Why aren't blacks buying houses in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs (Atlanta: real estate, housing)

[NorthmeetsSouth]

Originally Posted by backfist

Choosing the latter is about economics, yes. But to be intellectually honest, one must acknowledge that segregation has and does play some role in economics. Not as much as it did 35 or 40 years ago, but the residual still has some affect. The good thing is that the economy isn't so easily influenced by the irrational whims of segregationists. As a result, more and more people of color are welcome to overspend in Dunwoody or Sandy Springs..

What I don't understand is why anyone has a problem with self-segregation. I once rented a house in an area of Brooklyn that is all Orthodox Jewish. I'm Irish Catholic. I had nothing in common with my neighbors, I didn't fit in there, and I felt isolated. They were nice people, but I didn't fit.
What is wrong with wanting to live near people that you have something in common with? As long as it is your choice to do so I don't see anything wrong with it.
People, life is too short to see conspiracies lurking around every corner. Most times when you see a neighborhood that is all of one type ( black, white, oriental, or whatever) it is because they chose to live together... not because somebody made them live together!

[stargirl]

I have been following this post for quite some time. I am a native of Atlanta. I have watched the Pre and Post Olympic swell in our population and its effects on the racial makeup of our communities in Metro Atlanta. Initially, people of all races were moving everywhere. It was a matter of "I'm not from here, so I really don't know where to move". Then as time progressed, people began to choose neighborhoods with people who looked like them based on research visits made to Atlanta, visits with family members who had already moved here, et al. However, the question of "Why aren't blacks buying houses in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs?" will never be answered to satisfy anyone. There are many answers.
Some people prefer to be in areas with people of a like ethnic group(i.e. anything on the Buford Highway Corridor). There are shared values(Can one find the same foods that are traditional to a certain group in Sandy Springs?) . Some people mistrust other ethnic groups(i.e. the "white flight" which made South DeKalb County predominantly Black in the first place). Some people like to save money(Can you get a 3500 sqft house in Dunwoody for less than $200K?). Some people grew up in the area and have returned home to be near their families(It takes a village...). Many, many reasons.
You can't pigeon hole this answer. I am a Black woman, who has lived in Midtown, Washington DC, Tokyo, Juarez, New York, and now Lithonia. I was born in Atlanta. I grew up in Decatur. I have returned home and started a family. I chose Lithonia because it is comfortable. There are 3 beautiful mountains near my very large home for my children to enjoy. I am close enough to the city for entertainment, but far enough to not have it in my face every day. My children have a large yard to play in all day. My neighbors watch out for each other and share similar values concerning the welfare of our children. I have been around the world, but I live in Lithonia because it is home to me. I am not a segregationist by any means. I entertain my friends from many nations in my home frequently. My children are exposed to a diverse group and speak two languages at ages 3 and 2. I love my neighborhood because it is me. It is natural and wonderful. Dunwoody nor Sandy Springs in no way reflects who I am.

There is no answer. Only the question,"Why AREN'T whites buying homes in Lithonia/Stone Mountain?"

[backfist]

Originally Posted by NorthmeetsSouth

What I don't understand is why anyone has a problem with self-segregation.

George Wallace, Orval Faubus, and the Mississippi Sovreignty Commission felt the same way.

If one truly understood the affects of segregation--voluntary or otherwise--one would understand the problem that so many people have with it.

[south-to-west]

Segregation, voluntary or enforced, makes people more ignorant.

[mxd.Brit]

Originally Posted by NorthmeetsSouth

What I don't understand is why anyone has a problem with self-segregation. I once rented a house in an area of Brooklyn that is all Orthodox Jewish. I'm Irish Catholic. I had nothing in common with my neighbors, I didn't fit in there, and I felt isolated. They were nice people, but I didn't fit.
What is wrong with wanting to live near people that you have something in common with? As long as it is your choice to do so I don't see anything wrong with it.
People, life is too short to see conspiracies lurking around every corner. Most times when you see a neighborhood that is all of one type ( black, white, oriental, or whatever) it is because they chose to live together... not because somebody made them live together!

So are we now saying in 2007 that there is nothing more to people than religion or the color of their skin. I have to say it's quite disheartening to hear such nonsense. I live next door to a roman catholic chaplin (wife and son) and i am not keen on religion but we spend a lot of time together as both families have children and same aspirations for our families and future. . and we are not of the same color either.

Why fight to end segregation only to end up self segregating??????

Segregation is ignorant ... end off.

Wake up people!!!!!

[stargirl]

I would be interested to know the racial makeup of the neighborhoods of those who are calling others ignorant. It seems to me that if there truly was a push to end segregation, self or otherwise, it would begin with each individual. So I ask, truly, what is the racial makeup of those of you that insist that it is ignorant for people to make the choice to live among those of the same race? Then maybe you can answer what gives you the right to judge. Choice is what at hand. I now have the choice to live where I choose as opposed to being prohibited to live somewhere because of my skin color.

[mxd.Brit]

I live in a neighborhood which is probably 95% white 5% other. My husband is black and I am black (of mixed origin).

Once again - Segregation is ignorant and backward!!!!

If the shoe fits then wear it.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by mxd.Brit

Why fight to end segregation only to end up self segregating??????
Segregation is ignorant ... end off.
Wake up people!!!!!

Forgive me. I always thought the fight was for the right of self-determination, so that black people could choose what was best for themselves and their families. Now that they can, they're 'ignorant' if they don't make the politically-correct choice?

[mxd.Brit]

It seems to me that it's not just economics - with some of the posts I have seen on here. You cannot guarantee you will have the same likes, dislikes aspirations, values as every person within your race. So why self segregate??

..... Ignorance may be bliss but it's not right, especially in this day and age.

And on that note

[Mrs. Garrison]

Originally Posted by stargirl

I have been following this post for quite some time. I am a native of Atlanta. I have watched the Pre and Post Olympic swell in our population and its effects on the racial makeup of our communities in Metro Atlanta. Initially, people of all races were moving everywhere. It was a matter of "I'm not from here, so I really don't know where to move". Then as time progressed, people began to choose neighborhoods with people who looked like them based on research visits made to Atlanta, visits with family members who had already moved here, et al. However, the question of "Why aren't blacks buying houses in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs?" will never be answered to satisfy anyone. There are many answers.
Some people prefer to be in areas with people of a like ethnic group(i.e. anything on the Buford Highway Corridor). There are shared values(Can one find the same foods that are traditional to a certain group in Sandy Springs?) . Some people mistrust other ethnic groups(i.e. the "white flight" which made South DeKalb County predominantly Black in the first place). Some people like to save money(Can you get a 3500 sqft house in Dunwoody for less than $200K?). Some people grew up in the area and have returned home to be near their families(It takes a village...). Many, many reasons.
You can't pigeon hole this answer. I am a Black woman, who has lived in Midtown, Washington DC, Tokyo, Juarez, New York, and now Lithonia. I was born in Atlanta. I grew up in Decatur. I have returned home and started a family. I chose Lithonia because it is comfortable. There are 3 beautiful mountains near my very large home for my children to enjoy. I am close enough to the city for entertainment, but far enough to not have it in my face every day. My children have a large yard to play in all day. My neighbors watch out for each other and share similar values concerning the welfare of our children. I have been around the world, but I live in Lithonia because it is home to me. I am not a segregationist by any means. I entertain my friends from many nations in my home frequently. My children are exposed to a diverse group and speak two languages at ages 3 and 2. I love my neighborhood because it is me. It is natural and wonderful. Dunwoody nor Sandy Springs in no way reflects who I am.

There is no answer. Only the question,"Why AREN'T whites buying homes in Lithonia/Stone Mountain?"

Thank you for this insightful and well-worded post. It makes more sense than most and it states the REAL answer - there is no ONE reason why people choose to live in particular areas. There are several reasons.