Looking for a culturally diverse, gay ok, semi rural area to live and work?

I'm a native new yorker looking for a change of pace (almost a crawl.) I would love to find one of those quaint little towns where the air is clean and where stepping into a body of water won't make you sprout an extra limb (ever been to coney island beach? you practically have to take penicillin before getting near the shore lol) like I stated I'm from new york city and diversity is all you'll find here, they don't call it the 'melding pot' for nothing, so I want a place where there's open space and your next neighbor is within 10 minutes away driving time, but where diversity is accepted, not grudgingly either. Different nationalities, different ual orientation is not an issue, basically where a person can be themselves without fearing getting hurt because of their differences. I'm very open-minded and would like to be surrounded by people who are like-minded in this respect. We've all heard stories of tiny towns commiting big time crimes that make you ask yourself in which era are we living in? Having a big city within decent driving distance is necessary as well since that's where the jobs are. I need some space (actually a little solitude) some fresh air, clean water nearby, where acceptance of differences comes naturally and people are friendly like they show on television (people waving at strangers, not here in the bronx) I know it's probably too specific but if I plan to uproot myself I want to make sure I don't go from one bad situation to a worse one. I accept people as is, and I expect the same courtesy in return. If you or anyone you know has first hand experience of what I'm looking for please let me know, I almost forgot to mention that the home has to be affordable, I'd like to rent a 3 br 2 bath home with the option to buy. I've seen some price right location right homes with these attributes for around $750.00 per month online but they only accept tiny pets, I love animals and will not leave my pets behind (great dane; they look like small ponies, pretty large breed and need plenty of space to run around comfortably.) any info would be greatly appreciated.