Is it multi culturally diverse in marietta GA? (Atlanta, Smyrna: how much, neighborhoods)

[shiraz72]

Is it multi culturally diverse in marietta GA? If not what area's are? Like people from the Uk?

[berkeleylake]

Yes, it's culturally diverse. The 2010 census gives you more details about Marietta / Cobb County.

[neil0311]

I don't know. The percentage of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander is only 0.1%, and the percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native persons is only 0.3%. Can we really say it's "diverse" with those kinds of stats?

[Mal93]

The Marietta-Smyrna area is very diverse! There is a shopping center I call "mini buford hwy" at the corner of Franklin & s loop featuring a Latin nightclub, one of the best authentic Chinese restaurants in the south (and the US, for years), an African restaurant with many cuisines from Carribbean to Sengalese, Liberian, etc; a halal grocer and restaurant/hookah bar with Jordanian/middle eastern foods; the excellent Jerusalem bakery and haveli Indian across the intersection.

Around downtown/windy hill/ Smyrna you will find Indo-Pak, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Brazilian, salvadorian, Mexican, Guatemalan, Jamaican, Dominican, Bulgarian, Russian, German, French, romanian, Egyptian, Colombian...

I have been in neighborhoods which are pretty mixed; others are more predominantly White/Black/Hispanic. I can definitively attest to the rich diversity of restaurants&shops in the area...As for uk, I have worked with expats in Marietta. Harry's has a decent selection of uk food, a little condiment& junk food heavy though.

[deacongirl]

I am in East Cobb with a Marietta address. I have neighbors from Russia, Israel, and South Africa. (we just moved--I am sure there are more but that is who I have met so far) At my kids' schools and activities I have met people from Brazil, China, India, UK, Iran, Jordan and other countries. I am sure there are more culturally diverse areas of Atlanta than where I live, but it is way more diverse than where we moved from so I am happy.

[neil0311]

I'm in West Cobb, and on my Cul de Sac, there are 5 families. Two are white (including us); two are black; and one is originally from India. I guess for me, the whole "diverse" thing based on race is a bit silly, but I know to some it's important.

Although these families are "diverse" based on how their skin looks or what their last name sounds like, we all share some pretty similar values. We work hard at our respective businesses and careers; we share and desire a similar standard of living, and we all want a good education for our children.

We may be different in looks, but I think we are pretty much the same in our social and civic outlooks. In my opinion, so-called "diversity" based solely on race is only skin deep.

[deacongirl]

Originally Posted by neil0311

I'm in West Cobb, and on my Cul de Sac, there are 5 families. Two are white (including us); two are black; and one is originally from India. I guess for me, the whole "diverse" thing based on race is a bit silly, but I know to some it's important.

Although these families are "diverse" based on how their skin looks or what their last name sounds like, we all share some pretty similar values. We work hard at our respective businesses and careers; we share and desire a similar standard of living, and we all want a good education for our children.

We may be different in looks, but I think we are pretty much the same in our social and civic outlooks. In my opinion, so-called "diversity" based solely on race is only skin deep.

I think the OP was asking about cultural diversity. And, it is impossible to deny that there are cultural differences between people born and raised in the U.S. and those born and raised in other countries before they came here (even Western European countries). I think that is what makes life interesting. (But can also lead to misunderstandings if an effort isn't made to understand the other culture).

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by deacongirl

I think the OP was asking about cultural diversity. And, it is impossible to deny that there are cultural differences between people born and raised in the U.S. and those born and raised in other countries before they came here (even Western European countries). I think that is what makes life interesting. (But can also lead to misunderstandings if an effort isn't made to understand the other culture).

Sure, not sure for my 10 min interactions with neighbors on a Sunday that it makes much difference, but as the son of an immigrant, I'm open to it. I just think the value to a neighborhood or quality of life is overrated.

When you think about where it might provide some cultural value, it's for the children who see each other in school, but often the children are much more similar and have been brought up here. It's fine for folks to prefer and find an area that meets their needs, but I just really wonder how much it makes an actual difference versus a feel good checkbox on a list of attributes for a neighborhood. Multi-cultural....check.

[deacongirl]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Sure, not sure for my 10 min interactions with neighbors on a Sunday that it makes much difference, but as the son of an immigrant, I'm open to it. I just think the value to a neighborhood or quality of life is overrated.

When you think about where it might provide some cultural value, it's for the children who see each other in school, but often the children are much more similar and have been brought up here. It's fine for folks to prefer and find an area that meets their needs, but I just really wonder how much it makes an actual difference versus a feel good checkbox on a list of attributes for a neighborhood. Multi-cultural....check.

I can only speak for myself, but having just moved from an extremely homogeneous and provincial place with practically zero cultural or racial diversity, it makes a big difference in my sanity. (and I guess as a SAHM I do have longer and more regular interactions with neighbors and other parents through school/community activities than someone who was working full-time would.)

[winetime]

How is Marietta these days?