Lack of middle-class Blacks in intown neighborhoods? (Atlanta, Decatur: public schools, incomes)

[Merin]

Originally Posted by FloRida2Atl

Those with money only want to mingle with those of like kind (no matter what the demographics), they don't want to be associate with the lower class of their race, to deal with the ills of an area in transition.

The transition is something we deal with but crossing class lines in hard period. We associate with the poorer neighbors who attend community meetings, but beside the happenings in the neighborhood, we really don't have much in common.

[AtlMuslimah]

Originally Posted by Merin

The transition is something we deal with but crossing class lines in hard period. We associate with the poorer neighbors who attend community meetings, but beside the happenings in the neighborhood, we really don't have much in common.

So what you're saying is (I stand corrected, if I'm wrong) if the activities that you like aren't there, you don't bother building an association with lower income folks beyond sharing concerns for trying to clean up the neighborhood within neighborhood community meetings?

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To OP, if blacks/minoritiess want to move into the intown neighborhoods; there has to be the activities, organizations, and facilities that they would frequent in transitional neighborhoods to even consider those neighborhood livable and of interest to them.

[Merin]

Originally Posted by FloRida2Atl

So what you're saying is (I stand corrected, if I'm wrong) if the activities that you like aren't there, you don't bother building an association with lower income folks beyond sharing concerns for trying to clean up the neighborhood within neighborhood community meetings?

This is correct we have community GTG's and I attend. And I am familiar with where most people live so if I see a stranger near anyones house( regardless of income) I am calling the police ASAP. However in regards to the parties and outings the middle class neighbors have, the lower income neighbors are not on the guest list.

[Saintmarks]

I don't think the city of Atlanta is conducive to anyone who is middle class. I realize this is a subjective term, but there is a big divide between "middle class" and "affluent."

When considering a place to live, anyone considered middle class, regardless of race, wants three basic things: a good value of home for the money, a safe neighborhood and good schools. Combining these three together is tough in Atlanta. The safe neighborhoods with good schools tends to go with housing out of most middle class incomes. Affordable housing is for the most part in neighborhoods deemed unsafe and with poorer performing schools.

For anyone on a middle class income, especially with children, there aren't that many options in the city. The suburbs make more sense, no matter the race.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

I don't think the city of Atlanta is conducive to anyone who is middle class. I realize this is a subjective term, but there is a big divide between "middle class" and "affluent."

When considering a place to live, anyone considered middle class, regardless of race, wants three basic things: a good value of home for the money, a safe neighborhood and good schools. Combining these three together is tough in Atlanta. The safe neighborhoods with good schools tends to go with housing out of most middle class incomes. Affordable housing is for the most part in neighborhoods deemed unsafe and with poorer performing schools.

For anyone on a middle class income, especially with children, there aren't that many options in the city. The suburbs make more sense, no matter the race.

Very good point.

[JasonPaul]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Very good point.

second that.

[cmtiger]

And a third.

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by atlantamoi

My subdivision inside 285 is very diverse. I don't know if we are affluent or not (homes are priced around $300k after the market hit), but there are black families who live here along with other races. The mix is great.

What community/neighborhood/area are you referring to? What is the white to minority population ratio? 50/50? 60/40?

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by Merin

There are plenty Black Families in my Middle Class in town neighborhood.

Really? What intown community/neighborhood are you referring to? What is the white to minority population ratio? 50/50? 60/40? And what is the average income of the residents and average price of the homes? Is it safe to assume that the minority income is comparable to that of the whites in your community?

I think it was you who said that you don't really associate with your poorer neighbors. If your poorer neighbors all happen to be black, and your middle-class neighbors all happen to be white, then this is not the type of community I'm asking about. I'm asking about a racially mixed, economically comparable community.

[atlantamoi]

Originally Posted by equinox63

What community/neighborhood/area are you referring to? What is the white to minority population ratio? 50/50? 60/40?

Lantern Ridge in Scottdale. Nice subdivision just inside 285. Schools here are sucky and that fits what Saintmarks said (although a charter school is being developed in Avondale Estates and would probably include us). I'd have to guess the mix is somewhere in the 50/50 or 60/40 range. I'm just guessing. My 8 single home street has two black families with children, an older Puerto Rican couple, an Indian medical student, our mixed household (white & Guatemalan), an Asian couple, and three other white families. We're not in a quaint area like Oakhurst, but we are an easy drive to many things and you get a great house comparing the price to what's only three miles away from here.

Some might not consider us Intown. We straddle the line. Oh, and I'd consider all my neighbors solidly middle class. Homes in the $300k range (but we have taken a hit with the bad market... can get a single family cheaper now). Regarding income, yes, I'd have to think the minority income is similar to whites in my community. Again, just guessing.