Pleasant Ridge In Top 10 For Same-Sex Couples

PLEASANT RIDGE (WWJ) - The southeast Michigan community of Pleasant Ridge is among America's top 10 cities for same-sex couples, with 60 per 1,000 according to new figures from the Census Bureau.

Sue Sandtviet, a long-time resident, isn't surprised by the trend she says goes back at least 15 years.

"This has been a friendly neighborhood, as well as Ferndale, I believe, for same-sex couples for a long time, and it's worked out well," Sandtviet told WWJ Newsradio 950's Ron Dewey.

Joe Bruckner, who has lived in Pleasant Ridge for nine years, said the community is an attractive location for anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.

"There are a few people we know that live on this street," said Bruckner. "They're very nice. Their properties are very nice and kept up, you know, just like everybody else here. They live here probably because of the location."

Other residents say same-sex couples have always played a role in Pleasant Ridge for, as part of local foundation board as well as city council.

Pleasant Ridge ranked 7th on the list behind such cities as West Hollywood and Palm Beach, California along with Provincetown, Massachusetts.