Everyone deserves to live in a good place. It’s just basic human decency, and we should all be looking for the best places to live. But it can be hard to find what you want if you don’t know where or how to look. That’s why I created this list of the top 10 best places in America for LGBT people.
These are places where there is lots of diversity and acceptance, which means that no matter who you love or what your gender identity is, you will feel at home here. Whether it’s a small town filled with kind neighbors or one bustling city filled with social opportunities, these are the spots that offer something for everyone. Take a look below and see if any of them sound like they’d be a good place for you. Maybe you just found your next home.
1. Cambridge, MA
The top of the list has to go to my city, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Not only is it very accepting of LGBT people, but it’s also super-duper gay (in the non-literal sense). There are gay bars, LGBT bookstores, and all kinds of events.
If you’re not familiar with Cambridge, it’s one of the biggest colleges towns in the USA which means there is also a big population of young people who pride themselves on being fun and fabulous. There are few better places to be LGBT than Cambridge.
2. Asbury Park, NJ
The Jersey Shore is generally known for its partying ways, but it isn’t all Spring Breaks and fist pumping here; there are also some pretty good LGBT communities. One of the best places to find one is Asbury Park, New Jersey (but not on Tuesday nights because it’s all techno). There are lots of gay bars, restaurants, and live music.
3. Atlanta, GA
There are so many different communities in Atlanta, Georgia that anyone could find one to call home. There’s the hipster community along Boulevard East or even a small lesbian community on Oakview Road. You can also check out the LGBT community on Piedmont Avenue.
The best part about Atlanta is that no matter where you are, it’s less than 20 minutes away from some kind of LGBT resource. There are more “gaycations” to this city than any other place in America.
4. Seattle, WA
Seattle is another super-duper gay city that not only has a ton of gay bars, but also lots of LGBT restaurants and art galleries. There are so many options for this community to have fun together.
The culture of Seattle is also very accepting, so it doesn’t matter what your gender identity or sexuality is, you will fit right in.
5. New York City, NY
New York is a great place to be LGBT for so many reasons. There are more gay bars here than any other city in America, and they’re always busy. In addition to the bars, there is also a big community of LGBT people on Christopher Street and an even bigger one on West Street. But you don’t have to stop your search for a community when the sun comes up because there are huge LGBT communities in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, and Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan.
6. San Francisco, CA
The epicenter of all things gay is in The Castro District in San Francisco, California. This is the first place anyone thinks of when they think about LGBT communities, and it lives up to all the hype.
The Castro District not only has over 100 gay bars, but there are also more lesbian bars here than any other city in America. Are you surprised that this is on my list of the top 10 best places to be LGBT?
7. Key West, FL
Key West is one of the places in America where you can be as gay as you want and no one will care (just not on Tuesdays at The Blue Macaw). There are a lot of gay bars and even queer cruises that set off from this island city.
8. Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale is another city with a lot of gay bars and restaurants (just not on weekends at Aqua). There are also lots of opportunities to meet LGBT people here. If you want to do that without leaving your home, try online dating sites like Date Out Zone or Mate1.com.
9. Louisville, KY
The city of Louisville in Kentucky has a lot going for it. It has not only one but two LGBT communities that are close to each other and busy all the time. There’s The Bardstown Road Community which runs from 9th Street to Baxter Avenue and hosts lots of popular events, and there’s also a community on Market Street which is home to a lot of gay friendly businesses.
10. Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, New York is the only city on this list not located in a coastal state. There are lots of gay bars here and also big communities on West Fayette Street and Park Avenue. The town might be lacking in LGBT friendly businesses, but it makes up for it with its accepting nature (just not on Wednesdays at La Casa).
Also consider WEHO (West Hollywood)
If you’re LGBT and looking to move somewhere, one of these 10 cities is probably a great choice. Have fun exploring what they have to offer and don’t forget to invite me to the wedding!