, considering the countries in a depression created by 8 years of Republican rule.

[wvbygod]

106. Repulicans were running Mass?

>Massachusetts doesn't have a single Republican congressman, US Senator or statewide office holder. Dems control both houses with 80% of the seats.

I know Mitt was gov for a while but with 80% of the rest being Dems how did one repub
cause such a big depression? The Dems could handle any veto with those numbers.

How are the tax rates and cost of living there?

[louis c]

130. The depression in National

Since Massachusetts is still part of the United States, it seems to have a little effect on us here, too.

[Breeze54]

168. Huh? Mass has MANY that are out of work and Childhood poverty increasing in Mass!!

Childhood poverty increasing in Mass

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/09/17/childhood_poverty_increasing_in_mass/

Census data show 182,000 living in need

By David Abel
Globe Staff / September 17, 2008

The number of children in the state living in poverty is increasing, pushing Massachusetts lower in the ranking of states with children in need, according to a new report.

The report, released yesterday by Massachusetts Citizens for Children, highlights new data from the US Census Bureau that show 182,000 children, 13 percent of all children under age 18 in Massachusetts, lived below the federal poverty line last year, 4,000 more than in 2006.

The state last year ranked 11th in the percentage of children living in poverty, below Alaska, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, Hawaii, Minnesota, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. In 2006, Massachusetts ranked fifth.

"These 182,000 children would form an unbroken line the entire length of the 138-mile Massachusetts Turnpike," said Jetta Bernier, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Children.

"A legislator driving on the Mass. Pike from his or her district to the State House would pass by a child who is poor every four feet, or 1,300 children every mile."

Even worse, in a state with one of the nation's highest median family incomes (about $60,000 in 2006), about 87,000 children lived in extreme poverty, or families of four earning less than $10,600 a year.

Bernier said that Massachusetts has the third widest divide between the rich and poor in the nation and that the divide is growing at the fourth fastest rate.

"The chasm is threatening to undermine our state's bright future," she said.

The report suggested that the Census Bureau focus on the federal poverty line, in effect, conceals the true number of people living in poverty.

The federal poverty level - about $20,000 for a family of four - uses a decades-old formula that doesn't take into account the rapid increase in the costs of housing, transportation, education, and fuels, among other things.

The report also noted how children of color are much more likely to live in poverty.

The percentage of the state's Latino children living in poverty last year jumped to 40 percent, up 4 percent from the year before.

At the same time, 28 percent of black children lived in poverty, down 1 percent from 2006.

About 7 percent of white children lived in poverty, the same as the year before.

The report linked the rising poverty rates to healthcare problems, unemployment, high school dropouts, teen pregnancies, crime, and prison costs.

More....

[cleveramerican]

120. I second the Boston vote!

suburban Boston is a great place to live.

[Breeze54]

167. This is the Massachusetts Republican Caucus ....

Senator Tisei
Senator Tarr
Senator Hedlund
Senator Brown
Senator Knapik

----------

List of Senate Members of the 185th General Court

http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenus.htm

(2007-2008)

March 18, 2008

35 Democrats • 5 Republicans

[Sisaruus]

45. Pick any one of the Scandinavian countries

I'm leaning towards Finland since I've got family there.

[tilsammans]

56. Me too!

And in Sweden as well.

(That is, if they'll have us. They think we 'murkins iz nutzo.)

[Celeborn Skywalker]

50. Most cities are decent.

Most of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are OK.

[NutmegYankee]

53. New England!

Lots of great cities to choose from, or small towns and pretty countryside. Even the swamp Yankees are tame compared to rednecks down south.

[tritsofme]

54. A young person looking for an exciting place to live couldn't get better than Chicago's North Side.

nt

[dana_b]

68. outside of home (San Francisco), this is where I'd live. n/t

[tritsofme]

172. I can't believe I'm the only one who said Chicago.

The city is packed with young progressives, and you have the chance to live in a world class city.

[goodgd_yall]

181. I visited Chicago twice

and I was really impressed. I was living in San Francisco at the time. I was surprised that I didn't hear more positive things about Chicago. Just so you know, here's someone else who appreciates that city.

[ladjf]

60. I'm looking for a state that has a Democratic majority, the fewest

religious fundies and no death penalty.

[annarbor]

84. Ann Arbor, Michigan...Home of the University of Michigan

-Low crime rate
-low unemployment
-Tons of great schools (and a couple of nice universities)
-Great pubs and restaurants
-Strong liberal community
-Great weather if you like all four seasons
-University of Michigan Medical Center is one of the nation's best
-Great sports town if you like football, basketball and Red Wing's Hockey.


Ann Arbor-

[ladjf]

87. I'm a graduate of the U of M. and I liked Ann Arbor.

However, currently Michigan is favoring McCain in this election. That disappointed me a great deal.
I wouldn't have thought that Michigan could have supported such an awful political ticket.

[marmar]

96. Michigan is not favoring McCain in the election. It's close, but Obama leads.....

I don't know where you're getting your misinformation.

[annarbor]

111. Thank you-

I've not seen one single, solitary, poll that shows McCain leading in Michigan. And after McCain made the comment about how "Fundamentally Sound" the economy was after the DOW tanked, I'm guessing interest in McCain is dwindling even more....the dude needs to understand the economy if he's to impress the folks here in Michigan.

Michigan has its problems, but Ann Arbor isn't one of them.

Ann Arbor-

[ladjf]

140. I heard on TV yesterday that the Republicans were slightly

ahead in Michigan. I hope that it was misinformation.

[Lefty48197]

176. I don't want to be overly optimistic, but Michigan is a LOCK for the Democratic ticket.

A LOCK.

[amandabeech]

182. Another vote for Ann Arbor!

Got my A.B. there and loved every minute of it! Did some hacking around in local politics, too.

It has a four season climate, but the winters aren't too severe. Spring and fall are terrific.

In the summer, it's really not that far from some terrific beaches on Lake Michigan.

[annarbor]

184. Thanks for the reassurance, Lefty...

By the way,
Greetings from Ypsi Twp!

Ann Arbor

[debbierlus]

179. Western MA. The Berkshires or Pioneer Valley. It is BEAUTIFUL

[the_realist]

62. San Francisco

By a mile...

[EFerrari]

75. Ssssshhh!

[NuttyFluffers]

95. that and the latte and fog goes to your brain, beware! head for the hills!

no, not our hills -- some other hills! go, go, run! before we raise your housing costs, too! run!

[codjh9]

63. Madison, Portland (OR), Austin, Santa Fe, Boulder, Berkeley, pretty much most of New England,

the West Coast ( a lot of it, anyway), northern NM, much of NY... hey, just look at the election stats.

[GreenPartyVoter]

64. Depends on what you are looking for. How strong does the

local economy have to be? What kind of weather do you prefer?

I'd recommend my lovely home state of Maine, but the economy isn't great at the moment and the weather can be darned cold for several months of the year. But if you move into the right area you'd find lots of liberals to keep you company. :D

[Kerrytravelers]

65. The San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles is very liberal in most areas.

My area (I won't say the name of my town online, but it is a very famous Los Angeles enclave) is one of the most liberal in Los Angeles. I think we have some republicans... maybe. But they sure don't advertise their insane politics. Our mayor, all of our representatives and 5 of 6 city council members are all liberal. The one city council member that isn't liberal is a RINO and usually backs the majority opinion.


One way to check an area is the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Partisan_Voting_Index

[progressivebydesign]

170. Having spent time in Pacific Palisades in LA, it's quite blue! But quite $$$$. love it tho! n/t

[tomnjoy]

66. I'm partial to Minneapolis/St. Paul

Of course I'm a Minnesota girl, born and raised, so I'm a teensy bit biased. :)

[chelaque liberal]

123. St. Paul didn't feel too hospitable a couple of weeks ago.

I grew up there and am embarrassed by the police behavior.

[protect our future]

148. I love your twin cities, tomnjoy!

I was there on business some years ago and always wanted to come back.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

194. I was shocked the pukes took over your city (ies) last month!!!

It was almost as shocking as if they had infested Madison! They NEVER come here!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

199. I agree: We're an extremely blue area

In 2004, Kerry took all the precincts in Minneapolis, except for one that is the location of a fundamentalist Bible college.

The survivors of our last mayoral primary were two Democrats, and a Green came in third.'

Police behavior during the RNC was a shock.

Now here's a great mystery. Why does such a blue city have such a bad public transit system?

[upi402]

67. offshore

[provis99]

69. Bloomington, Indiana

lovely liberal town; the university students are more conservative than the townies, which tells you how liberal the town is. It is a blue oasis in a red state.

[Barack_America]

71. Philly's definitely a Democratic oasis.

Depends on what kind of vibe you're going for. Ann Arbor's great as well, but you're surrounded by ass clowns there. And it's relatively small. Philly is big and the surrounding areas are pretty blue too.

[leftofthedial]

78. the past

fascism is the future

[KillCapitalism]

79. Athens, GA

UGA campus is there & it's a liberal island in a red sea.

[eshfemme]

82. NEW YORK CITY!

Sorry, as a New Yorker, that'll always be my answer to where's the best place to live. Nothing will sway me from my belief that NYC is the best city in the world. You get a small town neighborhood feeling while having the city right at your fingertips. And NYC is the liberal stronghold that greatly offsets the much more conservative upstate NY. What better place for a Democrat?

[27inCali]

83. San Francisco Bay ...

...only like the fucking epicenter of modern Liberalism in America. Racially really integrated, especially with young people, lots of social programs, lots of community activities and togetherness, lots of outreach to the less fortunate.

San Francisco or Berkeley is kind of a tie as to which is more Liberal. But people are super friendly in both.
People's attitudes out here are just way enlightened compared to other areas of California that are only an hr or so drive away.

Despite how much the Repugs like to demonize it, I find the Hollywood area to have a lot less of the that Liberal enlightened vibe and lot more Repugs than you'd ever think if you are from another part of the country. A lot of the Liberal stereotype comes from the entertainers who don't even really live in the LA area, but maybe rent or own a condo in Hollywood for when they have to be there to work or appear at events. The truth is, to live there in anything more than a shitty apartment, you have to be loaded, and it's not like the rich are big on paying more taxes or voting for people who would raise those taxes.
Even among the broke 20 something kids in Hollywood, everyone is ambitious and trying to get their's, and most could give a fuck about politics because they are too busy trying to become famous one way or another.

[Tesha]

88. Vancouver, BC. But housing prices there are rising as the 2010 Olympics come up. (NT)

[symbolman]

89. Maui No Ka Oi

I'll spare you the details, use your imagination :)

[cali]

90. It all depends what you're looking for: Urban? Suburban? Rural?

Lots of good suggestions in this thread. I live in Vermont, and it's probably the most progressive state in the country, but it's surely not for everyone. No cities, tough winters, etc.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

91. I have constant daydreams about moving to Vermont.

I actually look at houses on Craigslist all the time. But since I have no actual knowledge of the state, it's hard for me to focus on a particular area.

I think a general rule in any state, is take a look at the college towns and cities first. They usually are pretty diverse, have a good mix of age ranges, and most importantly, good restaurants.:D

[Tesha]

113. Focus on Brattleboro (in the Southeast of the state) or Burlington (in the Northwest).

The rest of the state ranges from hit-or-miss politically to downright
redneck. Cali forgot to mention that ever since Howard Dean got civil
unions passed in VT, they've had Republican governors.

Tesha

[cali]

122. LOL! Let's look at my post, tesha- which the poster wasn't even responding to

Here's what I wrote:

It all depends what you're looking for: Urban? Suburban? Rural?
Lots of good suggestions in this thread. I live in Vermont, and it's probably the most progressive state in the country, but it's surely not for everyone. No cities, tough winters, etc.

Why on earth should I provide a disclaimer that we have a repuke governor? And btw, dear, he's the only guv we've had since Dean.

My post couldn't have been more innocuous. It wasn't even particularly bragging up Vermont, which let's face it compared to your state of NH, well, let's just say Vermont is progressive and NH is purple. Even with a repuke gov we're about a hundred times more progressive than your home sweet home.

[Tesha]

144. A truly progressive state wouldn't elect and then RE-ELECT a Republican governor.

And especially on the back of his anti-gay attitudes and Religious
Right friends.

---

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Douglas

Governor of Vermont

In the 2002 gubernatorial election to succeed five-term Governor Howard Dean,
Douglas defeated Democratic Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine, 45 to 42 percent.
He had then written his novel about the reelection 'Don't sweat the small Stuff'
which had gotten three awards in achievement for best writing from politicians
and was awarded best in class legislator writing. Douglas does still write about
his achievements as he goes through his term. The Vermont constitution requires
that the state legislature select the governor if no candidate receives over 50% of
the votes. Because neither candidate won 50% of the vote, Douglas was officially
selected by the legislature as required by the state constitution.

Douglas won reelection to a second two-year term in 2004, defeating Democrat
Peter Clavelle, 59 to 38 percent.

---

Peter Clavelle, the loser, is, of course, an actual Progressive with a capital "P".

Tesha

[cali]

155. LOL! You know jackshit about progressive politics in Vermont

go ahead, dearie. Write an OP about how VT isn't really progressive. Get laughed off the board.

Oh, and Douglas sucks but he's not a hardcore wingnut. He's a dull little man, and sorry he supports civil unions. The reason he's been re-elected is because he's such a milquetoast. And Clavelle ran a terrible campaign, just as Gaye is now.

And yeah, NH is no where near as progressive as Vermont. Shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath. Just as MASS was a progressive state even though they had Romney as Guv, Vermont is still a progressive state even though Douglas is Guv.

[Tesha]

161. And you have never managed to keep a civil tongue in your mouth when challenged.

"Dearie" is your typical attempt at demeaning a perceived opponent.

And who mentioned New Hampshire? Nice straw person.

Enjoy your attitude of superiority.

Tesha

[mnhtnbb]

92. Chapel Hill or Carrboro, NC

We moved to Chapel Hill in 2000, after spending 12 years in St. Joseph, MO and Lincoln, NE.
I lOVE Chapel Hill.

I was born in NY (source of mnhtnbb), grew up in Chatham, NJ, graduated high school La Jolla, CA.
Lived in Los Angeles area (Westwood, Studio City, Woodland Hills, Santa Monica)for 19 years.

Chapel Hill is my favorite place I've ever lived.

[NuttyFluffers]

97. y'know, if i said Cheyenne, Wyoming, could we get critical mass to take it over?

it'd be a kicker to convert Cheney's state into a one where he's persona non grata. maybe we could save the wolves and let them wander freely beyond Yellowstone 'n stuff, too. :P

anyone believe me? wanna move their family? c'mon, do it for democracy! pretty please! i can't move, i got this like... allergy to the outdoors 'n all. i burst out into hives and hysterics at the thought of dirt, mud, and wide open spaces.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

197. Wyoming definitely needs our help!

Even Laramie is in the dark - only college town I've ever been in where the college kids are right wingers!! Now I know that is a generalization, but I was in conversation with a group of smart, hip looking students at the Buckhorn (love that wild place) and I assumed we shared similar political views on basic issues such as global warming, and was shocked by the RW rhetoric that came from their mouths. I am not used to that. These particular kids had been born and raised in WY though...old habits die hard I guess, but you'd think they would have experienced SOME enlightenment at their university. Wonder what the professors teach there?

[rucky]

99. Albuquerque

[phusion]

127. I don't know...

it can get kind of ugly here sometimes...There are pockets of liberals around the U but I try to avoid other parts of the city.

[raccoon]

100. Upstate SC.

OK, I'm lying. So sue me. But we need all the "blue" folks we can get.

And the cost of living is relatively low.

[distantearlywarning]

102. Pittsburgh, PA

Extremely blue within the city limits (80% +), a good mix of blue-collar unionists and liberal latte types, city hasn't voted for anybody Republican for anything since about 1925.

Very pretty city, trying to clean up its industrial image and succeeding, working on instituting green technology everwhere, lots of cultural activities for a city of its size, highly educated populace, good public transportation, lots of inexpensive pre-war housing stock (i.e., not cookie-cutter at all unless you go to the suburbs), within easy driving distance of several major interesting cities (NY, DC, Toronto, Boston) & we are on the Amtrack line.

Very low cost-of-living and our housing prices have been rising instead of falling over the last two years, so a house (in the right neighborhoods) here is a great buy right now!

[Obamarulz11]

110. I love the recommendations

Ill narrow it down. I want to move out of the "Bible Belt"(Georgia) real bad. I want to get away from rednecks, conservatives, humidity, and rebel flags.

I like great weather, progressive thinkers, strong economy, and blue..,

No more NASCAR on FM radio and the front pages of the AJC, No religious programs broadcasted on a daily basis, very little racism, and friendly people.

[chelaque liberal]

124. I'm so with you. I live in GA and don't even want to go to public

places because I can't take the hate-filled conversations I over-hear.

[DumptyHumpty]

112. You should live in a red state.

How else then do we not take those places over? It will hurt at first, but just remember that every town has a starbucks and McDonalds...lol

Infiltrate the red states!

I live here in Cincinnati. yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[devilgrrl]

114. West Hollywood, CA and Los Angeles in general

:-)

[DumptyHumpty]

115. Then why are their so many homeless there?

La treats them worse then here in Cincinnati.

[devilgrrl]

132. Uh... What's homelessness got to do with the question in the OP?

Huh? Bozo? :eyes:

[Tesha]

146. Homelessness has a large impact on the quality of life for people who want to walk a city.

It's a big part of the reason why I resists Mr. Tesha's entreaties to
move to San Francisco.

Tesha

[devilgrrl]

151. Again, what does that have to do with the OP?

Jesus H. Christ! :eyes:

[Tesha]

160. WHat part of "best places to live" did you not understand?

Or do you view the question purely in terms of politics? That,
in my opinion, is painfully naïve.

Tesha

[devilgrrl]

163. "best places to live for Democrats"

Idiot!

[Tesha]

185. Even Democrats have to just-plain-live.

And life is tough when you're tripping over homeless people
every ten feet along (say) Market Street.

I'm honestly quite surprised at your vitriolic response; you
seem to have a lot of invective to through around, but no
actual willingness to support your point of view with factual
arguments.

Tesha

[a la izquierda]

149. The homeless are treated well in Santa Monica and in

other parts of L.A. Just not downtown.

[Peacetrain]

116. Iowa!!! Especially the eastern part of the state

I live in the northwest corner, and it is much more of a reddish area, but even this is going bluer. Now if we can unseat Steve King, than anywhere in Iowa.

[Peacetrain]

117. Duplicate post

Finger hiccups sorry about that

[Kalyke]

118. Out of the country...

No, seriously. I think Democrats should move into the red states in droves.

We're already so close that some "red" states are actually purple. We would benefit from having some more "blue" voters who could push our nearly half margin - 48 percent in some "red" states - over the edge, turning a former red state into blue.

[Bluenorthwest]

121. Best places to live for a Democrat?

The White House and Number One Observatory Circle.

[chelaque liberal]

125. Best answer yet!

[ThatsMyBarack]

126. Oak Park, IL

;)

[WA98296]

129. The great Pacific Northwest!

[Kazak]

131. Swing states!! Where your vote can be put to use...

Ohio, Florida, New Mexico, ect...

[protect our future]

145. Missouri -- Kansas City or Columbia

But it's the rural areas that need Democratic help.

[Samurai_Writer]

133. Boulder, Colorado

Nicknames -- The People's Republic of Boulder and the San Francisco of the Rockies.

Great progressive town. Pricey, though.

[chaska]

136. Here ya go. Don't miss this.

http://www.hardiehouse.org/arcata/utne/towns.html

[rndmprsn]

137. Baltimore MD, deep blue city in a blue state

and DAMN proud of it Hon!

[Tallison]

158. I love Baltimore

Grew up in DC, and I always found Baltimore funkier and more interesting. Great architecture, and just a cool, slightly eccentric, working-class vibe. Baltimore gets a bad rap.

ETA: I still find some of the best antique deals in the mid-Atlantic there.

[jpljr77]

138. Takoma Park, MD, just across the border from DC

Awesome place. Actually, nearly all of Montgomery County, MD is great. As is DC. Just avoid the temptation to move to Northern Virginia if you're looking at the area.

A snippet from Wikipedia:

Takoma Park is known as an extremely liberal community, sometimes called "the Berkeley of the East" <1>, <2> or "The People's Republic of Takoma Park." The City Council voted unanimously in 1983 to become a nuclear free zone. As a result, no city purchases or investments can be carried out with entities that make nuclear weapons, components or delivery systems. In accordance with the city's principles, Takoma Park allows non-U.S.-citizen residents to vote in their own municipal elections. The city was also forbidden, by statute, from doing business with any entity having commercial ties with the government of Burma (Myanmar) <3>, though after a United States Supreme Court decision struck down a similar Massachusetts provision, enforcement of the provision was suspended in the year 2000. As of 2007, the Free Burma Committee is inactive.<4> Takoma Park is also forbidden from purchasing any World Bank financial instruments. In addition, residents must obtain a permit to cut down any tree on their property measuring more than 8 inches in diameter. On July 23, 2007 Takoma Park joined 80 other jurisdictions when its city council adopted a resolution to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney.

[Dukkha]

141. The international space station

the only place that won't get polluted by them, but you do have Russians for roommates though.

[aikoaiko]

142. Vermont would be high on my list of preferences.

Finland, after that.,

[Ganja Ninja]

150. Mine too.

Any place that voted to arrest Bush & Cheney has got to be OK.

[peanut2010]

152. I would like to find a good place for a dem to live

I live in a terrible place for democrats,it is southeast KY.It feel like about 98 percent of the people are repukes.The city I live near is called Barbourville nicknamed welfare city.The funny thing is that most jobs here are blue collar and most people live on government assistance these are the very things repugs hate with a passion.BTW there are more churches than good paying jobs as most only pay minimum wage.

[countryjake]

153. If you really want change?...live in the middle of a sea of red!

Learn to communicate, then learn to care and influence, and turn the damned place blue!

What the hell happened to Sen. Obama's "We are ONE America!"

[Vanje]

166. There may be something to that

I'm an out lesbian living in the reddest county of the reddest state.
Its actually exhilarating, on a good day.
I'm the only liberal many of my neighbors have ever met. They seem surprised that I dont want to outlaw Christmas or take away their guns.

My county is chiefly unpeopled sagebrush deserts and arid mountains and canyons, and the worlds best sunsets.
The way it smells right before rain will bring you to your knees.



If Rural Idaho isnt your cup, try Lopez Island, Washington. Its a soft breezy green Paradise , free from mean things, or things with stingers, prickles, or venom.

[lynettebro440]

164. Iowa City, Iowa

The starting place where they put Obama on his current course.

[progressivebydesign]

169. Seattle and other areas near the Puget Sound, Portland is great, too.

Having lived there and on the Central Coast of California -- I'd say that the Seattle area is great for Dems! Now, I know some suggest Santa Cruz, SLO, and such, but unless you can afford a house with a median price of 700k (that is AFTER this housing meltdown!), then you might consider Seattle or Portland.

Cheaper to live there than many other Dem-friendly areas.

I think of the Seattle area as Marin County in a lot of ways, but the houses are cheaper and the skies are grayer. People seem very tolerant of each others ideas, there, too.

[BlueStateGirl]

173. Philadelphia. Very Democratic city. I am alway shocked when I

encounter a republican.

[Lefty48197]

175. Ann Arbor, Michigan

It's a sea of pro-Democrat/Anti-Republican yard signs. Truly a sight to behold.

[goodgd_yall]

177. Coastal areas of California and Sacramento n/t

[debbierlus]

178. Western MA

[old mark]

188. Italy seems nice. nt

[Juche]

189. Bloomington, Indiana

Having grown up in small town Indiana I was surprised how a progressive city was just sitting in the middle of all the red counties when I went there for college.

The only problem with Bloomington is that half the city is people who are 18-25 years old. There are about 75k people and about 35k are students. Its cool if you are young, but when you start being 30 or 40 it sucks that half the city is half your age. Makes it hard to date too.

Aside from that though I loved the culture there and would've stayed there if I were able to find a job.

I am currently looking at Madison, WI. According to 'whose your city' it is not only progressive, but affordable.