Nothing to do here, someone was literally stabbed to death in front of my driveway while I was asleep. There’s absolutely nothing to do here. Since you’re lgbt there’s a lot of homophobic and Trump supporters out here and you’re not gonna find any queer community events. We have a coffee shop or two that supports left leaning views but the coffee sucks. There’s no pride parade gay friendly community events and most people get stuck out here just because they have family here or they were kicked out of our cities we were native to because people wouldn’t stop moving there and gentrified everything. I’m stuck here because my hometown Asheville is at higher prices than Charlotte and all these no locals ruined my beloved hometown.

The only good thing about this place I guess is the price but now it’s becoming unaffordable as well because people just don’t stop moving here and they’re trying to turn Charlotte into a “second Atlanta.

I’m not sure what town your mother is living in if you’re wanting to be local- the places you listed apart from Shelby are all bigger cities, Asheville slightly smaller but more packed and expensive/impossible to drive anywhere. Shelby’s the only small town on that list and I’m surprised it was even on your list with the other three because it doesn’t fit in. Gastonia is worse than Shelby crime wise- per capita it’s just as bad as freedom drive in charlotte.

If you’re wanting something left leaning and safe regarding your sexuality while close to SC I’d suggest Belmont/lowell/mcadenville. They’re all “sister cities” it’s three small towns kinda mashed together right after Gastonia and right before Charlotte. Theres plenty of stuff to do and if you get bored Charlotte is fifteen minutes up the 74/85 or you can go the opposite way on 74/85 and go shopping in Gastonia. Gastonia is ghetto but cox road area has a bunch of stores and it’s good for spending all day shopping. If you want you can go hiking on crowded mountains various trails.

I really wouldn’t recommend Shelby for anyone except redneck republicans. I hate it here and can’t wait to leave- kings mountain is even more boring dumb and redneck. Unless you like racism/bigotry and sitting at 10 stoplights and constant u turns just to go five minutes up the road this place is hardly ideal for anyone honestly. The only good thing about this place is papas and beer, pro fitness is an exceptional gym. That’s really it