Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hello All,

As the subject states, I was curious if anyone is familiar with areas that are friendly/accepting of the trans community that are also affordable.  It seems like most places that are open tend to be more pricey in terms of rent.  So, is there such a thing as an affordable area that also tends to be more liberal (at least with dealing with the trans community)? I'm not really planning on relocating, but want to plan ahead if I don't have acceptance once I come out to my family.  Also, I kind of have this romantic idea of starting somewhere new while in transition. 

In addition to the main question, does anyone have experience with having a roommate while transitioning.  That seems like it will be pretty complicated and I don't want to put myself in harms way.  Therefore, I would like to avoid that scenario at all costs. Still, having a roommate might be the only way for me to go about getting a place here in NY if I am not able to transition at home.  So, if you had experience in this area, do you mind sharing?

Thanks :)

Room with another trans woman. Also, Philly is pretty cheap unless you live downtown. West Philly, where Penn and Drexel are located, you can rent a two bedroom apt. for $800/month. Maybe less.

Quote from: Joanna Dark on May 15, 2013, 11:34:44 PM
Room with another trans woman. Also, Philly is pretty cheap unless you live downtown. West Philly, where Penn and Drexel are located, you can rent a two bedroom apt. for $800/month. Maybe less.

That doesn't sound bad at all.  I guess that's an option that I can keep under my hat.  I recently got offered a position in Philly but turned it down because the hours were really crazy and the pay was pretty poor for the amount of time they required.  Still, it might be a good option for me in the future in case I get rejected at home.  We'll see. Ideally, I'd like to be in a liberal east coast city, so it's on the list. 

Rooming with another trans woman sounds like a good idea, but I imagine it isn't easy in practice.  We are a fairly small community, so it's not easy to find a roommate who is trans let alone in the same area as you.  Plus, I think going on craigslist saying looking for a trans roommate sounds like a pretty dangerous thing,lol. 

Once i decided to live in DC i haven't regretted it, but definitions of affordable may vary. There are jobs in DC, so to me that makes it lots more affordable than a city where rent might be lower but there isnt much opportunity to make enough to pay rent.

Liberal east coast cities tend to be expensive places to live but, i find the cost of living to be less than west coast equivalents like Seattle or San Francisco.

Living with someone is much more reasonable if they are a lover or an understanding member of the lgbt community. I have heard a few horror stories about straight cisgender people who said they were cool with things to appear politically correct or avoid conflict but were not at all comfortable with it.

Quote from: Hikari on May 16, 2013, 12:38:42 PM
Once i decided to live in DC i haven't regretted it, but definitions of affordable may vary. There are jobs in DC, so to me that makes it lots more affordable than a city where rent might be lower but there isnt much opportunity to make enough to pay rent.

Liberal east coast cities tend to be expensive places to live but, i find the cost of living to be less than west coast equivalents like Seattle or San Francisco.

Living with someone is much more reasonable if they are a lover or an understanding member of the lgbt community. I have heard a few horror stories about straight cisgender people who said they were cool with things to appear politically correct or avoid conflict but were not at all comfortable with it.

Yeah, I would consider DC.  There probably is a lot of work that would be applicable.  Still, I have heard the rent can be a nightmare and there are very bad parts of DC (at least, that's what I've heard).

Yeah, I think rooming with someone outside of the trans community may be problematic.  But if one needs a roommate, it seems fairly difficult to find a transgender roommate.  It's not something easily advertised plus we are very few in numbers.  I would have no problem rooming with a lover, but I'm very doubtful I will ever meet a guy that would be interested in me.  I kind of have to accept that I'll likely never have a love life.  Plus, it's definite that I wouldn't meet someone in the timeframe that I would be moving out (if it comes to being rejected).

Consider Portland, OR. There are resources plenty there for transfolk, other trans people around, friendly place overall. And very pretty, and bike-friendly :)

Quote from: jackofspades on May 16, 2013, 03:34:46 PM
Consider Portland, OR. There are resources plenty there for transfolk, other trans people around, friendly place overall. And very pretty, and bike-friendly :)

I have been to portland numerous times but just passing through though. What about the area of Troutdale, east of Portland, are they pretty transfriendly and or a transcommunity there?

You are right, one of the most beautiful places as far as cities go that I have seen.

Yeah, I am sure there are good places on the west coast.  It's just so foreign to me.  I have never seen myself living there and always imagined being on the east coast. If I had my way, I would stay in NY or move to a city like Boston (or somewhere in Europe, but not until after transitioning). So, I am not too keen on leaving the east coast.  But, I will include the good old west in my "possible destinations if necessary" list. 

Quote from: Jess42 on May 16, 2013, 03:49:33 PM
I have been to portland numerous times but just passing through though. What about the area of Troutdale, east of Portland, are they pretty transfriendly and or a transcommunity there?

You are right, one of the most beautiful places as far as cities go that I have seen.

Troutdale is in the more redneck part of Portland. It's still close enough to Portland itself that you can still take advantage of the resources out here. I'd also avoid Hillsboro and Aloha as well. Beaverton, Tigard and Tualatin are all good if you don't want to live in the city itself.

I find Boston to be very LGBT friendly, as well as Northampton, MA. Northampton and the surrounding areas are less expensive than Boston. Boston can be expensive, but it's more affordable if you live right outside the city and commute in.

I also hear there's some kind of an LGBT town or community in Vermont. I am not sure how expensive Vermont is, but I have seen some housing guides and some places look really cheap in comparison to MA and RI. :)

Quote from: Shodan on May 16, 2013, 08:55:52 PM
Troutdale is in the more redneck part of Portland. It's still close enough to Portland itself that you can still take advantage of the resources out here. I'd also avoid Hillsboro and Aloha as well. Beaverton, Tigard and Tualatin are all good if you don't want to live in the city itself.

Hey, hey. I resemble that remark about "rednecks". My accent, what I wear in guy mode, the music I listen to, Not country by the way, and what I drive. Truly I am a pradox in the way of a transgender redneck. :o I think there are way more of us than anyone will ever know or can even guess. I'm just a little more open about my roots though, on the computer anyway, but who knows? I may be the only transgender redneck in the whole U.S.

But seriously though thanks Shodan. So in other words, try to stay closer to the Interstate 5 corridor instead of the 84 Corridor. How far south on I 5 before it becomes not so friendly?

Quote from: Jess42 on May 17, 2013, 07:26:17 AMBut seriously though thanks Shodan. So in other words, try to stay closer to the Interstate 5 corridor instead of the 84 Corridor. How far south on I 5 before it becomes not so friendly?

Eugene. :D

Quote from: Shodan on May 17, 2013, 07:29:05 AM
Eugene. :D

So I would have a ways to get out of the big city and still be accepted? It's kind of a bitch being such a paradox. The LGBT community looks at me like I'm going to lynch them sometimes and other rednecks, when they look closer at me, looks like they are going to lynche me ;D

But seriously though and this is a good lesson for everyone and that is, You can't judge a book by it's cover. Unless they are just plain out "Deliverence" crazy rednecks, most do accept the LGBT community in a live and let live way. Where I came from, it is definately a live and let live mentality. I've noticed a lot of men from areas that I would consider redneck looking for transwomen. Whether out of curiosity or "->-bleeped-<-s" I don't really know but do find it kind of strange in a hopeful way. Maybe society is changing in a way that is good for us. I have a bunch of theries on it though.

That is an interesting development, Jess. About those redneck (heehee xD) men seeking out trans women. Please do share your theories? I'd love to hear them :)

Well, Oregon is rather paradoxical. Down the I5 corridor is generally fairly liberal, but when you go outside if the area it turns very conservative. Very, very conservative. Enough so that you still get things like our state constitution was amended to define marriage as one man, one woman. But in the other hand, if you work for the state, they made sure to do little thing like, say, make sure SRS and such is covered by insurance. Most companies in the area are very progressive about the rights of their employees. So I'd say that despite all it's idiosyncrasies Oregon is a good place to live.

Thank you Shodan. I have always liked Oregon and spending time there over the road. I won't say where it was but a got a big break from a trooper. I was going 13 MPH over the speed limit for trucks and all I got was a warning and DOT inspection which I passed and then made money on from the company. And I have run into some very friendly, good hearted people there. So who knows? I would definately rather go west for a change instead of east.

Kyh, look In your PM box in a little while.

Will do, Jess :D

Quote from: girl you look fierce on May 17, 2013, 11:12:21 AM
I moved from the midwest to the east coast (right near the coast) and I know how ya feel... kind of like a fish out of water (lol that is the worst way to put it but).

I am adjusting though... OTOH this is a really un-trans-friendly place AFAIK so I stay very stealth...

Yeah, there are some more conservative areas on the east coast.  Mainly, I am only interested in being in the North-East coast.  No disrespect to any conservatives or republicans out there, but I prefer living in a strong blue state.  That's just me. 

 this is good I am trying to find a place to move to soon, is it possible to find an apartment at all in any of those safe places for about $475 a month? & where

 this is good I am trying to find a place to move to soon, is it possible to find an apartment at all in any of those safe places for about $475 a month? & where? BTW I am already on the west coast

Not really. You can find one bedrooms for around $650, if you go digging. If you can find a roommate you can do a two or three bedroom and share the rent and get it down to that price. I've got a three bedroom that I'm paying $980 for, but it's in a crap apartment complex. Generally rent is going to be higher in Oregon because of the huge property taxes that we have. But it's offset by the fact that we have no sales tax.

OK thanks, did not know that about the state, will stick with original destination of Fresno, can do it there for $475 to $495 in a 1 bedroom and not have to share with anyone (already had horrible experience with room mates)

Asheville, NC is a rather liberal area inside a conservative State. There is a vacation rental cabin ran by a transwoman, a trans health initiative (clinic), and from what I've heard a decent sized trans population.  I live in a not so trans friendly area of NC and have considered moving to the Mountains just to be near Asheville...but I'm a beach bum. Not sure where I'll end up yet.

Quote from: vegie271 on May 17, 2013, 09:14:53 PM
OK thanks, did not know that about the state, will stick with original destination of Fresno, can do it there for $475 to $495 in a 1 bedroom and not have to share with anyone (already had horrible experience with room mates)

You can get an apartment in Cali for 500 a month without needing a roommate!? I'm in NY and there is no way we could get away with that (well at least in the city and long island, not sure about upstate.  Seriously, that sounds amazing.

Quote from: Simon on May 17, 2013, 09:58:09 PM
Asheville, NC is a rather liberal area inside a conservative State. There is a vacation rental cabin ran by a transwoman, a trans health initiative (clinic), and from what I've heard a decent sized trans population.  I live in a not so trans friendly area of NC and have considered moving to the Mountains just to be near Asheville...but I'm a beach bum. Not sure where I'll end up yet.

No kidding? This surpises the crap out of me. Go for it Simon, I've been to North Carolina and through Asheville several time and I would rather breath that clean mountain air than the salty corrosive air around the water. I may even take a trip and check it out. Asheville would be almost like home where I come from.

Quote from: LearnedHand on May 16, 2013, 09:03:11 PM
I find Boston to be very LGBT friendly, as well as Northampton, MA. Northampton and the surrounding areas are less expensive than Boston. Boston can be expensive, but it's more affordable if you live right outside the city and commute in.

I also hear there's some kind of an LGBT town or community in Vermont. I am not sure how expensive Vermont is, but I have seen some housing guides and some places look really cheap in comparison to MA and RI. :)

Yeah Northampton! I absolutely love that town. I would move there if I didn't have to go into Boston so often.

Quote from: learningtolive on May 18, 2013, 08:14:51 AM
You can get an apartment in Cali for 500 a month without needing a roommate!? I'm in NY and there is no way we could get away with that (well at least in the city and long island, not sure about upstate.  Seriously, that sounds amazing.

yes right now I am in Bakersfield and paying $475 and I can move to a much nicer place in a low income great place with internet provided even but I hate it in Kern county (if you read my intro you find out why, been here too long already) I have decided to escape! in my current neighborhood I get bullied just for being an out lesbian! There are at least 3 neighborhoods in Fresno where I can rent for about $500 or less

and I just don't feel safe with a room mate

Quote from: vegie271 on May 18, 2013, 01:59:24 PM
yes right now I am in Bakersfield and paying $475 and I can move to a much nicer place in a low income great place with internet provided even but I hate it in Kern county (if you read my intro you find out why, been here too long already) I have decided to escape! in my current neighborhood I get bullied just for being an out lesbian! There are at least 3 neighborhoods in Fresno where I can rent for about $500 or less

and I just don't feel safe with a room mate

Really, I'm surprised it's so cheap there.  But, good for you!  I agree with your sentiments on a roommate.  Yet, if I stay in NY and need my own place, that will likely be my only option.  Where I live you find studios for around 1,000 a month. It's possible to find an unregistered apartment for less, but they're generally aren't much cheaper.  I could move to cheaper areas in the city, but I want to be safe as well.

Quote from: learningtolive on May 18, 2013, 02:19:53 PM
Really, I'm surprised it's so cheap there.  But, good for you!  I agree with your sentiments on a roommate.  Yet, if I stay in NY and need my own place, that will likely be my only option.  Where I live you find studios for around 1,000 a month. It's possible to find an unregistered apartment for less, but they're generally aren't much cheaper.  I could move to cheaper areas in the city, but I want to be safe as well.

Central California is surprisingly cheap compared to the rest of the state, mainly because it's hotter than hell and there's nothing to do here. It's relatively safe and drama-free, though. I live in Fresno and $500 sounds about right for the low end of the price range.

Vegie271: Feel free to PM me if you have questions about Fresno or need anything when you get here. (Don't want to keep derailing this thread with Cali talk since LTL said she wanted to stay on the East Coast.)