Help Starving for culture!!! want o move Here (Dallas, Fort Worth: crime, homes)

[Hotzona]

I currently live in Phx AZ, but have recently decided to move to Dallas, Iam a well educated African American male who has kept his nose clean, and has no children and not married. There is no cultural diversity in PHX AZ, atleast for Afro-Americans who aren't ignorant. I work in the Education field and will go back to teaching once iam in town. Please is it worth me moving out to Dallas, What is the cost of living? Do they Pay fair wages? is the crime not to bad? Are there Beautifull Black Woman of color out there, Is there a Black middle class? Help keep it real in your response

Thanks

[WINNIEK]

Hello Hotzona,
I think you should check out the website BLACKINDALLAS.This may provide a little bit of info for you on some of your questions.

[momof2dfw]

I have a lot of friends that fall into the "black middle class" and "educated" catagories. Most are in the education field. One of our really good friends was hired at one school because the principal wanted a good strong role model that was a black male. Now, the same friend has been in the Dallas ISD along w/ another area ISD and in the coaching field. Last year he was the last of 3 candidates for a head coaching job in the Dallas ISD but did not get it and not even a phone call to tell him otherwise. Pretty crappy, imho. The largest complaints they have made are the opportunities to be the head coach in some schools and school districts. Otherwise they all love it. Now there is a racism in Dallas w/in the black community, I am sure it is in other large cities too. The ones that don't want to strive to be better put those that do down, etc. Then I had one neighbor years ago that would literally turn her nose up at one of our friends because she was the wrong shade and "class" (she felt our friend was "beneath" her). It was rather embarrasing for me as our friend was a GREAT lady, super mom (and that should be w/ a capital S ), wanted the best for her kids and made them respect others and be responsible. Both of her kids are currently in college on scholarships.

As for finding a job in the education field, you will probably have no problem at all. Depending on the subject you may get a bonus. I of course am assuming that you are in the primary, secondary grade levels of education. If you are on the college level, there are ample opportunities around the Dallas area w/ the different universities and community colleges that we have.

Cost of living, much lower than Phoenix. At least that is what I've heard as I've only lived in the Dallas area. Our property taxes are a bit higher so you will need to consider that when looking to purchase a property.

Good luck

[txman]

There's a huge black middle and upper class in surburbs like Cedar Hill, Desoto, and Lancaster. There a very nice quiet neighborhoods, with beautiful lawns, and lovely well kept homes. Looks no different than most neighborhoods in Plano, except the majority of the residents are African-American. There are lots of upper class nightspots in town where the black upper class hang out. There seems to be a huge division here between the upper class blacks and the ones more into the thug/hip-hop scene. My best friend here is black and lives in Cedar Hill, I visit and hang out with him often. I just moved downtown from Fort Worth (thank god!!!) and there are some cool, sophisticated, african americans in my building. BTW, there's no shortage of beautiful women of color here. Just stroll through Northpark or just sit in the downtown tunnel system around the food court in Rennaisance Tower during lunch hours and watch the parade of ebony -beauties glide by...you'll be sold.