Weird Question (Buffalo: home, high school, place to live)

[pixieshmoo]

I'm posting this question in a few forums because for several years I've struggled with wanting to leave my state and move elsewhere. During that time my children have gotten older and it's getting harder to leave, as they will be in high school within the next couple of years. They say they will hate us if we move and are determined to be miserable anywhere but here. I want to move because it's not so great here anymore, too crowded, too judgmental, too competitive, too worried about trends & money, too fast paced, too worried about outward appearance, schools aren't what they used to be, drugs, sex, crime, etc. I know it's everywhere but I also know there are better places than here. So I am posting this question in a few chosen (states) forums and am hoping for some good feedback.

Now for the weird/stupid question: How do the children and/or adolescents in your particular community, school system, town, county or state react to newcomers??

While this may sound incredibly ridiculous, keep in mind what we hear on the news about kids who often befriend the "newcomer", act like they want to pursue a friendship, invite the child somewhere and end up beating the kid to death or near death and leaving them there. I know it's not something that is a daily event in most places, but it's not unheard of. I recall a few years ago seeing a video on the news of a group of girls who did that to one new girl. Not only did they beat her to a pulp, they videotaped themselves doing it! Considering that my oldest is almost in high school, I see it as a valid question based on how children socialize, how they are judged, teased, ridiculed, teen suicide, depression, etc. You see it all over the country. I want to move to better the lives and futures of my children, not make their lives miserable or put them in jeopardy. And as we all know, children are harsh and brutally honest and simply downright cruel at times.

So, based on all that I have written, I am hoping that many of you, as parents, teachers, even students and teens, or simply someone who knows what goes on in their community, can tell me from your point of view or experience or what goes on in your local news, how accepted newcomers are to your area, is there gang violence, adolescent violence, is it a friendly, welcoming place to live, are people accepted freely or are they ridiculed until they prove themselves, etc? I have no particular area preference at this time, but if you don't mind listing where you're from, or close to where you're from if you'd like to remain private, along with your response, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you sincerely

[Canerican]

I moved here when I was a senior in high school, about 6 years ago. People reacted fine to me, they obviously teased me about my accent until it went away, I was pretty much one of them.

People are well accepted here, from nearly every background, just don't tell us that the way you did it back home was better than here, and you'll get on fine.

I am speaking of the suburbs, I've never gone to school in the city, but I would imagine that it is pretty much the same there.

[FedupWNY]

I want to move because it's not so great here anymore, too crowded, too judgmental, too competitive, too worried about trends & money, too fast paced, too worried about outward appearance, schools aren't what they used to be, drugs, sex, crime, etc. I know it's everywhere but I also know there are better places than here. So I am posting this question in a few chosen (states) forums and am hoping for some good feedback.

pixieshmoo, I don't think your questions are weird at all. I have lived in Buffalo all my life and I don't see myself leaving any time soon, it is my home. You'll see/hear negative about schools anywhere you live. I can't say Buffalo is Utopia, but there is so much good in our city. There is a lot of life both day time & night time. AAA baseball, pro hockey, a championship winning lacross team, ammusement & recreational parks (we get to see the best of all seasons!), golf courses, a nature preserve, an endless amount of festivals, parades. We're a basic working-class city and the people who come here find we're also a city built on pride, and family roots. (My children are 5th generation Buffalo-born and raised ) The history of Buffalo is never-ending, and is still intriguing to me today.