Why do you live (or stay) where you live?

This question is directed at anyone who lives somewhere.  So as not to discriminate, those who do not live somewhere, but perhaps live somewhen instead, are also invited to participate, but only if they can explain how that works.

 

It's pretty open-ended really, but a few things to consider:

  • Is your community open to your atheism (or other philosophy if not atheist)?
  • If so, is that a factor in why you remain?
  • If not, does this bother you?
  • If it does bother you, what keeps you where you are (family, school, can't afford to move, etc.)?
  • What other aspects, positive or negative, affect the livability of your current location?

 

Even if you frequently move, or do not live most of any given year at a fixed address, I'm still looking for the same basic things: what keeps you in a state of moving around so much?

 

N.B. Don't feel obligated to answer those subquestions I asked.  Photos, words, videos... whatever; answer however you damn well please.  I'm mostly just curious about where other TA members are coming from, figuratively and literaly.

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Permalink Reply by Arcus on April 1, 2011 at 5:13pm
  • Is your community open to your atheism (or other philosophy if not atheist)?

Yes. I am originally from one of the most secular countries in the world and currently live in a former communist republic where atheism permeates society to a substantial degree.

  • If so, is that a factor in why you remain?

Not really. I moved here quite randomly due to a job offer.

  • What other aspects, positive or negative, affect the livability of your current location?

Cheap country to live in. By far the best beer in the world. Excellent public transport system. The heart of Europe. Decriminalized drugs. Negative aspects include no comprehension of service, limited selection, completely different language group, no concept of efficiency.

I think the quest in my life, coming from the dark and cold North, is to live somewhere which never sees snow and palm trees grow naturally. I don't mind religiousity around me, I have a tendency to find atheist/agnostic/secular friends no matter where I am. As I know a some religious people take offense, I 'come out' quickly and accept that it causes some people to be unable to be my friends.

Oh, and the staggering beauty of a mixture of gothic, medieval, neo-gothic, art nouveau, and art deco architecture baffles my mind. Seriously, just look at this citiscape:

Permalink Reply by William C. Walker on April 4, 2011 at 7:16pm
If I wasn't so goddam old, (85) I would not be living in Altoona, Pa. Go for it Cass, you're only young once.
Permalink Reply by Steven Broka on May 17, 2011 at 9:23pm

I live in the liberal part of Las Vegas, NV. In general though, we have lots of mormons and catholics in this city. I meet more jackasses than open-minded religious folk.

 

I stay because I can't afford out of state College tuition.

Permalink Reply by Niki Liu on May 21, 2011 at 2:38am
I live in a small town in South Carolina.  I would say they are NOT open to atheism.  They barely acknowledge evolution.  I stay because living with my parents is rent-free while I go to a technical school on scholarship.  I plan to stay maybe three more years after I get my degree if I can get a reasonably good job.  If I can get a job at the projected salary for my current degree program (this area is supposed to see a lot of retirees in the next few years in this field) I should be able to pay off the student loan from my BA degree.  After that I will either move to a city with a heavy dose of multi-cultural peoples and reasonably decent public transportation, or I will return to Asia, maybe for work in my field, maybe to teach English again, or may be to study Chinese.  I lived in China for five years and I really liked it there.  I would love to give it another go, or hit up another Asian country.  I've also thought about going to the Netherlands for a year or so.  My grandfather was Dutch and I have never had a chance to meet his side of the family.  So I have also thought about that as well.  I like to keep my options open.     
Permalink Reply by William C. Walker on May 21, 2011 at 3:54pm
My best wishes, Niki, on the realization of your 'game plan'. There are some small-minded bigots just about everywhere, don't let them get you down. You have a good life ahead of you no matter where you go.
Permalink Reply by William C. Walker on May 21, 2011 at 3:55pm
My best wishes, Niki, on the realization of your 'game plan'. There are some small-minded bigots just about everywhere, don't let them get you down. You have a good life ahead of you no matter where you go.
Permalink Reply by William C. Walker on May 21, 2011 at 3:55pm
My best wishes, Niki, on the realization of your 'game plan'. There are some small-minded bigots just about everywhere, don't let them get you down. You have a good life ahead of you no matter where you go.
Permalink Reply by Chris on May 22, 2011 at 11:30am

1) I have not been hassled about it. I live in Utah and, so far, the reaction seems to be more of along the lines of when your kid tells you they are going to kill a monster in the closet. "Well, that's really something! You just take care in there. Anyway..."

2) No, I live here because this is where my wife and I can afford and have our careers - well, she has a career. I have a job. Fucking economy.

3) Not really. I am often amazed at how secular this state is, but perhaps I shouldn't be. They are fresher off the religious persecution bus than most other states, so they tend to tread lightly. Yes, they make some fucked up laws, but anyone who wants to get around them knows how without much fuss. And, though sort of plastic, they are generally good folks these days.

4) see above

5) Just as stated. It's not a bad place to live and raise kids. I can't know, of course, but it seems far better here than in some Southern or Midwestern communities I have read about recently. I think a lot of it has to do with how you find the people you actually associate with, but there seem to be a lot a easy going types here, contrary to what you might think about LDS culture.

Permalink Reply by William C. Walker on May 22, 2011 at 11:43pm
LDS appears to more like a business than a religion. It would be nice to have the figures on just how much property they own. I'm sure it's value is in the billions. And no taxes on it ! Bummer !
Permalink Reply by Chris on May 23, 2011 at 12:01am
You know, I do feel that they are more of a business than a religion in a lot of ways, but the 'man on the street' here takes the religion aspect very seriously. And of course there are plenty of frighteningly out there types. And it's obvious bullshit, of course. But it could be a lot worse than it is. if it were I think I would just be poor and move. Too old to spend the rest of my life in that kind of atmosphere.
Permalink Reply by William C. Walker on May 22, 2011 at 11:43pm
LDS appears to more like a business than a religion. It would be nice to have the figures on just how much property they own. I'm sure it's value is in the billions. And no taxes on it ! Bummer !
Permalink Reply by ☼ Doctor Reality ☼ on May 30, 2011 at 7:38pm
I stay here in Chicago to be close to my 8 year old daughter.

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