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.
Who wouldn’t want to move to LGBT Palm Springs, with its laid-back attitude, breathtaking stunning scenery, and 300+ days of sunshine each year? This city’s quality of life is indisputable, regardless of who you love or what brings you to this oasis.
Whether you’re exploring a local hiking trail, teeing off at one of the 100+ golf courses, or enjoying the city’s many world-class resorts, attractions, restaurants, and spas, you will be able to relax here. If you’re planning on moving to LGBT Palm Springs, we’ve put together all the information you need.
Despite what many might think, Palm Springs is not just for vacations either, and many LGBT people now choose to live and even retire here. We can’t blame them as Palm Springs now has on of the highest concentration of gay couples of any major US city!
And did we mention a tight-knit queer community?
Yes, just like in Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Provincetown and other fabulously gay US cities, there is also an enthusiastic LGBT scene here, and this is something a gay realtor in Palm Springs can help you navigate as you find your new perfect home here.
If you ask anyone in Palm Springs which neighborhoods are safe for gays, they will tell you “Honey…this whole city is gay-friendly!”, and in our experience, this is entirely true! Most LGBT would-be-residents, however, do opt to live closer to a few areas like the Movie Colony or Uptown Design District where gays frequently outnumbered straights.
Think of this article as a queer Palm Springs relocation guide that will help you understand what you’re getting yourself into when moving to this beautiful city. If you need a more nightlife and travel-focused guide detailing all the LGBT clubs, parties, and more, check out our Gay Palm Springs Guide!
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights of Moving to LGBTQ Palm Springs
- Does Palm Springs Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
- Is Palm Springs An Expensive City to Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Palm Springs
- Annual LGBT Events In Palm Springs
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Palm Springs
- LGBT-Owned Businesses In Palm Springs
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Palm Springs
- Finding Gay Realtors In Palm Springs California
Highlights of Moving to LGBTQ Palm Springs
Palm Springs residents are well aware that their city is a tourist mecca – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t filled with hidden gems. It is brimming with culture and beautiful sights just waiting to be discovered.
Securing a relocation here will also allow you to meet others with similar interests, thanks to a quirky yet highly involved LGBT culture, which includes more than a few fantastic queer spots of interest in the city’s most popular neighborhoods. While Palm Springs has a track record for being a haven for well-off gay men, you can be sure Palm Springs will welcome you, no matter your age or where you are on the LGBTQ spectrum.
Almost anything that your heart desires can be found here. There are plenty of things to look forwards to when moving to LGBT Palm Springs, be it entertaining clubs, charming coffee shops, or boozy brunch haunts.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible city before we get into the details.
Gorgeous, Gorgeous Homes
Palm Springs real estate is available in a variety of styles, and whether it’s ultra-modern or art deco, there’s something for everyone. While there is always something bigger-and-better (and just out of reach of your budget) we have found there are plenty of iconic gems and finds available – and at competitive prices compared to many other queer-centric US cities!
Palm Springs Is A Tourist Town
Residents of Los Angeles enjoy taking the two-hour drive to Palm Springs on weekends. There’s plenty to do in this city, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of L.A. is a treat. You ought to be aware that from Thanksgiving to the end of April, the entire valley transforms into a Snowbird Wonderland. Despite having a large number of visitors, this city has no major traffic jams!
The Real Estate Is Booming
The housing market in this city is hot, and assets aren’t on the market for long. Real estate professionals here sell an average of 1 house every five days. Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Indio, Palm Desert, and La Quinta are part of the Coachella Valley. You can find a suitable home in one of these neighborhoods for around $350,000. Houses on fee land in Palm Springs are a favorite because they have no HOA fees, have solar panels, and in-ground heated pools, and a spa. Additionally, they come with exceptional mountain views!
Winter Events
Palm Springs maintains its pace for the winter, as evidenced by the city’s event calendar. All through the winter, there are numerous festivals to attend. The Villagefest Street Festival is a weekly Thursday evening festival Downtown where entertainers, artisans, shops, and restaurants display their samples and wares to the general public.
Make sure you take some time off to attend this event. Palm Desert First Weekend, a widely known annual event in neighboring Palm Desert, is also a popular annual event. It’s a free event with street art, live entertainment, and food samples that attracts a large crowd, with many of its merry-makers coming from Palm Springs, which is much more densely populated.
Does Palm Springs Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
People seem to ignore Palm Springs’s diversity. While it has long been known as a haven for retirees seeking a first-class lifestyle at a lower cost, the city has recently seen an influx of new residents, including celebrities and young couples. The city is also a harbinger of equality for the LGBTQ community. For more than a century, Palm Springs has become the go-to destination for famous LGBT people.
This city, only two hours from L. A, has contributed more to LGBT history than many of its larger neighbors. This is due to its history as a hangout for wealthy and well-known LGBT celebrities. All through Hollywood’s Golden Age, most of the old studios owned contracts for many entertainers.
The studios were fiercely protective of their celebrities, enforcing a slew of job specifications, such as morality clauses and the stipulation that they maintain a two-hour drive of L. A. Palm Springs is the farthest point they could transit, and it grew into a private haven for performers looking for a break. Many well-known LGBT actors traveled to the city in order to avoid being outed and consequently losing their jobs.
As a result, the city became the Golden Hollywood era’s destination. Palm Springs grew into a retirement destination for entertainers who wanted to retire from the spotlight and live a more peaceful life. It had a solid reputation as an LGBTQ-friendly location by the 1970s – 1980s.
Palm Springs is also a less expensive option than San Francisco and New York City, so many LGBT people chose the city as their retirement home. Today, roughly half of Palm Springs’ locals over the age of 55 identify as LGBT. The gay community in here has always been politically active, and LGBTQ people are involved in local government. The city, however, elected its first all-LGBT administration in 2018, with each member of the city council belonging to the LGBT community.
Is Palm Springs An Expensive City to Move To?
While housing is less expensive in Palm Springs, the city’s cost of living is a different story. Renting a condominium or an apartment is also expensive. Palm Springs cost of living is slightly over 131 on a scale of 100. This places it slightly above the national average. Renting an apartment is also more expensive than the country’s average.
Housing: Housing is the most major cause of Palm Springs’ high cost of living. Buying a home in this area is not for the weak-hearted, with a median home price of nearly $416,000 dollars, nearly double the U.S average of $232,000. Surprisingly, the city doesn’t come close to California‘s median housing cost at 139 percent higher than the U.S average. Still, if you’re relocating to Palm Springs and want to purchase a home, you’ll require a substantial sum of money. Many people rent a storage unit to allow them to take their time while house hunting in Palm Springs.
Utilities: Palm Spurs’ utility costs aren’t outrageous, but they’re also not cheap. However, the weather here is pleasant for the majority of the year and you won’t need heating often. Since it gets hot here during the summer thanks to the dry desert heat, you will need to bring ample air conditioning. For the better part of the year, this means higher electricity costs.
Food and groceries: Groceries in the city aren’t prohibitively expensive. They’re also not cheap, but at 99/100, you won’t have to empty your wallet. Due to the fact that groceries are one of the most major expenses for many families, not having to pay exorbitant prices for them is greatly appreciated.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Palm Springs
When relocating to LGBT Palm Springs, there are a few areas you should know about as they are close to the queer community, allowing you to conventionally pull your U-Haul up to your new house in a gay-friendly neighborhood or part of town.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer person manifesting a liberal neighborhood with facilities you’ll cherish, start with these top gay and gay-friendly Palm Springs neighborhoods to discover your perfect new home, each with its own distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Palm Springs’s diverse personalities, and remember that this city offers something for everyone – LGBTQ or not!
If it all seems a little overwhelming, you should speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more nuanced and up-to-date understanding of the best options available to you.
Most areas in this city would welcome you, but let’s take a look at where the more fabulous gay areas in Palm Springs are and talk about the Palm Springs gayborhood where you might feel most at home!
The Movie Colony
The Movie Colony, aka TMC, is a neighborhood in the heart of the city, located just a short walk from the downtown area. The district was once highly favored by Hollywood’s biggest stars—stories abound of extravagant parties and celebrations held inside TMC’s mansions. Twin Palms villa, owned by Frank Sinatra was named “party central” during the 1950s.
It is the most popular residence in this neighborhood and according to legend, Frank Sinatra planted a flag bearing the Jack Daniels logo on his front lawn. It was said that whenever he raised it, a party was planned for that evening. Many homes are hidden from view by elegant landscaping and walls, as they were once home to celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, and Cary Grant.
This neighborhood was founded during the 1930s and 1940s. The majority of the houses were built in mid-century modern architecture and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Ruth Hardy Park, which has tennis courts, picnic areas, and jogging trails is one of the many green spaces surrounding TMC.
Andreas Hills
Andreas Hills is a neighborhood in Palm Springs’ southern area. There’s a nice balance of some very affordable bungalows and multi-million-dollar estate homes in this neighborhood. The area appeals to a broad range of homebuyers.
They range from first-time homebuyers to those seeking the perfect luxury home. This neighborhood is a fine place to begin if you want to construct your dream home. If you prefer a home in a gated community or a condo, you will discover a variety of options here.
The Agua Caliente Indian Reservation will encompass you and you’ll also have access to multiple hiking trails that lead to breathtaking views. The splendor of Downtown, where you can find all your dining, shopping, and entertainment needs, is only a few minutes away from most homes in this neighborhood.
Uptown Design District
If you’re looking to indulge in some retail therapy, this area along North Palm Canyon Drive is buzzing with everything from clothing boutiques, to home furnishings stores, and art galleries. The Design District is the heart of the fashion industry.
The Shops at 1345 is a one-of-a-kind collection of 14 galleries and shops housed in a building designed by Stewart Williams. Here, you will find a gem of creativity, like the Double M Pottery, known for being the location of where artist Mary McDonald sells ceramic items such as pots made in her home studio.
You can also welcome to visit Alcazar Hotel, a stylish estate located in the center of Uptown Design District, after some retail therapy. During the evening, the district lights up, and you’ll enjoy a selection of restaurants and bars serving inventive cuisine. If you’re with your furry pet, you’re welcome to pay a visit to Boozehounds, the latest addition to the dining scene that offers a special menu for dogs.
Indio
Indio is very popular for hosting the Stagecoach and Coachella music festivals. Even so, there are numerous reasons to live here, including during the spring. At this time, the Empire Polo Grounds are not in use for the festivals, so you can enjoy polo matches each week.
Indio, which began in 1876 as a railroad town that later grew into an agricultural community, also became the first incorporated city in the Coachella Valley. Also known as the “City of Festivals,” the neighborhood hosts the International Tamale Festival each December, where participants can try unusual flavors like chocolate cherry tamales.
Agricultural production in the area, which includes crops such as onions, bell peppers, and citrus, remains a major economic force in the area. Indio is particularly well-known for its capacity to produce dates from date palms that have been transplanted from the Middle East. Presently, the Eastern Coachella Valley’s date fields produce nearly all of dates consumed in the country.
Annual LGBT Events In Palm Springs
After moving to a new city, you will likely want to create new connections, meet new people, and network. Thankfully, LGBT Palm Springs 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.
A marvelous Pride festival is held annually in March in the adjoining region of Cathedral City (in the Greater Palm Springs area). This fun, camp and queer celebration mean every 6 months there is a Pride in Palm Springs, giving you two chances to get in on the festivities. Expect drag and musical performances, plenty of outdoor dancing, community booths, pool parties and outrageous costumes including glitzy outfits and sky-high wigs.
The largest and most famous girl party music festival in the world! Celebrate. Unite. Empower. Live out loud. The simple but daring concept, of creating a lesbian world within the city, catapulted the Dinah to international fame back in the 1990s and today, The Dinah, is considered the world’s largest lesbian event and is still held annually in April at different venues around Palm Springs.
Coachella
Also held in April, we don’t want to support an event owned by a very anti-LGBT billionaire but this very gay-popular music festival is known for having the biggest music acts on Earth and is a party like no other. Much like visiting Indonesia, Abu Dhabi or Budapest with their sad history of gay rights, the choice to go to Coachella is up-to-you. If you decide to go, however, rest assured you will find hoards of exceptionally attractive shirtless gay men, sun-soaked grassy fields, rainbow flags and more modern gay icons than we could count. Enough said really…
Held annually in this infamous concoction of men, music, and muscles promises to be a weekend you will never, ever forget. Organized by the “the high priest of gay parties”, Jeffrey Sanker is at the forefront of modern gay dance parties and known for his New Year’s Eve celebrations in Los Angeles, Miami & Rio de Janeiro, the Puerto Vallarta White Party and the One Mighty Party at Orlando’s Gay Days, but nowhere is Sanker’s trademark extravaganza for renown than the annual. White Party Palm Springs. Today one of the nation’s largest gay dance music festivals, attracting more than 30,000 attendees from every corner of the globe. World-class DJs reign supreme on the packed dance floors and bronzed bodies and abs galore turn the pool parties into one unforgettable hot mess. The White Party Palm Springs just needs to be seen to be believed
An annual LGBT film festival held in September in Palm Springs. While it doesn’t quite make our list of the best gay film festivals around the world, it provides an important outlet for local and international queer stories and draws those interested more in cultures and arts than raging all-night parties.
Held annually in October, this festive 4-day event is where like-minded leather enthusiasts can enjoy vendor markets, leather education seminars, dance parties, clothing-optional pool parties, and the annual Mr. Palm Springs Leather Contest. It is one of the biggest and longest-running gay leather parties in the USA, having been established in the 1990s and is still going strong.
Palm Springs Pride Parade and Festival
Held over one weekend every November, this fabulous Pride celebration is packed full of parties, festivals, and live music, and is not to be missed. The fun equal rights march and diversity celebration with plenty of queer spirit focused on promoting the history, diversity and future prosperity of the Greater Palm Springs LGBT community. Let your freak flag fly here – and book accommodation well, well in advance.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Palm Springs
To progress the LGBTQ agenda, the queer community commonly has to rely on donor organizations or non-profits.
Wherever you live, it’s critical that you support such groups in any way you can so that they can reach out and aid others in the community. You might even need their assistance right or at some point in the future – and no matter what, every queer person has benefited from their tireless work to achieve the progress and rights we have today. Here are some outstanding community LGBT organizations in Palm Springs.
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.
The LGBT Community Center Of The Desert
The LGBT Center is a hive of activity in a city with such a large gay population as Palm Springs. The center, located on North Palm Canyon, provides a range of services, such as support groups, mental health programs, queer events, and social engagements in the Coachella Valley.
Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is a group of gay men. The group, which began in 1999 with a team of only 24 men, has significantly grown over the years. Throughout the year, the chorus puts on performances and concerts for a range of audiences.
The organization celebrates, serves, supports, informs, connects, and entertains the vibrant and diverse community of LGBT literature creators and supporters. Writers, readers, booksellers, agents, educators, librarians, distributors, and others will find useful information on their new website.
LGBT-Owned Businesses In Palm Springs
After moving to LGBT Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs you can invest in with your pink dollars…
Just Fabulous is one of the city’s hippest independent stores. This hip shop sells coffee table books, greeting cards, candles, calendars, music, and home décor goods, among other things. The store has a unique vibe, and often holds celebrity book signings.
Black Book Bar is a fixture on the gay scene around Palm Springs; it’s a great place to hang out and grab some drinks before heading out for a night and do both great snack food and more filling options. The interior of the bar is monotone, with black floors, tables and chairs. The drinks shelve behind the bar light the place up, but if you’re eating or getting drinks here in the day, it’s worth grabbing a seat outside in the incredible Palm Spring’s sunshine. When the sun sets, the bar really comes alive and inside builds a great atmosphere.
Q Trading
Q Trading, located near Gear Leather, specializes in videos, books, and gifts geared toward a queer audience. The vast book collection at Q Trading includes novels, biographies, classics, and new releases. The vast book collection at Q Trading includes novels, biographies, classics, and new releases.
Your go-to spot in Palm Springs for world-class piercing and body modification expertise, excellent customer service, and the highest quality body jewelry for many types of piercings. This piercing shop also offers a great selection of fine jewelry, clothing, and accessories.
Queertique is an LGBTQ+ lifestyle shop that focuses on unique art, vintage and apparel goods, and more from mainly independent queer artists. You’re welcome to take a selfie in their opulent extra-large dressing room then tag them.
Palm Springs takes the crown in the US for clothing-optional gay resorts and this one is a great example of why. Upon entering this idyllic resort, you immediately feel all your cares slip away. With hammocks swinging under palm trees, a spacious pool area with views of the San Jacinto Mountains and an outdoor fire pit, you know that you’re going to have a relaxing stay. The large, air-conditioned rooms confirm this initial impression. Every need is catered for and many have French doors onto private terraces or seating areas. Come with a special someone for a romantic treat and enjoy your men-only retreat under the California sun.
Big Men, Small Men, All Men are welcome at this boutique store nestled in the heart of Arenas Road offering men’s fashion, jewelry, home accessories, and gifts. Run by Philip and Bruce whose purpose is to bring fashion and style to all in our community, recognizing that not all can have the “perfect body” and that some people actually prefer a more mature and robust body type.
Sake Tasting @ Wabi Sabi Japan Living
Allow these boys to delight and surprise you with their extensive knowledge of each Sake, accompanied by hilarious stories and photos of their trips to each brewery – each of which adds to the experience. At the very least you will leave with a deeper sense of what sake actually is (hint it’s not just hot and bold) and a desire to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama ..hell, all of Japan after this tasting! The taste experience here is only possible due to the creators Darrell and Osamu’s unique passion for Japan, so if you want to learn more about the country and the drinks feel free to ask them. They love questions! Ultimately Wabi-Sabi Japan Living aims to be a little home for Japanese culture in Palm Spring, and we would say they are doing pretty great so far…
Hosting the popular Boy’s Night Out Fridays with wonderfully inventive Pan-Asian cuisine that evolves into the Bearculese dance factory event going until 2 am. Award-winning, community giving and with a top-shelf Happy Hour – this is the perfect spot for relaxed drinks with friends that transitions to an all-out party later at night. There are also drag brunches and dinners on Saturday nights with RuPaul Drag Race minions, bringing some Gay Vegas showgirl realness to town.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Palm Springs
There’s no doubt that Palm Springs is a queer-loving city with lots of safe neighborhoods, outdoor activities, and much more to offer. Here, you will find a welcoming community that’s ready to welcome you to your new home!
Keep in mind that life is what you make it, and wherever you choose to begin your new life in gay Palm Springs, we hope you find the openness and security you deserve. The surest way to discover LGBT Palm Springs is always going to be living in a gay-friendly neighborhood by frequenting local LGBT businesses and events and joining queer community groups and sports teams.
We promise that if you follow these steps, your transition to LGBT Palm Springs will be easier, and you’ll rapidly meet like-minded people to build your new chosen family here.
Finding Gay Realtors In Palm Springs California
When looking for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are several reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Palm Springs is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when it relates to 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 describe feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt. Everyone deserves a pleasant, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, and this is why we feel you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in finding your future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be familiar with the diverse communities in their area and know which ones may be best suited to you when looking for a home. That’s not to say a heterosexual realtor isn’t capable, but they’ve probably never had to address 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 conduct extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be difficult to locate professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Palm Springs, 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. 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 Palm Springs 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 choose the one who is right for you. It’s critical that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exciting occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
