What do you think is best for a poor just coming out gay guy in his 30s trying to escape the things that come with street life. I am also more interested in older people than people my own age. Afaik there is no place for me.

I fully assume I’ll end up homeless but I have to leave.

I’m open to other areas too. Definitely away from north east/new England. Preferably away from East Coast… Preferably near the ocean or a good lake… I don’t want to be stuck in crime or around homophobes.

  • Zeusbottom@sh.itjust.works
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    6 months ago

    ABQ is not quite Wild West, but you do need to watch yourself there. Good farmers’ market and plenty of Native influence.

    Columbus downtown seemed like a nice Midwestern spot, touch of Rust Belt, heavy on Buckeye mania of course. Seemed really quiet when I visited many summers ago.

    Have you considered Chicago? Boystown is a great neighborhood. Kinda wished I’d lived there even though I’m not LGBTQ. I think it’s still relatively low crime. But I’m sure you’ll want to do (or have done) your own homework on that.

    • ULS@lemmy.mlOP
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      6 months ago

      I kinda of thought about Chicago. I’m trying to stay away from the bigger cities for now. Even Cleveland OH.

      • funkforager@sh.itjust.works
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        6 months ago

        Columbus is a bigger population than Cleveland. It’s kind of the bigger city these days.

        I was going to say that if you want a lake then you want Cleveland, not Columbus. Also there is an inner suburb of Cleveland called Lakewood you should check out. It has a great LGBTQ+ scene (for a smaller city) and is super welcoming in that friendly midwestern way.

  • Plastic pigeon@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Sounds less like a positive move and more like a run from problems.

    You will find the same problems in the next region, if you live there long enough.

    Speaking from someone who has been in 13 schools and moved even more than that.

  • FriendOfElphaba@sh.itjust.works
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    6 months ago

    It really seems like you might have bigger issues than deciding between Albuquerque and Columbus. I can tell you about ABQ, but maybe you can give some more details about what’s pushing you to move, and why you’d look at those two cities in particular.

      • FriendOfElphaba@sh.itjust.works
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        6 months ago

        I’d feel like you could get better advice if you give more details, and maybe ask about LGBT friendly cities in some of the LGBT communities.

        ABQ isn’t bad, but it’s not homeless friendly, and it gets cold in the winter. You could live outside of Albuquerque in the east mountains for relatively cheap but would need a vehicle to get into town.

        But seriously, there’s more going on there that I think you might be able to use advice on.

  • Telodzrum@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Columbus is basically the only cool city in all of Ohio and Albuquerque is a dangerous shithole. Between these two, Columbus is the far better option.

    • joelectron@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      What’s your definition of “cool city?” I’m biased since I live there, but I’d say that Cleveland seems much cooler to me: ethnic neighborhoods/food, public transportation, lower CoL, vibrant queer communities, being on Lake Erie, and more.