There are a number of widely recognized gay neighborhoods and villages around the U.S. Everyone knows that Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco have gay neighborhoods because those neighborhoods have made a name for themselves over the years. But what about cities that don’t have a nationally-known gayborhood? Do they just not have one? In some cases, that’s true, but in others, it’s more a case of their gay neighborhood being on the smaller side or being relatively new. There are a few things you can look for to help you determine where a city’s gayborhood is located.

Where’s the Gay and Lesbian Community Center?

If the city has an LGBTQ community center, there’s a good chance that it is in or near the gay district. Even if it’s not, you can always ask the people there if the city has a gay neighborhood. The employees or some of the people visiting the center are sure to know. Some may even live there and can point you towards available properties you can have your gay or lesbian real estate agent look into.

Look for Businesses Aimed at the LGBTQ Community

Another good indicator of where LGBTQ people tend to live is where businesses aimed at the community are located. You can find these businesses by talking to people at the community center, of course, but you can also search for them online. Another good source is to look for a gay newspaper or other publication. These papers usually include ads from LGBTQ-owned or friendly businesses.

Go Online

The internet is a great place to learn more about a city you’re thinking about calling home. You can find articles discussing the LGBTQ community, gay neighborhoods, and even housing prices. These tools can be invaluable when planning your move, so be sure to take advantage of them.

Talk to People Who Live There

It can be hard to strike up a conversation with a stranger about where gay people live, especially if you’re concerned about how they may react. Instead of approaching strangers, ask your friends or relatives if they know anyone who lives in the city. They may not, but they might know a friend of a friend who does.

It’s not always obvious where the LGBTQ neighborhood is in a city, but in today’s world, that’s not always a bad thing. It can be a sign that people no longer feel like they have to isolate themselves in a neighborhood, but instead enjoy the diversity that their home has to offer.

When people talk about neighborhoods that are predominantly made up of LGBTQ residents, few people think of places in Kentucky. However, this state does contain cities that have pockets of liberal areas where LGBTQ citizens are recognized and celebrated. One such area is Berea, a city located in Madison County. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, mainly because of its large arts festivals and historic buildings. Berea is also home to Berea College, a liberal arts school that attracts many students from around the state and the country. Is Berea the right place for you to call home? Here are some reasons it could be.

It’s an Artistic Community

Between Berea College and the many arts and crafts festivals held in the city every year, Berea has attracted a large number of artists and artistic people. If you enjoy painting, sculpting, acting, playing music, or any other artistic endeavor, this may be the place for you to live. Even cooking is celebrated in Berea with the annual Spoonbread Festival that focuses on traditional homemade cornmeal breads.

It Offers Great Employment Opportunities

Berea is a major hub for companies in the auto parts and metals industries. Hitachi, KI, STEMCO Motor Wheel, and Pittsburgh Glass Works are some of the major auto parts companies that have established themselves in Berea. The city, Berea College, and the Madison School System are also major employers. It may seem odd that such an artistic city would have businesses that focus mostly on industry and mechanics, but it does give the city a very nice balance.

It’s Affordable

The average housing price of a single-family home is around $150,000. That’s in line with the average cost of a home in Kentucky, and lower than buying in areas such as Lexington or Georgetown. Berea isn’t the cheapest housing market in Kentucky, but it’s certainly not the most expensive, either. It’s a nice middle ground that means homeownership is certainly an option.

The LGBTQ Community

Berea’s LGBTQ community is fairly active. Because the city is a part of the Richmond-Berea Metro area, you’ll find that two cities share a number of LGBTQ bars, clubs, and other businesses. Berea is also near Lexington, Fayette, and Richmond, all of which have various LGBTQ-owned businesses. In fact, Lexington is known as one of the state’s other major gay ghettos and hosts one of the largest LGBTQ pride festivals in the state.

Thinking about making the move to Berea? Contact a gay or lesbian real estate expert in the area to learn more about available properties.