[Davyn_041]

I'm about to move elsewhere within the next to years for college and my fiance' is coming with me. I'm white, he's black, and I'm sick of dealing with racism. I also don't want to live around close-minded rednecks because I have all my life. I don't want to be discriminated for being in an interracial relationship and I want my children to be happy. I'm from central Illinois, a town with less than 1,000 people. There isn't violence, but only 3 black people live in my area and no other races besides white.

I do understand that "wherever you go, there will be some racism," but I'd like to be around more interracial couples, in a more diverse area, and I want to move somewhere warm. I've always loved Florida, but yet I haven't stayed there for more than a few weeks.

I've heard some bad things about the deep south but that Florida is different, etc. Do you know of any places in Florida where there aren't acts of violence against blacks/interracials/etc. and where there isn't a lot of segregation? What about places that we should definitely avoid? Feedback? Thanks!

[Jlopes26]

That's really tough bc like you said that's everywhere. Someone always got somthin to say. Im in Sarasota and it's very diverse here.

[StilltheSame]

I personally would stay away from the central west and Northern panhandle portions - Jacksonville would also be out for me - just me.

[EscAlaMike]

I don't think you'd have any issues unless you were really out in the sticks.

[Donna-501]

I would think that up and down the coasts are OK but inland is where it might be more frowned upon. Also agree with the panhandle as not being a good choice.

It is very sad that you even have to write about this as everyone should be comfortable where ever they go.

[beachmouse]

The coastal panhandle is pretty mellow about racial issues- the big military presence, where interracial couples are relatively common, seems to mellow out things in that regard.

It's the inland rural areas up here that are more likely to be a concern.

[Magnolia Bloom]

I would cross Jacksonville off the list immediately.

Tallahassee would be good if you want a smaller town, but the surrounding areas are pretty necky. SE Florida would be good, IMO.

May want to read online newspapers from locations that interest you to get a feel for the area and people.

[1coolcustomer]

Not saying you would run into problems but I think the likeyhood for trouble would be greater in your sparsley populated North FL counties like Dixie, Levy, Union, etc. Any county that has a state prison I would stay away from and probably Polk and Eastern Hillsborough as well.

The larger metros like Orlando and St. Pete-Clearwater would be safest IMO.

[007.5]

No matter where you live in the USA, youre going to find racism being an interracial couple . Of course its more likely to occur in heavily populated areas simply because of the sheer numbers . Your best chances for no racism will be in an area where God and his moral mandates are respected and observed and where all people are seen as having great intrinsic worth and dignity -- in Florida, that distinction goes to the Panhandle area.

[SoFLGal]

I wold have to put another vote in for Sarasota. Like Jlopes26 said, it's a pretty diverse community.