# Would you buy a house in a Black, Gay, or Asian Community? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 28, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570 "2005-03-28T05:45:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/21 "2005-03-28T07:46:21Z")
Sampiro’s right, Abbie: There are gay Republicans. Mostly folks who think lower taxes and gun ownership are important enough to belong to a party that largely regards them as abominations unto the Lord. Anyway, I wouldn’t mind living in a predominantly black, gay, Asian, or otherwise neighborhood. In fact, I think it’d be interesting to live in a neighborhood full of gay Republican Inuits. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/22 "2005-03-28T07:47:18Z")
> [@Abbie Carmichael](#): > > Black/Asian/any other race? Why not, if I like the house and the price is right? > > Gay neighborhood? With _my_ politics? No, because I wouldn’t be welcome there. Can you elaborate on this. Also, do your politics put you at odds with Blacks(considering most of us are liberal/democrats)? ---
**Author:** ![dangergene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@dangergene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangergene)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/23 "2005-03-28T08:02:38Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > Where should it be? I really don’t quite get where to place some of these things. If a mod thinks it should be someplace else, please feel free to move it. > > Also, if any of you would like to elaborate on your answers, I would appreciate it. For example, why do you think it’s an issue for other people? Same comment as **Monstre** , this feels more like an IMHO. My answer, well… my location bar doesn’t show it, but I’m in Singapore which is supposed to be 77% ethnic chinese, and then Malay, Indian and ‘other’. I identify outwardly as ‘white’ (whatever that means\*) but I’m mixed. The wife is ethnically chinese, as is most of our apartment block. However, there’s a good mix of Malay and Indian in the block and the neighbourhood, and a surprisingly high number of mixed relationships in our block alone (not a common thing here). So when we were looking for a place, is wasn’t the cultural or social mix of the neighbourhood, it was the physical quality of the flat that we chose. (\*years back we had a Western Russian woman join the team. Blonde hair, fair skin. The response, almost en masse, was “wow, you can be friends, cos you’re both ‘ang moh’ (slang for ‘white guys’)”. It took some degree of explaining for me to communicate to the office that I probably had more in common with them (as South East Asians and my colleagues of many years) than I did with this woman from Russia. But they wouldn’t have a bar of it, cos we were both ‘white’). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/24 "2005-03-28T08:21:06Z")
> [@Tentacle Monster](#): > > In fact, I think it’d be interesting to live in a neighborhood full of gay Republican Inuits. Reminds me of Silent Filmdom’s least successful sequel, _Nanook of Piedmont Park_ (about the founding of Atlanta’s Log Igloo Republican chapter) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/25 "2005-03-28T08:28:27Z")
There are gay communities? I had no idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a thing. Or maybe I just wouldn’t recognise it as it would look just the same as anywhere else. I’d live in any community that I would feel comfortable in. Asian communities would be difficult, as they tend to not speak english very well, which would bother me a lot I think. But a gay community, assuming that it’s not crime ridden or something, would be okay. Well, as I live alone they might think I’m gay too, I suppose. That could be awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/26 "2005-03-28T09:05:18Z")
Well, I just bought two condo’s in a black community both at 15K a piece. Assuming I can keep them occupied (AT least most of the time) I’ll have these suckers paid off in four years or under. Then after I get them paid off I’ll just use the rent I charge for my retirement fund. (Or pay for the kids college… _grumble…grumble_…) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/27 "2005-03-28T09:14:55Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > There are gay communities? I had no idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a thing. Or maybe I just wouldn’t recognise it as it would look just the same as anywhere else. They are usually in large cities- most medium sized cities and smaller don’t have enough of an open population to merit one. Midtown lofts and reclaimed older areas tend to be by far the most popular sites (one reason being that most gays are either singles or half of a Dual Income No Children (DINC) couple and thus the fact the area is zoned for inner city schools or has too much traffic for kids to safely play isn’t an issue. Generally the only difference is just a major upswing in the number of openly gay couples in restaurants, supermarkets and other businesses and perhaps a higher number of gay bars or gay bookstores. There will probably be more rainbow flags in windows or on cars than in most areas (and of course there are the IKEA delivery trucks). Some gay people are not fans of the “gay ghettos” as they feel it encourages separatism from mainstream America- it’s not uncommon for gays who live in these enclaves [especially the younger ones who’ve come there from repressive backgrounds] to have exclusively gay friends, interests and sensibilities. Others feel that they provide a major service: a safe zone (though arguably you’re statistically more likely to be the victim of a homophobic hate crime in a predominantly gay area than in an average neighborhood) where people can express the physical demonstration that straight people take for granted (being able to hold hands in a restaurant or kiss a partner’s cheek while shopping for ball gags) and where you can concentrate enough of a gay population in a small zone to force local city and state politicians to take notice of you and court your vote. (Any official elected to represent the Piedmont Park/Midtown area of Atlanta in the city council or state legislature could hang it up if they took a rabid anti-gay stance.) Personally I’m mixed but basically believe “do you rresearch and live where you feel like”. As for the awkwardness aspect you mentioned, the vast majority of gay people will accept “I’m straight” as enough of a response- you’ll meet the occasional assh\*le who won’t know when to quit but that happens in the Muggl… um… straight world as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/28 "2005-03-28T09:28:00Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > There are gay communities? I had no idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a thing. Or maybe I just wouldn’t recognise it as it would look just the same as anywhere else. Seeing as there’s about fifty gay-pride flags of varying designs, a couple of gay bars, and three antique stores\* on the main street of my town, you’d notice, if you passed through. And that’s not even looking at the citizenry. \*I’m not exaggerating. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/29 "2005-03-28T11:52:33Z")
Well, all my properties happen to be in 99.99% Chinese communities. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/30 "2005-03-28T12:09:54Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > First, assume the house in in a good neighborhood with good schools, low taxes, and is reasonably priced. Also assume that it suits your needs, and fulfills your desires in every other aspect. The only thing is that you would be in the minority in terms of races/orientation. Would this be an issue for you? No it wouldn’t be an issue to me, as I already live in such a community, where I am the minority. All my neighbors are white. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/31 "2005-03-28T13:24:32Z")
I have no idea weather any of my neighbors are Black, Gay or Asian. I bought a house that suited me, with a track of land for privacy. Wanting privacy, I pretty much give it to my neighbors. But if any of them are Black, Gay or Asian or if all of them were, I wouldn’t care, as long as I got the privacy that I am seeking. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/32 "2005-03-28T14:22:01Z")
This doesn’t seem to be about arts or entertainment, so I’m moving it from Cafe Society forum to the forum called “In My Humble Opinion” since it seems to be asking for opinions. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/33 "2005-03-28T14:33:17Z")
Black, it would depend, because my experiences with them lead me to think loud music. Asian: Why not? Although the wonderful food would make me jealous. Gay: Sure. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/34 "2005-03-28T15:09:30Z")
I would not move into a gay community because I would not want to be the least cultured, most shabbily dressed man on my block with the worst interior decor. Just kidding 🙂 Or am I? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/35 "2005-03-28T15:22:47Z")
I would rather not have neighbors at all. But as long as they are quiet, didn’t let their pets roam the neighborhood to shit in yards, kill shrubery with urine, and kill songbirds, and kept decent care of their lawn. I don’t care what they are. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/36 "2005-03-28T16:03:14Z")
I have been the token straight/Anglo/white in a number of the communities I have lived. I kind of enjoy it although I feel kind of like a thorn among roses at times. My wife and I have often gotten invited to community (or block) activities and bring food and stuff that just doesn’t seem to measure up. I hate to reenforce sterotypes but once in Denver when we were in a mostly gay area there was block party that we brought some sort of covered dish to and I really felt that when we left the gay population was saying, “That straight couple is nice but somebody really has to teach straight people to cook.” I really wanted to go from table to table saying, “It’s not because we’re straight. We’re just lousy cooks.” ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/37 "2005-03-28T16:33:35Z")
Yes, if I could afford a house 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/38 "2005-03-28T16:39:38Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > It would matter to me more what the economic status of the neighborhood was more than the ethnic makeup. Well, economic as it ties into violent and property crime rates. I’d much, much rather live in a middle class black neighborhood that was safe than a white neighborhood with crack houses and daily muggings. As for the gay neighborhood, sign me up, baby! Most neighborhoods with a predominance of gay people tend to have strong community ties, artistic ties, and the property values just go up. Don’t know so much about Asian neighborhoods, but I can’t think of anything I’d object to, off the top of my head. I’m pretty much with **phouka** , except that I probably wouldn’t move into a predominantly Indian neighborhood, being Indian, and my fiance wouldn’t want to move into a Chinese neighborhood, being Chinese. They tend to be quite nosy about their own people, and we really like our privacy and don’t like people dropping in at odd hours. ---
**Author:** ![gfloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d2c977/32.png) [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/39 "2005-03-28T17:24:17Z")
I’d be cool with any neigborhood that had a house I could afford and was safe enough. I’ve always wanted a community to live in, not the quintessential suburia my parents live in where no one knows anyone. I lived in a shared house with entirely Asian people this summer. The only issue was that my landlord spoke next to no English. That’s my new goal, a landlord I can understand. That’s all I’d care about. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570/40 "2005-03-28T17:35:05Z")
My wife and I (we’re black) are looking to buy sometime in the next year. We like out current neighborhood which is really mixed (roughly 50% black, 30% white with asians and latinos making up the rest). We won’t be moving to a predominately black area, because my wife feels strongly about it. Personally as long as it’s a large house with plenty of privacy, I’ll take it. If it’s sufficiently far enogh to make family dropins inconvenient, that would be a plus. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-house-in-a-black-gay-or-asian-community/296570.md?page=3)