White parents with African American teenagers (most comfortable environment to live?) (Atlanta: home, high school)

[rodjoel]

Hopefully the silly title will help attract un-silly advice. My wife and I are the color of copy paper. Our teenage kids (18 and 19) are the color of, oh I don't know, I'd say Morgan Freeman removed - unnecessary We are, in the common vernacular: White parents with black children.

I am considering working for a company located in Ball Ground, GA removed - unnecessary. The location is actually 15 miles east of where most maps pin Ball Ground. It's inside Forsyth County, just a little east of the Cherokee County line. We wouldn't live that far north by any means and, if I'm offered/take the job, will be looking further south (Woodstock, Holly Spring, Roswell, Canton, Alpharetta.....).

What towns or areas would potentially be an "uncomfortable experience" for a black teenager. I guess I would define that as anything from the worse extreme you could possibly imagine to the much less extreme (suspicious stares, whispers, being followed around in stores). My daughter often dates white guys (I tried to warn her they were shiftless but no luck). If that would cause wide-eyed, slack jawed goggling, I would quickly cross it off the list.

What areas would being a black young man or woman not even be on the uncomfortable-radar whatsoever?

Ideally we would live in a liberal artsy-fartsy community, if such exists anymore.

I thank you for your help and advice.

[westau]

Anywhere inside the city of Atlanta would be liberal overall but your commute would be terrible so that really isn't worth mentioning.

If your job is closer to I-575 generally I would recommend looking at areas between Marietta and Woodstock. Downtown Woodstock seems like it would be a very nice area to live. If closer to 400 then I would look around Alpharetta or possibly Roswell.

All of those areas are nice, most are generally considered conservative for metro Atlanta but I wouldn't say so overall relative to the whole state. Overall Fulton County is more liberal than Cobb and Cherokee because of the city of Atlanta so if that is what you want then go to Fulton. I don't think you would encounter many issues with race in any of those areas either but generally the closer you are to the city the more diverse it will be.

[Mattie]

Are your kids in school? All the schools in the areas you mention are pretty diverse. We live in Milton, and it is not unheard of for white families to have black adopted children here.

Unfortunately, I can't say for sure if they would have a positive experience outside of school in any of the towns you are considering. They are all majority white. If you find that artsy-fartsy liberal vibe outside the city, let me know where it is.
Roswell, Woodstock and Alpharetta have plenty of boutiques, but the liberal label is missing.

[lastminutemom]

So are they high school students (given their ages, I wonder). If not, will they just be home visiting or will they be living with you full time. None of the suburban areas are great for college age kids -- not much to do, etc. Has nothing to do with race.

[rodjoel]

My original post had a "silly title" but was edited by the moderator, which is his or her duty and I don't feel my personal freedom has been infringed upon. The only problem is that now the first sentence in my post makes no sense and will make you wonder what I consider the word silly to mean. But the original title was really funny. Hmmm..... I'll just sneak it in here. "................................................. " Ho ho ha, good huh?

[aries4118]

If you will working in that location, I would recommend living in Roswell.

[Psykomonkee]

I also think Roswell would be a good location to live. Also, Alpharetta.

[waronxmas]

You should pick an area that is close to work and fits your desired lifestyle (urban or suburban) and economica level. What you shouldn't do is be concerned with what people might think of your family. Contrary to popular belief, I would be quite surprised if anyone would make you uncomfortable here. I know plenty of people who are White that have adopted black (or asian or latino) children. They're your kids, it's your family, and if anyone has a problem with that shoot them the bird and tell them to {censored} off.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

You should pick an area that is close to work and fits your desired lifestyle (urban or suburban) and economica level. What you shouldn't do is be concerned with what people might think of your family. Contrary to popular belief, I would be quite surprised if anyone would make you uncomfortable here. I know plenty of people who are White that have adopted black (or asian or latino) children. They're your kids, it's your family, and if anyone has a problem with that shoot them the bird and tell them to {censored} off.

Well said, as usual, waronxmas.

I can't imagine anybody giving you trouble here.

[Ant131531]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well said, as usual, waronxmas.

I can't imagine anybody giving you trouble here.

You'd be surprised. This is the South.