From Florida to Delaware...Looking for affordable/family friendly place

[SassySpice]

Originally Posted by eaglenick

Basically, I'm currently a college student. I'm going into education so I'd be looking for a position as a high school teacher.
I pretty much hate Florida. It is too hot, expensive, and unfriendly. If you aren't rich, retired, or conservative in the area I live, you're just not part of the community.
I'm DEFINITELY not looking for excitement. I'm pretty much a homebody. My idea of a good Friday night would be staying home and watching a movie. My fiancee is African American and when she comes over to my house, if we go out for a walk with the dog, it's like there is some alien out to exhibit. And there's an old lady who looked as if it was a crime for someone of color to be in the neighborhood.

I am not going into my profession to become rich. And my partner isn't gonna be rich either. We want a simple, quiet life in a safe and friendly area. I lived in Illinois for a couple of years, and it was the best thing in this world. But the job market over there for educators is terrible.

If anyone could tell me what it's like living in Delaware and what some good neighborhoods are, I'd really appreciate it! I just NEED to get the hell out of the South and away from the hypocritical Bible thumpers.

I think your best bet is Bear, DE. Interracial couples are not frowned upon here, very diverse community & we all get along. You did not say whether you wanted to rent a apt or house or buy a house.

[longnecker]

Originally Posted by longnecker

As an explanation for those not familiar with this mess.
As part of the opening of the school day students used to recite the Lord's Prayer along with the Pledge of Allegiance. Someone who did not want their child exposed to such a terrible thing filed a lawsuit to stop the prayer. They won the prayer can no longer be said.No Christmas parties or Christmas or Easter decorations in the Cafeteria. After this person won costing the taxpayers much money and taking funds that could have /should have been used for the students they withdrew their child and moved most likely to start trouble somewhere else.
I keep waiting for someone wanting to stop the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

I just had to add this.. Our area is rich in history of the Nanticoke Indians and home of the annual Nanticoke PowWow.
Yep someone is going to sue to make them change the name of the Football mascot. you guessed it. The Indians. Sussex School District Asked to Remove Indian Mascot - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 -

[beachliz]

Oh yeah, I heard all about that, longnecker. Sheesh. I'm sure Mr. Elling means well, but he seems to be the only one who feels this way about the Indian mascot. I ran this by my husband, who is half Native American, and he just laughed and said it was silly. He's not offended at all by the use of the Indian mascot.

[doctorjef]

Back to the OP's concerns. My advice would be to look only at northern New Castle County if you want to be out of the cultural South with all its evangelical religiosity, and particularly steer clear of Sussex County, DE's most southerly county both geographically and culturally. Sussex County doesn't appear to "get" the whole separation of Church and State thing. And just for clarification, I'm no atheist. In fact I'm an active communicant of the Church, serve at the altar, and am currently on the vestry (governing board) of my parish. However, I don't believe that public prayer has a place in governmental institutions or in state education.

[snowshoes]

Originally Posted by beachwizz

My answer would be , its cool to have any religious beliefs you want, but I think the opposite is true. I think Christians are tired of having Atheists and other non-Christians religions shoved down their throats, or made to maybe accommodate that particular belief. I’m not saying that there are not religious zealots in my religion, but I think the tide has swung way to far to one side, and that tide is starting to swing back the other way. If people want to say the pledge of allegiance or have a moment of silence before you start school, what’s the big deal?? Sorry to say but I think people like your friend are the religious intolerant ones. You will see come the elections this Nov ,when Obozzo and crew get kicked out of office, what I am talking about.

As a non Christian and Jew some of this conversation makes me very nervous.

I do NOT believe public schools which are taxpayer schools should be involved in prayers or religious teachings. That is for one's family, that is the domain of religious and private schools. The new ideas of legislating religious beliefs and practices while ignoring the concept of a nation built upon open doors to a diverse population seems very intolerant and frightening. It is a form of bigotry and people often pretend that is true of others but not them. However, attempting to enforce any religious belief through a political structure or a public institution is wrong. Public institutions need to teach respect for all and not a pretense that one religion either holds the answers nor should dominate. This is a very private thing religion. It should be respected as such and that for each person or family to decide to follow, continue or not to do so. This is why my grandparents came to this nation for a tolerance, for the allowance to practice their beliefs and traditions but not coerce not expect others to practice them unless it is their choice and to respect each and every one to have their own choice.

When Public Schools or law begins to preach one relgion be it Christianity or anything else it is trampling on the rights of others and the concept of a nation with a Constitution that clearly stated that this government shall not create a religion that there be no state religion. Government and thus public schools and laws should be independent of religion. That is not to say there is no place for religion but the place and time belongs to the individuals concerned and it is private to them and their community.

Now Im getting off the soap box and will not return to it.

[longnecker]

Snowshoes
Thankyou for your well presented response. I understand your views. It would be a lot nicer world if others presented there cases this way.

[BeingAMommyIsMyLife]

I say move to the Middletown/Odessa/Townsend area. It is "laid back" in the southern portion of New Castle County. They are quite accepting of people yet they won't SHOVE religion down ones throat. Also for your job function there are some great school districts in the area (Appoquinimink and Smyrna) as well as a few Charter Schools. The MOT area is very laid back in a suburban up and coming sort of way. Kind of the best of both worlds considering what you are looking for.