What are the most spiritually diverse areas of the U.S.?

Question

I currently live in Utah as a non-Mormon. I'm originally from NY, and lived in Arizona as well. I would like to move someplace without the extreme weather, but that has cultural and religious diversity like I found in NY and AZ. For example, in NY, I was raised Catholic, my best friend was a Methodist, I went to prom with a Mormon and the gay guy in my Spanish class was a Jew. I want to live someplace where a mix like that doesn't get a second glance. Thoughts?

Edited to add that I'm seriously looking for someplace to move, and I'm not a millionaire, so Cali is out, as is the Pacific Northwest, I guess. I'm looking for an affordable, family friendly place to raise my kids.

Answer 1

I'm a Christian, living in the Midwest. I grew up in the Seattle area (actually about 30 miles outside of Seattle).

From my perspective, I think the Pacific NW has an amazing diversity of just about everything. Scenery, culture, food, religion, etc.

For the most part, folks in the Seattle area are fairly open to just about anything, as long as it doesn't impact nature.

My advice if you visit is, don't drive a car with California plates, and don't litter.

God bless.
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edit: I live outside of Chicago in a very, very churchy area. We just visited one of our Northern neighbors, Wisconsin. Madison is a college town, and it seems to be on the liberal side of the conservative Midwest. I don't much about the local economy, but I will say that buying a place can range in the low 100's to millions. The surrounding area is pretty, and seems very comfortable with folks of different views. 'The Dells' are close buy, as is 'The House On the Rock' which is close to Frank Lloyd Wrights old school and property - I think they're in the Spring Green area.

Answer 2

I second California - we catch a lot of flack - but at the end of the day, there are so many people willing to live and let live, it is a joy to experience. I have lived around too, and I am here for good now.
San Diego, the bay area, Northern Cali. - L.A. has it's moments, but there is more surface judgment there than pretty much anywhere else in CA. But it still beats the mid west hands down any day.

edit - think about the central coast of CA - like San Luis Obispo - it is a great family vibe, and not crazy expensive.

Answer 3

Many metropolitan areas in the Northeast, California and Chicago area are very religiously diverse and now you can find communities of almost anything in most large city areas anwhere in The US, Canada and Britain.
If you don't want extreme weather, try San Francisco with everything from Shinto to Zoroastrianism.

Answer 4

San Francisco first came to mind, but it's damn expensive. Seattle? A beautiful town, swell people, and I should think diversity pretty well crosses the spectrum. Asians from a dozen different countries--food, faith, history, custom, POV. Another 'up' town is Vancouver, British Columbia. In my mind it's the most beautiful city in North America. Stay out of the South--religious diversity ain't its thing.

Answer 5

California. They worship money there, not God.

I would also suggest Las Vegas, NV BUT it is 120 degrees outside so I'm sure that counts as extreme weather! :o)

Answer 6

Just stay out of the bible belt.

The coasts are going to be the most diverse, including atheists.

Answer 7

seattle is very diverse. we have mormons, various christian denominations, buddhist, hindus, jain, sikhs and stuff i never heard of before i got here. For the most part it is a peaceful co-existence

Answer 8

Sorry but the Pacific NW is the most liberal.