We’ve all heard of the Castro District, Boystown, Chelsea, Dupont Circle, and many of the other established and popular gay neighborhoods. While these communities continue to thrive, a number of new LGBTQ neighborhoods have popped up over the years. Some come and go fairly quickly, but others are poised to become modern spaces that LGBTQ individuals and families will call home. Here are a few of these emerging LGBTQ communities.

The Marmalade

The Marmalade is a neighborhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, the home base of the decidedly anti-LGBTQ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, the city itself is surprisingly open and welcoming to those of all orientations. Same-sex marriage was actually legal here a year before the Supreme Court made it nation-wide. The city swore in an openly gay man as its mayor in 2016.

The Marmalade is home to various gay bars, clubs, and other businesses owned by members of the community. Housing here is quite affordable, and many young professionals are calling the neighborhood home. The Marmalade is quickly transforming into a hub for new businesses and those looking for comfortable, affordable homes.

Andersonville

While Chicago is known for its gay neighborhood of Boystown, that’s not the only LGBTQ community. Andersonville is situated on the north part of the city. Originally made up mostly of Swedish immigrants, today this neighborhood has many amazing restaurants and boutiques. It’s become more than just a great LGBTQ community—it’s known as one of the best in Chicago. One of the neighborhood’s strengths is that it doesn’t try to be Boystown or any other gay neighborhood. Instead, it has created a unique atmosphere all its own.

Bywater

In New Orleans, the French Quarter is the traditional gay neighborhood, but the Bywater District has recently emerged as a more affordable alternative. This area is home to many new businesses, an open-air market, and much more. It’s less of a tourist destination, too, so it’s usually much quieter. It’s home to the renowned Country Club, which allowed gay members to join back in 1977. This was one of the first places to allow openly LGBTQ members at the time, and today, it’s the center of the community.

If you’re looking for a great LGBTQ neighborhood but find some of the more established areas to be outside of your price range, you can always talk to a gay or lesbian real estate professional about homes in one of your city’s emerging gay ghettos. These new communities may have just what you’re looking for.

Few people think about going to the far Northeast for a summer getaway, but that’s exactly why many people visit Ogunquit, Maine. That weird name is from the Abenaki language, the indigenous people of the area, and translates to “beautiful place by the sea.” That certainly describes this small little town. It has a permanent population of less than 1,000 during the off season, but that number jumps during the summer.

History of Ogunquit

The area was settled by the Abenaki tribe of native Americans. In 1641, a number of European settlers arrived in the area and set up a village. Later, a sawmill and shipyard were built near the Ogunquit River. By the late 1890s, many artists had moved into the area, and it wasn’t unusual to see both fishermen at work while artists painted them. During this time, the area became a popular summer vacation destination, and it wasn’t long before the number of hotels outnumbered the fishing boats.

In 1980, Ogunquit officially separated from the city of Wells to become its own town. By this point, the town was a full-on tourist destination and was attracting people from as far away as Australia. People even started to come for other reasons than the beach. Horror fans who read Stephen King’s The Stand began visiting Ogunquit to see the places he mentioned in the book.

The LGBTQ Community

Around the mid-80s and 90s, the LGBTQ community became quite prominent in Ogunquit. There had always been a number of LGBTQ artists in the area, but during this time, the town become a major tourist destination. Many LGBTQ-owned restaurants, hotels, bars, and other businesses opened in Ogunquit, mostly in the old village area. The town’s tourism industry became even more prosperous, leading Ogunquit to being named America’s Best Coastal Small Town in USA Today’s 2016 Reader’s Choice issue.

The town has also started undergoing gentrification. Older parts of Ogunquit have been restored, and housing costs have increased because of this. The cost of living is significantly higher in some areas, especially housing, although the cost of other things, including groceries, healthcare, and even utilities, are around average for the country and below average for Maine.

If you’re able to handle these costs, though, Ogunquit is a great place to live. During the off season, it’s a very quiet town. However, it’s close enough to the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metro area that it’s not too far away from the amenities of a large city. You’ll find a number of gay and lesbian real estate agents who can help you find the perfect home in this little village.

Acceptance of LGBTQ individuals and families has increased in recent years, and while there are still certainly hate crimes and discrimination, the community is overall in a better place than it has ever been in the U.S. This acceptance has led to a great impact in a number of industries. For example, in the years since same-sex marriage was legalized, industries related to weddings have seen an increase in profits thanks to more LGBTQ partners marrying. This has also resulted in changes to the real estate industry.

A New Focus on Family

While marriage isn’t a requirement to have children, for many, it is the basis of a family. Being married also makes certain processes, including adoption, much easier. According to a survey conducted by Community Marketing & Insights, many LGBTQ couples do see marriage as the ultimate relationship goal, especially for those who want to have children.

What does this have to do with real estate? With more and more couples marrying and having children, more LGBTQ families will take school zones into consideration when deciding where to live. The survey showed that more couples with children, especially same-sex female couples, were gravitating towards the suburbs and cities. They want to make certain their children have the best education possible and make that a priority when choosing where to live.

Moving Up

With this focus on family comes the need for a larger residence. While LGBTQ couples did purchase homes prior to the same-sex marriage ruling in 2015, more and more couples have sought to become homeowners since then. Part of the reason didn’t purchase homes before was due to the fear of discrimination. They didn’t want to apply jointly for a mortgage because they weren’t certain if they would be discriminated against by the lender, but individually, neither made enough money to qualify for the mortgage.

Today, this is no longer the case. It’s become quite normal for same-sex couples to apply jointly, and it has become very clear that discrimination in housing is not acceptable. This means more homes are being sold to same-sex couples who are considering starting a family. Their needs have changed. Traditional gay neighborhoods are starting to disappear as these families seek out specific school districts or no longer prioritize living in specific parts of the city.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, you want to make certain you have the right experts on your side. Working with a gay or lesbian real estate professional can provide you with a wealth of benefits.

Many people think of Los Angeles as a welcoming place for everyone, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are parts of LA that are conservative and parts that are quite open and progressive. Silver Lake is one area that’s considered an LGBTQ haven. Founded in the 1900s, this community has served as home to Walt Disney’s first major studio, unique pedestrian staircases, and more.

When Did Silver Lake Become a Gay Ghetto?

Silver Lake didn’t start out as a gay village. In fact, during the 1950s and 60s, the community was home to many Latino citizens. They mostly commuted to downtown LA to work in the various manufacturing plants located there. However, the 70s saw these plants close due to outsourcing. As a result, Silver Lake fell into decay, and many of the more affluent homeowners left the area.

As they moved out, LGBTQ individuals and families moved in. As with many cities, LA had slowly pushed those they found “undesirable” to the more disreputable neighborhoods. Silver Lake became a hub for the gay leather subculture of LA. For a time, it was known as a location for public sex, but that changed in the 1990s. Gentrification began transforming the area, and today, Silver Lake is home to many boutiques, restaurants, and other shops. Home prices have risen, too, driving out some renters and making it difficult for others to buy property in the community.

The Mattachine Society and The Black Cat Tavern

While it didn’t become a full-fledged gay neighborhood until the 70s, the LGBTQ community has had a presence in Silver Lake since the 1930s. The gay organization Bachelors Anonymous, which later became the Mattachine Society, is considered the first organized gay group. Its founder lived in Silver Lake and often held meetings there.

Silver Lake made headlines in 1967 after police raided the Black Cat Tavern, a popular LGBTQ bar. Fourteen people were arrested, and brutal force was used. Six weeks later, community members held a protest, one of the first for LGBTQ rights. This happened two years before the Stonewall Riots. Some 25 years later, in 1992, LGBTQ activists marched down Sunset Boulevard in protest of violent acts perpetrated against gay men in the area.

Looking to Live in Silver Lake?

While the price of buying a home in Silver Lake has certainly increased, it’s worth it if you want to live in what many call the hippest neighborhood in LA. You can contact a gay or lesbian real estate professional to get the ball rolling.

Snowbirds is a term used for people who live most of the year in a northern climate, but then move to a warmer area for the harsh winter months. Many snowbirds own RVs and simply drive south when the temperature drops, while others may own a second home in a warmer state. If you’re a snowbird, and also a part of the LGBTQ community, never fear—there are plenty of welcoming places for you to go during the winter.

You might enjoy your snowbird location so much that you decide to move there permanently or to purchase a second home in the area. If that’s the case, you have a number of different factors to consider.

Snowbirding to Florida

Many people on the East Coast spend the winter in Florida. This is an excellent location for LGBTQ snowbirds. St. Petersburg is considered both a very welcoming city and a great place to escape the winter. It’s very affordable, has a lot to offer, and isn’t far from the beach. For those who really love the big city, Orlando is another good destination, although it tends to be more expensive due to the high number of tourists. Lake Worth is known for its large LGBTQ community, as is South Tampa.

Options on the West Coast

On the other hand, you may want to spend some time in California. The golden beaches of this state are well-loved by snowbirds, but you do need to keep the climate in mind. San Francisco may seem like the natural place for LGBTQ snowbirds to travel to, but the rain and the proximity to the ocean do keep the temperatures in the 50s or lower during December and January.

Instead, try going inland a bit. Anaheim is popular since Disneyland and other attractions are located there. It’s also not far from the warmer beaches of southern California.

Other Locations

Snowbirds are often attracted to locations in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Of course, not all of these locations are known for their welcoming attitudes. You can do your research and learn more about specific locations before you travel there. If you’re in an RV, of course, you can always simply load up and drive somewhere else if you decide you don’t like where you are!

Once you do find the perfect place to escape the cold, you may want to look for a more permanent option than an RV. You’ll find many gay and lesbian real estate professionals are ready to help you purchase a second home or make the move to a warmer climate.

Are you thinking about looking for houses? If you’re ready to buy a home, especially if it’s your first home, the process may appear a little daunting. Fortunately, there are a few different things you can do as an LGBTQ couple to make the process easier.

Decide on How You’ll Apply for a Mortgage

Thanks to the supreme court, same-sex marriage is now legal across the country. If you’re married, it’s natural that you will apply jointly. If you’re not, though, you need to decide if one of you will apply as an individual or if you’ll apply jointly. There are some pros and cons to both. In most cases, it depends on your credit.

If one of you has excellent credit and few debts while the other has a lower credit score and more debt, it may make sense for the person with the better credit to apply as an individual. It is even possible for a married person to apply for a mortgage without their spouse. You’ll want to look at both incomes, credit history, debts, and other factors to determine how you want to apply.

Do You want to Work with a Gay or Lesbian Real Estate Expert?

You may feel more comfortable working with an LGBTQ real estate agent, especially if you’re planning on moving into a gay neighborhood. Even if your agent doesn’t identify as a member of the community, you want to make certain that they treat you fairly. While housing discrimination may not be common, it does occur. Your agent should treat you no differently than any other client, and if you suspect they are, you can file a complaint with their agency.

Whether or not you decide to work with an LGBTQ agent, you do need to find someone you’re comfortable with. You should be able to share with them all of your housing needs and wants. You don’t necessarily have to come out to them, though. Chances are, they will recognize that the two of you are a couple pretty quickly, even if you say nothing.

Get Pre-Approved

Finally, if you’re thinking about buying a home, you should go ahead and get pre-approved for a loan. After you’ve looked at your individual credit histories, sit down with a lender and talk about your options. They can run the numbers and let you know how large of a mortgage you’ll be able to get. With that information, you can then become seriously looking at homes.

A number of large cities across the U.S. and even the world, have gay villages or gayborhoods. These neighborhoods typically have a very high percentage of LGBTQ residents and are often home to community centers and other LGBTQ-owned businesses. Many have names such as Boystown and Lavender Heights, names that suggest that the area is a gay neighborhood without directly stating so.

That’s not the case in Philadelphia. Instead of giving their gay neighborhood a name that could be considered a little misleading, they simply call it the Gayborhood. This area is a part of Washington Square West and is home to many different LGBTQ businesses, restaurants, and bars.

The History of the Gayborhood

The Gayborhood began as the center of the city’s bathhouse culture back in the late 70s and early 80s. While it may have had this somewhat negative association for years, it changed during the 1990s as the bathhouses gave way to more restaurants, boutiques, and other businesses.

In 2007, city officials recognized the Gayborhood as its own unique area by adding rainbow flag symbols to the street signs between Chestnut and Pine and Juniper and 11^th Street. Later, in 2010, more signs were added, expanding the area. Finally, in 2015, the crosswalks at 13^th Street and Locust were painted rainbow colors.

An Attempt at Rebranding

In 2002, a developer came into the area and attempted to rebrand it as the Blocks Below Broad. While this “B3” launch failed, a local merchants association came into the area in 2006 and tried again. While their attempt to call the area Midtown Village was, on paper at least, somewhat successful, many people still call the area the Gayborhood.

The Gayborhood Today

Today, the Gayborhood is home to OutFest, Philadelphia’s annual National Coming Out Day event. Philly Pride also takes place in the area. There are a number of other events that take place in and around the Gayborhood all year round. Many are LGBTQ-related, while some are arts events and markets.

Want to Move to the Gayborhood?

If you’re considering a move to Philadelphia, the Gayborhood may be the perfect location. As a part of Washington Square West, it’s conveniently located next to the downtown area of Philadelphia. This gives you quick and easy access to everything there and is perfect for someone who will be working downtown. There are many gay and lesbian real estate agents in Philadelphia who can help you find the perfect home.

A Home Owner’s Association or HOA is something that many people want to avoid at all costs. These neighborhood overseers have the authority to determine what types of trees you can have in your yard, what animals you can have outdoors, and even what color your house is. While there are some advantages to living in an area with an HOA, many see the disadvantages as being too much. This can be especially true for those who identify as LGBTQ. There have been a number of instances where an HOA has discriminated against LGBTQ homeowners. If you find yourself battling an HOA over something, do you know what your rights are?

HOAs Must Comply with the Fair Housing Act

No HOA may refuse to allow you to move into the neighborhood based on your race, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or other factors. It doesn’t matter what your orientation or gender identity is, federal law protects you from housing discrimination. A number of states and cities have additional laws that offer more protections.

While the HOA may be able to ban carports or tell you that you can’t paint your home a bright blue, they can’t tell you when your children can play in your yard or when you can come and go from your home. They can’t ban visitors or what you do to the interior of your home, either.

The Senior Exemption

There can be an exemption made for age if a community has been designated a senior retirement community. In this one case, it is legal for the HOA to accept only buyers who are over a specific age. Often, these communities are also allowed to reject buyers or renters who have children, although they cannot prevent anyone with children from visiting. The idea is to create a quiet community for seniors to enjoy.

Can LGBTQ Neighborhood HOAs Discriminate?

Of course not—if someone who identifies as straight wants to move into a gay district that has an HOA, they’re legally allowed to. Many LGBTQ neighborhoods are seen as something of a refuge for those who feel different, whether it’s because they’re a minority religion, from another country, or have an artistic vision that others don’t get. Because of this, many LGBTQ districts are incredibly diverse. This is often one of the most amazing benefits of living in one of these neighborhoods.

Working with a gay or lesbian real estate agent can be very helpful when learning about HOA rules and what you could and could not do as a homeowner. You need to fully understand these rules before you buy a home governed by an HOA.

While many LGBTQ people who move to California are determined to live in either San Francisco or Los Angeles, there are actually a number of other, more affordable gay villages in the state. One of these neighborhoods is Lavender Heights, a part of Sacramento. If you’re looking to live more in the middle or northern part of the state, this may be the place for you.

Lavender Heights is located in the Midtown area of Sacramento. This is one of the historical districts of the city, and the houses here are gorgeous. Many are old Victorian homes that have been kept up over the years. While Midtown is mainly a residential area, it is just east of Sacramento’s downtown, so you’ll be close to everything. Midtown and Lavender Heights have a growing artistic community. The area is also home to the only winery in the Sacramento area. The entire Midtown area has continuous bike lanes and has a terminal for the Sacramento Regional Transit District light rail, making getting around very easy.

Sacramento’s Castro

Lavender Heights has been called the Castro of Sacramento. It’s also been compared to Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle. The neighborhood is home to the Lavender Library and the Sacramento LGBT Community Center along with many of the LGBTQ clubs, bars, and other businesses.

Despite being the center of Sacramento’s LGBTQ community for years, Lavender Heights wasn’t actually a designated neighborhood until 2015. It was always simply a part of Midtown, but the city’s first openly LGBTQ councilmember believed that the district needed to be officially recognized as its own area. He created a community collation to raise awareness of the district and its place in the LGBTQ community. With the support of a number of organizations, community leaders, and other groups, Lavender Heights was officially recognized as its own district.

As part of the campaign to become its own district, a rainbow crosswalk was installed in Lavender Heights. This crosswalk was funded by a number of fundraisers organized by the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce and its Rainbow Chamber Foundation. The crosswalk was officially unveiled in October of 2015 and was the subject of news stories across the state.

Living in Lavender Heights

As a historic district, you can expect to find mostly older homes in Lavender Hills. With access to downtown and the rest of the city via light rail plus a number of arts and music festivals, there’s always something to do. If you’re looking to settle somewhere away from the coast, ask a gay or lesbian real estate agent about Lavender Heights. It may not be that well-known, but you may be surprised by how homey it feels.