Diversity in Cincinnati (Columbus, Dayton, Springfield: house, neighborhood, movies)

[MnM0617]

Hello everyone. I recently interviewed for a job in Cincinnati and was amazed that the HR people brought up the fact that I was African-American and would I feel comfortable moving here. I've lived most of my life in either Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington, DC and have never encountered any undue issues, espeically those resulting from my inter-racial marriage.

After reading some of the posts on this thread, now I'm wonering how big a problem is the lack of diversity in Cincinnati? Would my wife and I have difficutly finding a diverse neighborhood? We are both professionals in our early 40's, we're way past wanting to deal with nonsense.

Thanks for any opinions or advise you may have.

[Subway]

The northern suburbs of Cincinnati are quite diverse. I would say that Forest Park and Springdale are the most diverse. Also, many other suburbs in that general vicinity have also been becoming much more diverse in recent years; some that come to mind are Fairfield, West Chester, Colerain Twp., Springfield Twp. and Sharonville. Of the ones I mentioned, West Chester and Fairfield are probably the best in which to live. Here is a link to an informative Greater Cincinnati Community Guide: http://frontier.cincinnati.com/communities/.

[MnM0617]

Thanks Subway, I appreciate the help and information!

[boostin4drcivic]

i second fairfield and west chester. im black also and i live in fairfield twp and love it. youll have no probs here and can definitely find nice and affordable housing here. same with west chester.thats where my parents relocated and they love it there too and have no probs or issues to speak on, besides high taxes...haha!!

[Bigbluelandrover]

As a minority I can tell you that this area still has some very deep issues with race. The white respondents are not experiencing some of the uncomfortable situations so they have no way to tell a minority what areas/issues that may arise.

Being that you are from DC I am sure you are used to going out and being in upscale surroundings with other AA's well sorry, that does not happen here hardly ever...I know because my husband and I never have anyplace decent to go ..someplace that isn't a 45 minute drive from Forest Park (northern suburb). We don't have the sophiscated culture of AA's that go to jazz bars, portey readings, dancing...a night out is going to the movies and then to Red Lobster--or some other cookie cutter joint. People here are not welcoming to outsiders (black people stick with their HS friends or people they grew up with) You will find very quickly that people are most comfortable around their "old friends" --if you are an outsider or have a progressive, well-educated mindset then people won't have much to say to you. ALot of my college friends graduated from UC and left with the quickness...we have a SERIOUS brain drain here in the black community. I listen to the radio on a frequent basis and there is NEVER anything here to do. Yet we are 4hrs from Chicago (by car) so there is hope yet...Oh wait there is the Friday night buffet at the casino in Indiana... and then there is bowling, & beer.

[Bigbluelandrover]

Also, I live in one of the mentioned areas. While the area IS quiet, what about inviting your neighbor over to your house. How about my neighbors don't allow my kids near their kids (and I have very well-behaved kids). Hmmm how about when I go to my kids school some of the white parents either stare, roll their eyes or look and then quickly look away. Why not say "hello". I speak to everyone because I belive we are all Gods children. How about I am completely lonely here in the burbs and I absolutely HATE it here.

It is one thing for the white posters to say an area is diverse but it is another thing to be treated as if one "belongs". Last year my husband was at Biggs (grocery store) and some young white kid was standing in the middle of an isle with his girlfriend. My husband was trying to pass and said excuse me and the first thing that idiot said was "damn Ni@@a!"... That kid is lucky that my husband has calmed down alot over time because the younger version would'a beat the sh@@ out of him.

[lydunn]

Cincinnati is it's own STATE....It's closeminded, "conservative my azz" it's closeminded. not open to change. we have the most uneducated people I have worked around. I mean who still wears spandex...people think I am a supervisor at my company because of the way I dress...and they think I am always dressed up. I blame myself for not moving on over 7 years ago but I was not financially able to but now I am like forget the money I am moving out west.

[asearchforreason]

I'm from an hour or two up north in Columbus and from what I understand racial tensions are still high in Cincinnati. Every year or two the police seem to shoot an African American, sparking protests. My parents' families are from there as well and from everything I have seen while visiting and heard from them, Cincy seems a little backward in today's world.

[Bigbluelandrover]

It depends on what part of the area you are in. The northern suburbs don't have the high tensions that the city can't seem to escape. However, if you go too far east (Eastgate,Amelia) or too far west (Harrison, Delhi) its like clanland IMO...I have been in both areas and don't like the "I have never seen a black person stares". Why do people do that??????

[buckeye2b]

This is a little depressing to read because we have to move to Dayton and this area doesn't seem very nice. I have been there several times house hunting and not only does the area seems boring, old ,and ugly, now I learn of racial issues. I don't want suburbia anymore