Hispanics in Oakwood? (section 8, homes, safe neighborhood)

[lookingforhappyendings]

THANK YOU ALL!!! I didn't expect to receive so much insight and so many perspectives; it's been very helpful. I also see there is a healthy discussion going on regarding schools... more on that in a moment.

For those of you who mentioned certain Dayton proper neighborhoods, I may have used the wrong words when I wrote "small town", what I meant was that I was looking for a real community feel. I was actually very enthusiastic about South Park and I even posted a question here about two weeks ago regarding schools there, but didn't get an answer. I've since discovered the whole 'DPS' debate in a few threads. Oakwood sounded great because it was also close to the city and seemed to have that real community feel we're looking for.

In our household, I'm willabee and my husband is Dayton_ohio, lol. I like South Park, and would like to become involved and be part of the solution in DPS, my husband says NO WAY!!! Only the BEST!!! But we respect each other's opinions. My main worry about Oakwood was discrimination, but a few posters have made me feel like we'd be welcome. It remains to see where we end up!

Food for thought: My very best friend, a Neurologist, went to very "bad" schools in New Jersey. Her father, a Psychiatrist, wanted her to learn about "real life", he actually said he wanted her to learn to deal with bullies, to see what minorities went through (she's white, affluent), etc. My friend is not only a successful md, she's also very wise, tolerant, and compassionate. My parents were among those who criticized her father, and even they admit they were wrong. All three of his children are succesful and involved citizens. Her father was very involved in their schools, offering free services to troubled families, etc.

I just think a "good and complete education" means different things to different people.
I agree parents should be more involved: if Oakwood teachers, who I'm sure are more than competent and deserve a lot of credit, suddenly came in to find 25% of their class wasn't studying or doing their homework and then called the parents, and these parents just shrugged it off and didn't care, I am sure no matter how hard that teacher tries, the report card would go down, regardless of her and the other students being tops. Then imagine 25% of the involved parents taking their kids elsewhere because the school's grades dropped significantly. My point is that parents are key, and more parents need to take back DPS. I commend those willing to do so, and I realy feel sure that if they take an active role, their own kids, will go as far as the kids in Oakwood.

[willabee]

Thanks for your post lookingforhappyendings. I hope you guys find what you are looking for in the Dayton area. I believe you may find the following links useful for your pending transition.

City / Neighborhood websites you are specifically interested in:

http://www.ci.oakwood.oh.us/

Welcome to South Park Historic District

Other Dayton neighborhoods that may interest you:

Walnut Hills Online

St. Anne's Hill - A Historic Dayton Community -

Linden Heights Community Council | Dayton, Ohio

Historic Huffman

Oregon District - Home

Some happenings in Dayton area and other info:

Dayton MostMetro

ActiveDayton.com - Dayton things to do, restaurants, music, movies, bars, clubs, tv

[nickolaseposter]

Take the risk. Those Oakwood kids need a little diversity. It might be worth it...in the long run. ;-)

[austinhome]

Originally Posted by lookingforhappyendings

HI! We are a professional, educated Hispanic couple moving to Dayton. We like older houses, small town, walkable feel, close to the city. We have 2 kids, Oakwood seems ideal, but seems to have ZERO diversity. Does anyone have an idea as to how we would be recieved there?

I am so sorry, but you would be out of your mind moving into oakwood. If you want to be pulled over every other day then continue on. There is no way Zero is an understatement. The area is stuck up there are whites that can't live in oakwood your children will not be treated well. DONT DO IT. Find a upscale home in Beavercreek or Bellbrook Green County

[ethicalcarsalesman]

My wife and are an interacial Hispanic/White couple with children in Kettering on the Oakwood boarder. We are one house in from Oakwood. Our favorite park is Orchard Park in Oakwood where my wife and two children visit at least 3 to 4 days per week. We have experienced nothing but geniune appreciation for our contributions to the dent in the diversiveness of our little neighborhood.

Regarding being pulled over every other day... that is just silly. Like any area, if you are doing something illegal, it increases your chances of being pulled over. We have never been pulled over in Oakwood. However, I was pulled over off of Brown street in Dayton 3 weeks ago for "Exhibiting Suspicious Activity" while looking at a vacant lot from my car that I did some work at.

Have you considered Kettering?

[malachai23]

Originally Posted by ethicalcarsalesman

My wife and are an interacial Hispanic/White couple with children in Kettering on the Oakwood boarder. We are one house in from Oakwood. Our favorite park is Orchard Park in Oakwood where my wife and two children visit at least 3 to 4 days per week. We have experienced nothing but geniune appreciation for our contributions to the dent in the diversiveness of our little neighborhood.

Regarding being pulled over every other day... that is just silly. Like any area, if you are doing something illegal, it increases your chances of being pulled over. We have never been pulled over in Oakwood. However, I was pulled over off of Brown street in Dayton 3 weeks ago for "Exhibiting Suspicious Activity" while looking at a vacant lot from my car that I did some work at.

Have you considered Kettering?

LOL yah - it always cracks me up when people around here comment on the Oakwood police and how they will pull you over and rough you up just for being in "their town" or for driving the wrong type of car or whatever. That is just so silly! I have been driving through Oakwood on a daily basis for three years now (doing the speed limit) and I have never been pulled over, followed, or otherwise intimidated by an Oakwood police officer. But I do see the Oakwood police presence on an *almost* daily basis. That to me says the Oakwood police are doing their job. If I were an Oakwood resident, that would make me feel good that my tax dollars were being used well, that my police force cared about my community, and that my community has been made just *this much safer* by their presence alone.

[willabee]

Originally Posted by malachai23

LOL yah - it always cracks me up when people around here comment on the Oakwood police and how they will pull you over and rough you up just for being in "their town" or for driving the wrong type of car or whatever. That is just so silly!

I get a chuckle out of this stuff too. It's usually from posters with very low post count, no reputation, and no real contributions in the posts they do have.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/ohio/...on-advice.html

Follow this thread to learn a little more about austinhome. This person doesn't even live in Ohio. Yet, they wanna give advice on Oakwood with tales they have no way to substantiate. Probably a pissed off teenager trolling the Dayton forum from the comfort of their parent's home in Austin, Texas.

Oakwood may not be my cup of tea, but it really does seem to offer a lot. I could only imagine people being welcomed with open arms there no matter their ethnicity. The perceived lack of diversity is not at all indacitive of racism or even being treated with a prejudice attitude by long time residents. Anytime I have referenced this it means there are no "diverse" amenities such as a Latino grocery store, or Latino community. For some these things are very important.

[malachai23]

Originally Posted by willabee

I get a chuckle out of this stuff too. It's usually from posters with very low post count, no reputation, and no real contributions in the posts they do have.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/ohio/...on-advice.html

Follow this thread to learn a little more about austinhome. This person doesn't even live in Ohio. Yet, they wanna give advice on Oakwood with tales they have no way to substantiate. Probably a pissed off teenager trolling the Dayton forum from the comfort of their parent's home in Austin, Texas.

Oakwood may not be my cup of tea, but it really does seem to offer a lot. I could only imagine people being welcomed with open arms there no matter their ethnicity. The perceived lack of diversity is not at all indacitive of racism or even being treated with a prejudice attitude by long time residents. Anytime I have referenced this it means there are no "diverse" amenities such as a Latino grocery store, or Latino community. For some these things are very important.

Yes, I could definitely understand wanting "diverse" amenities. I am actually someone who enjoys (and suffers from lack of nearby) "diverse" amenities as well. But at least there is a DLM in Oakwood - one can at least find some ethnic ingredients there. Ah well. I wonder where, if anywhere, the OP ended up?

[willabee]

Originally Posted by malachai23

DLM

I love DLM, and Arrow Wine and Spirits.

[Daytonnatian]

^And if DLM doesn't have it, Jungle Jim's surely does

I highly doubt that most metro areas our size have such easy access to ethnic foods.