The Next Gay Ghetto

With rents in well-known gay ghettos going through the roof, it’s time to start a new gay neighborhood.  Q: But where should it be?

When out gay men and lesbians moved into rundown urban neighborhoods in the late ’60s and early ’70s, they rented apartments no one else wanted and started businesses on blocks where no one else thought businesses could thrive.

Neighborhoods like New York’s East Village, San Francisco’s Castro, Chicago’s Lake View, Los Angeles’ West Hollywood and Seattle’s Capitol Hill slowly gentrified, with hordes of gay men and lesbians making these once dicey neighborhoods safe for florists, card shops, and coffee houses.
The closest most gays and lesbians ever come to finding a promised land is moving to the Gay Ghetto — an urban neighborhood that is populated by, and reasonably tolerates, a large number of queers.  For years, first-wave gay ghettos were kept lively and relevant by a constant stream of young queer migrants arriving from upstate New York, downstate Illinois, rural California, and eastern Washington.

And for years, young queers moving into these gay ghettos could rely on three things: cheap apartments, good-paying jobs, and lots of other young queers.  But all that’s changing.  In neighborhoods where dirt-cheap apartments and too-trendy restaurants once peacefully coexisted, rising property values are pushing rents through the roof.  The social contract that kept young queer migrants pouring into gay ghettos has been ruptured.

Gay ghettos are slowly turning into gay retirement communities, where the only queers who can afford to live in the East Village, West Hollywood, San Francisco or on Capitol Hill are the ones who bought apartments and houses 20 years ago when they were still relatively cheap.  Young, straight singles have moved in, followed by straight retirees, marrieds, and young families.  With young queers forced to look elsewhere for housing, first-wave gay ghettos are on the decline, sapped of the energy and sex appeal of queer youngsters.  Such is the sad story of Seattle’s Capitol Hill & L.A.’s West Hollywood.

Unfortunately, the roots that queers lay tend to be thin and easily ripped up by the relentless tides of change. And thus the great queer migration begins. Queers set out, like herds of faaabulous caribou, in search of the next gay ghetto. It happened in New York, it happened in Chicago, it happened in San Francisco — -and now it’s happening in other cities.  All over the United States, young gays and lesbians priced out of established gay ghettos are colonizing new neighborhoods, seeking out cheap rents and opening trendy restaurants.  In New York, young queers have abandoned the East Village and taken over Chelsea & Hell’s Kitchen; in Chicago, young queers have left Lake View behind and taken over Andersonville, and in San Francisco, young queers have burst out of the Castro and taken over, well, everything.

If you’re looking for a new place to call home and want to be a part of this generation’s Gay Ghettos Popping up take a look at these neighborhoods:

NORTHEAST

Hell’s Kitchen (New York, NY) —The new generation of residents are folks who started looking on the Upper West Side, then realized they could enjoy much the same lifestyle south of Lincoln Center. Gay boutiques, restaurants and nightlife are popping up around the area.

Near Northeast (Syracuse, NY) —Tucked away, as its name states, just northeast of downtown Syracuse is this area with a diverse past and a growing gay population. The Hawley-Green LGBT Neighbors promotes the neighborhood as gay-friendly and gay residents have followed.

New London, CT—Last year’s Supreme Court decision on eminent domain focused a lot of attention on the city of New London.  Ready to rise up from its years of decline, this is a great place for investment property buying.

South End (Boston, MA) —Housing in the South End is very expensive by U.S. standards, but it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other central Boston neighborhoods like the Back Bay and Beacon Hill. The community boasts a vibrant gay, black, and young urban professional population.

MID-ATLANTIC

Canton/Highlandtown (Baltimore, MD) —Baltimore is fast becoming the low-price alternative to Washington, DC, and its suburbs. And with that movement, Canton has become trendy with its mix of hip, new stores and old boutiques and has a growing gay population, while Highlandtown is just being rediscovered. Both are former industrial hubs enjoying a home-buying renaissance.

New Hope (New Hope, PA) —Nestled along the banks of the Delaware River, the village of New Hope and its surrounding area offers scenic countryside a thriving arts community and is well known for its acceptance of all lifestyles.

Rehoboth Beach (Rehoboth Beach, DE) —Once a gay population on the decline, this seaside community has refurbished its infrastructure, is attracting new commercial activity and increasing its list of year-round residents as well. Its low tax rates, including no sales tax, are points in its favor.

Shaw (Washington, DC) —An area tucked behind and aside the newly revitalized convention center area in the heart of DC. Gay businesses and home-buyers are emerging.

Washington Square West (Philadelphia, PA) —A neighborhood of handsome town homes and charming, narrow back streets where many gay businesses and much of the night life is located.

SOUTHEAST

Midtown (Atlanta, GA) —One of Atlanta’s premier neighborhoods. Located in the heart of the city, with both an active arts and business district, as well as a plethora of housing options, one can really live, work and play in this neighborhood. Midtown has a large gay population, and prides itself on diversity and acceptance.

NODA—North Davidson Street (Charlotte, NC) —Known as Charlotte’s historic arts district, the area is quickly becoming a dynamic and eclectic urban community. Gays and lesbians are following.

Oakcliff (Dallas, TX) —Stroll through Oak Cliff and you’ll see what old Dallas may have looked a lot like. About half of all businesses are gay-owned. Oak Cliff also has its place in history: After assassinating President John F. Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald was captured in the Texas Theater on W. Jefferson Boulevard.

Uptown (Tampa Bay, FL) —Just north of downtown, Uptown offers several architectural styles, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and has a great history. Brick streets, mature oak trees, and a variety of housing add to the character. Round Lake offers a peaceful respite in an urban area. Prices are still affordable.

MIDWEST

Andersonville (Chicago, IL) —A long-time lesbian neighborhood, gay men have started taking a shine to it as well. known for its unique commercial district, made up almost entirely of locally owned, independent businesses.

East Side (Madison, WI) —A mostly middle-class neighborhood with liberal values and a thriving arts scene.

The Third Ward/South Second (Milwaukee, WI) —Property owners think the corridor’s future is best tied to the entertainment and art sectors that are already established along the street. More than a dozen bars and nightclubs dot a one-mile stretch south of the Menomonee River.

Wicker Park (Chicago, IL) —Wonderfully diverse, dynamic neighborhood with a rich history and currently home to one of the largest working-artist populations in the country.

WEST

Tacoma, WA —With one of the highest populations of gays in Tacoma, the area is cleaning itself up from its gangs and drugs past up and housing prices are rising fast. Gay-owned and gay-friendly lounges have been popping up around this district. The area will only see more gentrification in the years to come due to planned office and condo developments, affordable historic homes, great sense of community and easy access to downtown Tacoma.

Northeast Broadway (Portland, OR) —Portland’s growing east-side population fostered the renaissance of this area, which now boasts a lively collection of cafes and shops. Many of the boutiques are independent, meaning that you won’t find a cookie-cutter approach to your shopping.

Oakland, CA —After years of being the red-headed stepchild of San Francisco, in 2004 the city launched a campaign to lure new gay and lesbian residents. The main focus for property buying is on Park Boulevard near East 18th Street, about two blocks from the southeast shore of Lake Merritt.

North Hollywood, CA —The once fully-suburban family hideaway is now on it’s way of turning adjoining cities like Studio City, Van Nuys and Valley Village into a gay ghetto with droves of West Siders now calling North of Hollywood their home.

Stapleton (Denver, CO) —The old Stapleton Airport grounds have been redeveloped into a new urbanist community. The nation’s largest urban development, it is an urban tapestry of homes, shops, offices, parks and schools in a walkable community of classic city architecture.