Interracial family moving to Decatur. Where's best? (Atlanta, Lenox: home, safe neighborhood)

[meg816]

My interracial family (white and black) is moving from Alaska to Atlanta. My in-laws live in Decatur but I am a nurse and am anticipating a job at Piedmont Hospital. I(a white female, blonde hair blue eyes and all) have spent time in Decatur and love it. And I encountered mostly friendly people when I went places with my children. I am from Alaska and my beautiful brown children, ages 3 and 7, have never encountered prejudice as we come from an incredibly diverse community that embraces all cultures. Although I realize I am unable to protect my children from all the hatred and ignorence of the world, I would like to keep it to a minimum. My research of ATL communities has led me to believe that Decatur would be the best place to live for us because it is the most diverse. However, I know not all Decatur is equal. The neighborhood my inlaws live in is a middle class area that is not diverse at all- Columbia Rd./Flat Shoals Pkwy area. I'm looking for a good elementary school and a safe neighborhood in a racially diverse community. And more than diverse, I would appreciate a racially tolerant community. I may be over-thinking this whole thing, but Alaska is like a completely different world from ATL and I want to make this huge move for us a smooth one. If anyone has an opinion, I welcome any thoughts. And... What about the Buckhead community? Thanks to all who respond!

[nature's message]

Buckhead is the large, affluent district in Northern Atlanta. Home to most of the city's uber-wealth. Lenox Square and Phipps are up there, so you should check it out (might see a celebrity or two). A lot of quaint restaurants too (used to be where all of them were, but Midtown has seen numerous restaurants pop up like pimples). Suppesed to be one of the wealthiest districts in the country.

Anyway, I'd say Decatur is a great choice. Also is fairly diverse, and pretty affordable too. I hope you won't have a problem with gay peopl, but you will see a lot of them (Decatur is a lesbian mecca). You should come on down and visit Atlanta and see what you and the family think. Best of luck.

[George Chong]

There are "two" Decaturs. NM is referring to the City of Decatur. The City of Decatur also has the better of the two school systems.

Here is some additional information to check out on the City of Decatur:

www.decturga.com

City Schools of Decatur

Good luck and welcome!!!

[cmtiger]

I think Decatur would be an excellent choice for you. It does have a significant lesbian population, but the vast majority of folks are straight so you won't feel out of place as a straight family. If you are one of those people who have issues with your kids having a friend "with two mommies," however, you probably won't be comfortable in City of Decatur.

The schools in Decatur are excellent - all of them.. there are no "bad" schools so long as you are within the actual city limits of Decatur (it has its own school system - schools include... Clairemont Elementary, Winnona Park Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary, Glennwood Academy, Renfroe Middle and Decatur High). The K-3 schools are Expeditionary Learning schools and grades 4-12 are in various stages of becoming International Baccalaureate Schools. The entire system is a charter system...... every school in the district is a charter school.

You should be very at home as a biracial couple in Decatur. While, admittedly, there seems to be a bit of classism (there is definitely some money here as of late), I have never witnessed racism. Race is a non-issue for my kids and their friends. They don't really think about it.. and they have friends of all types. All of the schools are part of the No Place for Hate program and they emphasize embracing people of all cultures. Celebrating differences is also a very big part of the ELOB/IB frameworks.

You can also check out the Mary Lin/Inman Middle/Grady High cluster in Atlanta City Schools. These are all excellent schools and the neighborhoods are very diverse and open minded.