Getting married to your partner is the start of something wonderful. The two of you will soon be able to build the life together that you have in your mind. Still, there will be plenty of challenges along the way. Once the reception is completed and you’ve come back from your honeymoon adventure, you may be curious about what to do next. For many, finding a future home is a logical next step.

Members of the LGBT community often have difficulties with moving because of how unfriendly some cities can be to gays, lesbians, and transgendered individuals. This means it is important for you to do some research on where you will feel the most welcomed. You have the freedom to live anywhere in the country you might like. Sadly, this also might mean having to deal with unpleasant neighbors and increasingly high tensions. Instead of putting yourself in this position, try researching the most friendly cities for members of the LGBT community. This insight can provide you with the direction you need to make a wonderful choice for your future home.

Criteria

Before listing the best cities, you might be curious about what deems a city “friendly” or “unfriendly” for LGBT individuals. Many studies use strict guidelines when measuring the overall quality of a city for specific demographics. This means ranking cities thought to be friendly to the LGBT community will take into account large populations with a specific percentage identifying as gay or lesbian, the number of hate crimes during a given period, and factors such as job quality, health care, nightlife, and other specific categories.

Out West

The western coast of America is known for its progressive people and beautiful landscapes. It comes as no surprise many of the friendliest cities for LGBT individuals can be found out west. If you assumed California would have the top cities across multiple studies, then you’re absolutely correct. San Francisco has long been known as a sanctuary for gays, lesbians, and anyone who does not feel as if they fit in back home. Since the ‘60s, members of the LGBT community have been able to live out loud in San Fran.

California might have amazingly friendly cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, but there are other western spots worth considering. If you and your partner love it out west but aren’t fans of California, you might want to head north. The Pacific Northwest is a region that has become increasingly popular among young Americans finding a future home to live in. Both Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, have become known as prime destinations. These cities are wonderful for creative thinkers, artists, young professionals, and members of the LGBT community.

East and Central

The west might have the most LGBT-friendly cities overall, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the country is lacking. On the east coast, cities like Providence, Rhode Island, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have consistently ranked high for LGBT persons. These spots beat out larger cities like Boston and New York City in multiple studies. This is due to factors like access to relevant healthcare facilities and overall safety. In the central parts of America, spots like Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Texas, have made themselves known as progressive destinations that welcome a diverse population.

Once the wedding bells have faded and you and your partner are ready for your next move in life, it can prove beneficial to consider where you’d like to call home. If you want to find the perfect city, look over the various LGBT-friendly destinations in America and find the right fit for your future.