Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
Whether you’re investigating the idea of moving to LGBT Sedona Arizona – or have already chosen to make this city your next home -, you will find a lot to love about living here. If you’d like to know a little more about this gorgeous desert town and its diverse communities – you have come to the right place!
Sedona has been named one of the country’s most beautiful cities over and over (and over) again by various online publications and reader polls. And there really isn’t any questioning that the scenery in Sedona is beautiful. It features large red rock and limestone forms with green junipers and cactus, Oak Creek Canyon, and all of this is laid against the backdrop of a deep blue sky.
Each year, over four million tourists come to Sedona. However, “How does it feel to live here as a queer person?” you might wonder. Well, we are here to tell you…
The rocks of Sedona might be red, but the town is light blue and those thinking of moving here will find a relaxed city that welcomes all those seeking a progressive, inclusive place for work, play, and family. You are all but guaranteed to find the accepting environment that you or your family need to thrive in.
Like Sioux Falls, Spokane, St. Petersburg, Syracuse and other small to mid-sized cities in the USA, there is a queer scene here but it is much more low-key than say, New York or Los Angeles. This is why a gay realtor in Sedona is worth their weight in gold as they can help you find your new perfect home here in the most queer-friendly neighborhood.
Despite the rather concealed LGBT culture and community here, moving to this haven for spiritual enlightenment and adrenaline junkies shouldn’t make you uncomfortable. The majority of people here are accepting of the LGBTQ community, and you will soon discover most businesses, shops, and services will serve you proudly.
Consider this article to be an LGBT Sedona relocation guide that will help you know what to expect when relocating to this city filled with good vibrations. Leave all of your preconceived notions at the door because moving to LGBT Sedona is not what you think it is.
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Sedona
- Does Sedona Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
- Is Sedona An Expensive City To Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Sedona
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Sedona
- Regular LGBT Events in Sedona
- LGBT Owned Businesses In Sedona
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Sedona
- Finding Gay Realtors In Sedona Arizona
Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Sedona
Residents of Sedona enjoy a suburban-rural mix, with most residents owning their houses. There are several restaurants, parks, and coffee shops in the city. Sedona is home to many retirees and, yes, conservatives, but despite this, there are many highlights of living here.
Sedona residents are well aware that their desert paradise is both a tourist trap and a hidden gem. Once you will live here, you will discover there is plenty of places away from the overcrowded tourist trail and that Sedona is still brimming with culture and beautiful sights just waiting to be discovered.
Almost anything that your heart desires can be found here. There are plenty of things to look forwards to when moving to LGBT Sedona, be it warm weather, charming coffee shops, or Southwest High Desert cuisine.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this unique city before we get into the details.
Outdoor Activities
A quick bike or car ride will take you to picturesque Red Rock Crossing, where you can chill in the sun as you watch the river run, and view a historic Indian ruin. Trout fishing is popular in Oak Creek, and there are a plethora of lakes within a half-hour commute of town. Fishing and boating are popular on the Verde River because it is slower-moving. The area is a mountain biker’s paradise, with many paths and sandstone creek beds.
Exploring the City
Near Sedona, Native ruins preserve relics of two separate cultures that once thrived in the Verde Valley. The Hohokam were the first permanent inhabitants of this area. They were a skilled farming community that settled in the valley around 600 A.D. Corn, squash, beans, and cotton were among the crops they grew and irrigated. They lived on terraced hillsides overlooking their crops in the bottomlands of one-room dwellings composed of poles, wood, and mud.
The Lifestyle
When looking to buy real estate in Sedona, one of the most appealing features is the diversity of the local people. For a municipality of 17,000 residents (in the Greater Sedona district), it’s a cosmopolitan place, with people relocating from all over the country to purchase houses here. Sedona’s way of life has something for almost everyone. It’s a wealthy region, with a rumored thousand or more millionaires. Many celebrities from the entertainment industry have purchased property in Sedona and live quietly amid the red rocks.
Weather
Those moving to Sedona, AZ, from colder climates may appreciate the calming tranquility of a moderate climate. Sedona has four distinct seasons, according to popular belief. The weather is excellent for those who grew up in the colder areas of the country. It’s never been too cold or too hot.
Does Sedona Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Sedona has a staggering 11.8 LGBT couples per 1,000 residents. It’s also renowned as a New Age LGBT sanctuary in Arizona, where everyone is accepted.
Overall, Sedona is considered to be a very safe community. The average crime rate per 100,000 people in the city is 1,364, less than half of the state average of 3,595. Everyone’s safety is crucial, but it’s essential for LGBTQ+ families, who are frequently the victims of violent assault.
Sedona has a violent crime rate of 142 per 100,000, significantly lower than Arizona’s average of 400. Sedona was ranked #2 in the U.S for the most inclusive cities in the country. Sedona’s annual Pride parade, set among historic red rock formations, breathtaking mountain routes, and beautiful river valleys, promotes the whole of Verde Valley’s LGBTQ+ population.
The annual celebration in late September gathers members of the LGBTQ+ community from beautiful Sedona, welcoming Cottonwood and historic Jerome for a community-friendly gathering. The yearly festival attracts visitors from communities across Arizona that host their Pride celebrations, including Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff.
There is no statewide legislation in Arizona that protects LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, or education. On the other hand, the state is making headway, introducing 14 bills and passing one in 2019 deemed suitable for LGBT people by the Human Rights Campaign. Sedona is among the five cities with non-discrimination protections.
In addition, there is no legislation in the state ensuring that transgender people are covered by state Medicaid or aren’t denied coverage. Many crucial legal rights for LGBTQ adolescents are also lacking, including as legally required inclusive sex education in schools and exemption against conversion therapy.
Is Sedona An Expensive City To Move To?
For a single adult in the city, the overall cost of housing, child care, food, health care, transportation, and other needs is $40,676 per year, which is more than the state’s yearly cost of living of $37,080 and the country’s number of $38,430.
Housing
One of the core aspects of the cost of living is housing. The average price of a home in the city is $461,900, which is more than the U.S. median home value of $204,900. In Sedona, 23.10 percent of occupied residences are rented, lower than the U.S. renter rate of 36.2 percent. The average renter in the city pays $1,244 per month, less than the national average of $1,023 per month.
Transportation
A single individual in the city spends $10,740 per year on transportation, which is higher than the U.S. average of $9,760. This includes gas, public transport, and car maintenance.
Food Costs
An adult in Sedona could spend an average of $3,180 on food each year, while a family of four would spend around $9,180.
Healthcare
The average annual cost of health care for an adult residing in the city is $6,800.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Sedona
There are many places to reside in Sedona for those who are looking for a calmer yet still queer-friendly environment – and not all LGBT people will want to stay in the walkable downtown, locally known as Uptown Sedona or the Main Street District. Many in fact will prefer to lose themselves and the world in the privacy of the red rocks.
When moving to LGBTQ Sedona, bear in mind that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun events and activities. By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Discover your delightfully ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly communities in Sedona. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly neighborhood, and facilities you’ll love. Give yourself lots of time to get to know the many different and diverse areas of Sedona, and bare in mind that this city has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!
Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Sedona are and talk about the Sedona gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.
Seven Canyons
Seven Canyons is an upscale gated neighborhood on the outskirts of Sedona. Living in this neighborhood has several advantages, including quiet streets, pleasant neighbors, and various amenities. Seven Canyons offers the ideal combination of elegance and comfort. The homes offer a wide range of floor layouts with varied sizes and features.
These homes, which start at $1.4 million, have 3 – 4 bedrooms and 3.5 -4 bathrooms. Each property includes a walkout patio with amazing views, making it the ideal spot for a peaceful morning coffee or late cocktail.
Seven Canyons is a luxury community with a breathtaking, unspoiled backdrop of the desert, golf course, and Red Rock Formations. Mountain pathways and hiking are easily accessible in this neighborhood. The Brins Mesa Trailhead is nearby, and it features a three-mile mixed-elevation hike with stunning mountain scenery. Long Canyon Trailhead, adjacent to Seven Canyons and provides a range of terrain for biking and hiking, is also nearby.
Red Rock Loop
At Upper Red Rock Loop Road, West Sedona concedes to the Red Rock Loop region, creating a broad, lazy curve south of West State Route 89A on Oak Creek and returns to the highway to the southwest as you go towards Cottonwood.
This region is more rustic and relaxed. There are cozy vacation homes, private estates, and horse properties. Some authentic “old Sedona” residences can be found here. Even though it’s only a few minutes from downtown, it feels like a long way away. It is also home to the famed Red Rock State Park and Red Rock Crossing, which the National Forest encompasses.
Hiking routes abound, and the spectacular views of Cathedral Rock make it a photographer’s dream. Red Rock Loop is an excellent neighborhood for people looking to acquire a vacation home in a more laid-back, rural setting. It’s a little out of the way, but it usually comes with more privacy and acreage. You can easily purchase land to construct your dream property here.
There are also some excellent horse properties in this area. There are various constructions with luxury residences and a handful of private estates in this neighborhood.
Uptown
Uptown Sedona is a beautiful community to consider. It’s located near the bottom of Oak Creek Canyon. You’ll notice that this region contains some of the city’s oldest and most traditional residences. Uptown is the area to live if you want to wake up to spectacular views of the Red Rocks every day. However, this district is also a major tourist site, a disadvantage.
As a result, it is a little more crowded regularly. However, the neighborhood has more restaurants, retail, and entertainment opportunities due to this. It also houses the Sedona Art Center. Uptown Sedona is located north of the crossroads of Highway 179 and Highway 89A.
It’s one of the city’s most important business districts. You’ll discover fantastic restaurants and stores and the offices of various travel firms. A variety of premium hotels are also located here. Uptown is also home to the Sedona chamber of commerce. Homes in this neighborhood are located in peaceful residential districts once you leave the bustling main strip. The Uptown housing market is a terrific option if you want to live near the excitement yet have some tranquility at home.
Uptown offers a wide range of home styles at different price points. For those on a tight budget, modern condos are a terrific option. There are also numerous single-family spaces. In Uptown, you will find custom-built estate-style properties that offer the best in space and luxury. You won’t have to compromise on quality, no matter what option you choose—most Uptown properties, whether older or newer constructions with high-end features and have been thoroughly upgraded.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Sedona
To progress the LGBTQ agenda, the queer community commonly has to rely on donor organizations or non-profits.
Wherever you live, it is imperative that you assist such organizations in any manner you can in order for them to reach out and aid others in the neighborhood. These Sedona LGBT community organizations are some of the best. Every LGBT person has benefited from their tireless labor to secure the advancement and rights we enjoy now being aware of them is good whether you need their help now or potentially in the future.
These are wonderful places to start if you’re looking for LGBTQ groups to join, seek support from, meet new people with or volunteer for a cause you care about.
Sedona Pride prides itself in supporting the LGBTQ community one individual at a time at Sedona Pride. Whether it’s being a companion, loving your family, providing assistance to those in need, or taking a stand where needed, Sedona Pride will offer support in any way. The only goal of Sedona Pride is to ensure their neighbors realize their only agenda is to educate those around them by example through acceptance and friendliness.
PFLAG encourages interactions with each other and the expression of thoughts in a casual, non-judgmental, friendly, and confidential environment. Our vision is to build a healthy, accepting community that values variety and treats everyone with dignity. We remove harmful stereotypes about LGBTQ individuals and tell the truth about those we love.
Through collaboration and education, Unify Sedona encourages acceptance and embraces diversity. We organize discussions about films, theater, speakers, and other events that highlight issues that are important to the LGBTQ}+ community. Unify Sedona cherishes the community’s vitality and aims to establish bridges that connect Sedona and its surrounding areas.
Regular LGBT Events in Sedona
After moving to a new city, you will likely want to create new connections, meet new people, and network. Thankfully, LGBT Sedona plays host to a variety of annual events for lesbians, transgender persons, gays, and anyone else who wants to have a good time.
While there are many queer events in the city, the ones listed here are the largest and greatest and are all worth marking in your calendar as you won’t want to miss them.
The Red Rocks Music Festival is regarded as one of the nation’s best, attracting thousands of people and talented performers from all over the world. It’s a must-see for everyone who enjoys live music, delicious food, excellent beverages, and a good time, all set against the gorgeous landscape of beautiful red rocks.
The Sedona Pride Festival is the city’s yearly LGBTQ+ PRIDE celebration, and it’s one you’ll want to mark on your calendars. This annual event amid the red rocks celebrates the LGBTQ community and features family-friendly activities, vendors, lecturers, excellent performances, great food, and many opportunities to meet new friends!
LGBT Owned Businesses In Sedona
After moving to LGBT Sedona, it’s only natural to want to support queer businesses. One strategy for establishing a safer and more inclusive society is to create a secure environment where people may rest, buy, dine, and connect without fear, and this is exactly what LGBT companies should strive for.
To safeguard the queer community’s survival and success, it is critical to support these initiatives wherever you are. When you shop locally, you put in a personal investment in your city and community. Here’s a short list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Sedona you can invest in with your pink dollars…
Violettes Bakery Cafe is a popular outdoor café where residents gather for different meals, pastries, or early morning socializing. Their menu consists entirely of handcrafted, fresh cuisine and pastries produced from the finest ingredients.
In 2010 October, friends Jet Tennant and Shane Smith partnered up to open and run the Red Rooster Cafe. Their cafe became a local favorite in Old Town over time. Jet and Shane resolved to pursue different journeys on their own in 2015. However, the end wasn’t near as Shane’s uncle Jim came in to help Shane run the cafe.
Starlight Pines B&B is a welcoming bed and breakfast in Sedona. The B&B features spacious rooms, clawfoot bathtubs, and crackling fires. Starlight Pines is a Victorian-style house located among the pines on the slopes of Mt. Elden in Arizona.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Sedona
Sedona will offer you small-town living with the conveniences of a tourism economy that attracts 3 million visitors per year. You’ll find different shops you need for everyday products or services and a thriving non-profit community offering services, events, programs, and volunteer activities.
Remember that life is what you make it, and wherever (or if ever) you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Sedona, we wish you the freedom and security you deserve. Living in a gay-friendly area, visiting nearby LGBT businesses and events, and joining queer community groups and sports teams are always the best methods to discover more about LGBT Sedona.
We guarantee that if you follow these recommendations, moving to LGBT Sedona will be less difficult for you and that you’ll quickly find like-minded individuals with whom to establish your new chosen family.
Finding Gay Realtors In Sedona Arizona
When searching for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Sedona is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when undertaking one of life’s most important transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes. Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) continue to believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often express feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt. Everyone deserves a gratifying, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being sufficiently represented, and this is why we feel you should engage a gay realtor to help you in finding your perfect future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be knowledgeable about the diverse communities in their area and understand which ones may be best suited to you when searching for a home. That’s not to say heterosexual realtors are not competent, but they’ve probably never had to handle many of the issues LGBT people face. Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors perform extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Sedona – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral. Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Sedona to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more. Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
