This gorgeous little Gulf Coast town with Mediterranean-inspired architecture is a total dream, so much so that it ranks highly in multiple surveys on happiness and well-being. Over on the Sunshine State's Atlantic coast, Vero Beach is a nature lover's paradise with miles of hiking and biking trails, plus wildlife refuges along the coast. Portland, OR Just about 24 miles west across the Tampa Bay, Dunedin has two island state parks within its city limits: Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park. Tourists can catch sight of turtles, dolphins, and manatees as they swim offshore. BEHOLD! In 1969, Beaufort became one of the few U.S. cities with an entire downtown designated as a historic district by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, so exploring the neighborhoods filled with Victorian, Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and Federal-style homes is at the top of most travelers lists. Known for fall foliage, tasty food, and wine! Many notable musicians came from this small town, including J.P. Pennington, Jean Ritchie, and Wynonna Judd. Lydia Mansel is a freelance writer with over eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publicationswith a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. The lack the shame that keeps a lot of us Whites from going over the edge. For more on how we ran the numbers, keep on reading. Boynton Beach, Florida, feels like it exists on a completely different planet, even though it is actually a part of the posh and privileged Miami metropolitan area. The shores have a pier where anglers can catch fish while admiring spectacular views of the beautiful sunrise. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Population: 154,710Percent Democrat: 75.6%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $75.51# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.28More on Alexandria:Photos |Data. Many of the best things to do in Beaufort are found further outside of downtown. Slow Southern mornings paired with a home-cooked breakfast can be enjoyed on the expansive wooden porch at The Rhett House Inn. He inspires readers to travel through his writings, whether in their country or around the world. Although big cities are considered more liberal, there are still some small towns reflecting the same common values. The Gulf of Mexico is home to some of the most gorgeous sand and water in Florida, and Panama City Beach (and its sister city across the bridge, Panama City) have a front-row seat. If youre curious, here are the least liberal cities in South Carolina: For more South Carolina reading, check out: We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. Bonus: It's only 20-ish minutes from Wilmington, North Carolina, and halfway between New York and Florida. It's home to one of the most relaxed stretches of shore in the area, with a laidback surf feel and a welcoming community, but it also offers access to the city comforts of Charleston, just a 20-minute drive north. The winner, Orangeburg, is The Most liberal City in South Carolina For 2019. Similar to Boulder, Vermont also started the civil union that allowed same-sex marriage. The palm-lined main drag, Atlantic Avenue, is a statement piece that kicks off any trip with a starry-eyed bang. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. A few weeks ago I took to our Instagram Stories to poll the crowd with a question thats been tickling the back of my mind for yearsWhat are the best liberally-minded towns (small cities) in America? the Charlottesville community is an unexpected blend of Southern charm and liberal edge, a nice choice for a . A suburb of San Bernardino, Claremont has a population of 36,090. Chasing Chains, LLC. Boynton Beach is home to some of the most picturesque coastlines in the state and is close enough to numerous cultural, historical, and natural attractions for day trips. Walk around downtown to catch live music, settle into a snug restaurant, and perhaps join in on a ghost tour. Old Bull Tavern is a lively gastropub open only for dinner, Saltus River Grill is great for indulging in seafood, and those craving Italian should dine at Griffin Market. All rights reserved. Located in the Southeast corner of New York state, at the mouth of the Hudson River, is the small town of Bronxville, one of the most liberal small towns in America. Here are a few reasons why these towns are considered liberal. Moreover, Santa Ana is moderately liberal, having about 53.5% Democrats. Here, we've collected 15 of the cheapest beach towns to live in throughout the U.S., based on median home values under $300K. A # of Southern people Ive met hate the South and left. One of her roommates was a guy from Nicaragua. Its the ultimate destination for anyone looking to escape from the stir of big cities. I asked him why he was moving, and he said, Too many Gros, number One. Id never heard the word Gro (pronounced Grow) used before as racist slang, and for some reason I thought it was funny. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Not the people getting elected. Charlottesville, colloquially known as Cville by locals, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These places are usually a step ahead in supporting innovation and accepting social change. With the draw of the water (Fairhope is on Mobile Bay) and a downtown with unique restaurants and boutiques, it's one of the best places in the state, maybe even in the whole country, to retire. There's a reason that you'll meet generations of families who have never strayed from this no-fuss beach town. ROBBIE CAPONETTO; PROP STYLING: RACHAEL BURROW; HAIR AND MAKEUP: CELINE RUSSELL/ZENOBIA, The Best Places For A Weekend Getaway In Florida, The Best Beach Towns In The South To Visit This Winter, The South's Best Beach Towns For Girlfriend Getaways, The Best Southern Beach Towns For Every Type Of Traveler, The 50 Best Small Towns In The South 2023, 20 Florida Beaches That Could Pass For the Caribbean, The Best Places To Live On The Coast In The South, The 10 Best Weekend Getaways In Texas For The Ultimate Lone Star Trip, Venice Is the Laid-Back Florida Beach Town With Plenty of Personality, The Best Budget Getaways In The South For 2023. 10 of 10 In order to do so, we turned our sites on measuring how each city in Virginia with populations greater than 5,000 voted and contributed to political campaigns in the past several years. All of the top cities for Democrats are in the South Florida region. Sumter is the county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. The city serves as the county seat of Richland County, and a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. Boulder is consistently included in top rankings such as the top happiest cities and the top foodiest town. That left us with 63 cities and towns. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint of South Carolinas coastline and is located on Charleston Harbor, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean formed by the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper rivers. Known for microbrews, biking, caring for the environment, and strip clubs! The wide public beach on Cape Charles is the only one on the area's coastline that offers free entry and parking, with family-friendly waters that are shallow and calm. This creative-minded townit gets along just fine with nearby compatriot Bay St. Louisdraws folks doing interesting things, so watch out for new restaurants and lodging, including stylish boutique hotel The Beatnik and downtown brunch spot Lady May. The popular Pensacola Beach Pier is one of the longest in the Gulf of Mexico, and nearby Gulf Islands National Seashore (the longest stretch of protected seashore in the United States) is an ideal spot for biking, snorkeling, and kayaking. Claremont is known for its arts and culture scene. It is the fourth largest municipality and largest town in South Carolina, and for several years was one of the states fastest-growing areas, doubling in population between 1990 and 2000. With life's stress, hustle, and bustle, people are looking for retreats in quaint and beautiful Florida towns where they can enjoy their time yet vent all their negative energy. History buffs will love strolling the Historic District as they view the Victorian homes and learn about the towns diverse but colorful history. The route to get there, surrounded by turquoise waters for 100 miles, is an adventure in itself. Whether you're into surfing or strolling down the pier, you'll feel the stress of real life practically float away in the salty breeze. It also has numerous museums and theaters to visit such as the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Eugene Science Center. Delray Beach is about 50 miles north of Miami on Florida State Highway A1A. Some even want it to burn down, which disgusts me. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Emporia with surrounding Greensville county for statistical purposes. Let her think whatever the Hell she wants. This beach town has an unrushed pace of life. There are progressive areas in TN, Nashville for one. Get ready for seashell-hunting, long bike rides, Bushwackers, and baskets of fried shrimp. There are several museums to visit like the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology and events to go to like the annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival. For a full-service stay, visit Longboat Key Resort with its private beach and striped cabanas. For that, head to old-school joints like Owen's Fish Camp and Walt's Fish Market Restaurant & Tiki Bar. Here are the South's Best Beach Towns. This beach town along Florida State Road A1A is so laid-back it might as well be reclined on a lounge chair somewhere. Located on Virginia's eastern shore, Cape Charles is an inviting small town with picturesque piers and sidewalks for strolling and biking. A # of Southern people I've met hate the South and left. Its the voters. And while there's a level of sophistication to the boutiques, dining, and nightlife here that feels big-city, it's still compact enough to be considered walkable and quaint. From L.A. and S.F. It probably won't come as a surprise to hear that Florida does exceptionally well in the retirement rankings across the board. All rights reserved. After Hurricane Katrina devastated coastal Mississippi in 2005, the community of beach towns moved towards a long period of recovery. 14 Small Beach Towns In Florida That Are Laid-Back & Low-Key. Now, it's back and more deserving than ever to be included on your upcoming travel list. Population: ~146,600 Opposite of conservative, it is an open-minded and forward-thinking town that initiates movements for a cause and addresses important political and social issues. These 10 small beach towns are a world away from fast-paced locations. Portsmouth is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Beaufort, North Carolina, one of the Southeast's oldest and most charming beach towns, is at the southern tip of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. If they keep their racism to themselves, its just a thought crime, right? It is known as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky Where Arts Alive. Head to Fisher's Upstairs for a half-dozen Alabama oysters. Population: 46,487Percent Democrat: 79.7%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $130.36# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.43More on Charlottesville:Photos |Data. Article continues below. Or at least move to a liberal big city, as the commenter suggested. The deceased woman is believed to have been a . Beauforts ties to the literary world are strong; visiting the Pat Conroy Literary Center (Beaufort was Conroys adopted hometown) or one of the three independent bookstores in town NeverMore Books, McIntosh Book Shoppe, and Beaufort Books is a must for book lovers.