We stayed in Freiburg for a week and loved every minute of it. It was our first choice until someone started me on this idea of the south being conservative. I understand cities in general are more liberal, especially university towns, but I don't want to live in a haven surrounded by bigotry once you leave the city proper
Edit: Im not saying that's what Freiburg is, I hope it isn't.
It's much the same here, although some cities are more welcoming than others. The hard part is finding a rural or semi rural area that is also accepting but near to a city that isn't also white suburbia
Partner is looking to go to university (for law) and I'll be either looking for a programmer position or trying to figure out a freelancer situation. What I'm seeing is that pretty much anywhere in Germany is a step up from the sinking ship that is the US right now in terms of conservative insanity. I prefer a quiet life mostly spent at home with pets and family with the option to go out on the town for a good meal and fun once in awhile or attend a festival a few times a year. Nightlife is preferred as well, sun bad
I don't necessarily need to me immersed in it, but having community and good food nearby is a welcome change. Especially being able to take a train into the city. Here you would need to drive 45+ minutes by car just to find a single gay bar that might be kinda shitty anyway. US cities are similar in that they are more welcoming but frankly, by all other metrics, our cities suck
If you find anything that would be greatly appreciated! Your response is encouraging nonetheless, the landscape is changing so rapidly here it is hard to know where is actually safe and welcoming to all the letters
You hit on every topic I am considering, Berlin is sounding more in line with what I want. While I am not a poc I still have no interest in living around racists. It would be such a welcome change to be around more queer people, vegan options and a general sense of peace. I wouldn't really consider leaving the US if it were not for the increasing sense of hostility around and the insane amount of anti-lgbtqia laws popping up. Workation is the next step I think, probably sometime around summer of 2024.
If I might ask, what is the acceptance of trans folks like within the queer scene in Berlin?
I've tried to write several responses defining how Americans talk to each other and it's just so sad and hard to explain. "Small talk" is the phrase that comes to mind: obligatory, cliche, repeated statements with expected standard answers. It's miserable
Honestly I'm fine with the frosty attitudes and being ingored compared to the super fake and passive aggressive bs from folks here in the US. Thanks for the insight
You know I went to Europe for the first time thinking I was hopeless when it came to foreign languages. But after spending a week in Germany I could use basic greetings, numbers and was starting to understand some common phrases; a very fun experience honestly. I regret not continuing to learn formally, but if we commit to Germany then I'll have a few years to take lessons beforehand.
Ideally I want to live rural and work remote, same situation I have here, but I understand that is a rare privilege and hard to find everywhere.
@saloe
@lemmy.ml