It’s possible to find the ideal home at the ideal price but quite often it ends up being far out in the suburbs and away from the downtown core where the center of the LGBT community happens to congregate and celebrate life in general.  If you want to be “where the action is” then you might want consider living downtown, but the problem is that in many U.S. housing markets homes in the downtown core can be two to five times more expensive than those at the fringe of the city.  It is for this very reason that many gay individuals are opting to live in the peaceful, crime-free suburbs, nearer to a healthy natural setting rather than in a gritty downtown area where a condo the size of closet is more expensive than a four bedroom two-story suburban home.

Commuters on the subway in NYC
Commuters on the subway in NYC

However, as appealing as it is to live just outside the city and commute downtown to work or play it is important to consider whether or not traveling twice a day really suits you and whether or not you have alternatives when it comes to traveling back and forth.  The best “bedroom communities” (as commuter communities are often called) are those that are connected to the city through buses, trains or light rail so that you are not always dependent on traveling in a car through heavy traffic.  Many cities also now have bike trails that lead cyclists in and out of the city. In short, the more options you have to travel, the happier you will be as a commuter. If you enjoy riding on trains then you’ll definitely enjoy a day out on the Old West Trains.

Yet another thing to consider is whether or not the community you are planning to move to has any kind of cultural factor or walkability to it.  Some suburban areas are quite cold and lost in strip malls and cloverleaf exchanges while others are more like charming small towns in themselves complete with main streets, cafes and community centers. To alleviate the boredom factor that is sometimes associated with suburban living it is a good idea to try and find a suburban community that is a bit developed and that is neighborly when it comes to LGBTQ individuals and couples. Consulting with a gay realtor who knows the city you are buying a home in well is highly recommended as attitudes towards gay neighbors can drastically vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.

If you are single, have a naturally vibrant lifestyle or are an activist it might be beneficial to you to live downtown. The extra cost may also be worth it to you in the long run as the value of property escalates in the inner city.  The money you save on gas and other commuting costs could be justified as the expense you put into investing in property downtown.  On the other hand if you are athletic, love nature or are part of a couple or a gay couple with a child you might want to move to the suburbs where the big parks, hiking trails and great school programs happen to be located.

Your best policy is to be as honest as possible with yourself when choosing where to live in a large city.  Sometimes the idea that you must isolate yourself from a downtown support system is not worth it in the long run if you crave the bright lights of the city and plenty of LGBTQ company.