Leaving the WI Cold to Head South...Racism Issues? (Atlanta: best city, home)

[Southlander]

I invite you to consider Alabama.
Yes...Alabama...specifically Birmingham and Huntsville. Both cities are growing rapidly, and would have job markets where you could find something fairly easily (be sure you have a job lined up before you move!) Huntsville's public schools are, for the most part, excellent. Birmingham suburbs (not city of Birmingham) have excellent public schools, too. Your race and your children's race would be a non-issue.
That said...DO consider the summer climate, and make a long visit before you move.
Our summers usually run from May 1 to Dec. 1. I'd suggest a trip south during the latter part of July/early August to experience the heat and humidity at its finest!
Whatever you decide, God bless and good luck to you!

[Emeralds52376]

dubuqueaskme
Senior Member


Thank you for the personal advice and insight; that means a lot to me!!! Thank you again to all of you that shared your personal stories - I will take them all to heart!

[hew2a]

you may consider the Nashville/Murfreesboro area. Both are rather progressive (Nashville especially). Murfreesboro is like a little-sister city to Nashville... due to the largest University in TN being here, it's a very diverse and accepting city. Population is between 93,000 and 110,000.

Also, a major State Farm's office is located here. I believe is services the Eastern US (I may be a bit off, but it's huge!).

I can't say you won't experience any racism here at all... My friends just moved here from NJ. They are a biracial couple with biracial children. They love it here. Family loves it too. He's spoke of racism in NY, NJ, as well as TN. To think of it, he only mentioned the bay area of California being the place where they felt they experienced the least racism.

I suggest the area because it's still the South, but one thing about TN is we have very distinct seasons. They last roughly the length they should, and roughly feel as they should. Never too much extreme... except Summers, the humidity gets intense sometime. But there are other Southern states that are worse.

I think it may be worth taking a look at...not to mention Atlanta/ Birmingham/ is only 3hrs away, Chattanooga is 1.5hrs, Memphis is 3.5hrs... not to mention you practically live in Nashville.

[CRPTBAGGER]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Well, what gives is that the South has generally demonstrated a lack of tolerance towards anything and anyone different over the decades. Whether it be people who practice different faiths (or none at all), people of different ethnic backgrounds, people from other countries, gay or lesbian couples, people with mixed marriages, heck, even people who want to gamble or guy liquor on Sundays - the South is not known for it's warm embrace of anything that usually doesn't adhere to a homogenous southern baptist way of morality. It also doesn't help when occasional news reports hit the web, like that preacher north of Atlanta a couple of years back who refused to allow a couple to bury their dead child in the church cemetery because it was mixed race.

The good news, is that "all of the above" is thinning out in some areas of the South, due to the fact that so many people from other areas are migrating here, as well as the old timers who kept a lot of these things going are simply getting old and dying. They're being replaced by younger generations that generally speaking are more tolerant than their parents were.

There are still places in the FAR suburbs around Atlanta where you might get some stares for having mixed kids. Stares - but you won't see burning crosses or see your neighbors sell their homes because you moved in, either. Again, mostly that's in the far burbs, not closer in to the city or the closer burbs that are much more mixed. Now, in the inner city your kids MIGHT catch some hell from black kids. I've known a couple of people over time who have had mixed kids who went to public school intown (which are majority black), and they said their kids were teased by black kids who would call them various names for being mixed. After moving their kids to burbs like Kennesaw or Gwinnett schools (where there's more of a race-mixture in the schools), they didn't have a problem. I doubt however, that you could call this "racism" so much as just kids being mean, as I've never heard of black or white adults in the city saying/doing anything.

Yes, you will definately see a difference in culture if you move from a smaller city in Ohio, down here. Some of those differences will be welcome. Others will make you go, "What the hell is wrong with these people??". Your best bet is to try to swing some time via vacation leave from your job, and come down here and spend some time. A couple of weeks if you can? Maybe rent a place first here, and don't cut all your ties back home so if you wind up not liking it, you can go back more easily if you feel you need to?

It would be naive for me to say that racism or problems do not exist here, because as I said at the beginning, the South has never been known for being the most tolerant place in the U.S. towards a lot of things, and even today, it still isn't. However, it's accurate to say that many stories you hear ARE overinflated and not as widespread as you may think, too. You'll never know unless you give it a test drive.

Hi,
I am originally from Philadelphia/N.J., but have lived all over the South from Raleigh, NC, to Atlanta to Dallas. I can tell you from what I have seen, the South is no different from areas in the North. I am pretty sensitive to what people say and do because I grew up in a neighborhood where we were the only white people --and it was not a bad experience. My sister is also gay and I hear comments on gays all the time. I can tell you that Atlanta has a large African-American Community (or rather many communities). There are people of color in Atlanta who are top earners than anywhere else in the country I have heard. I would find a place with a good mix and go from there.

[marmac]

the OP says --it was -47 for a whole week--------(when talking about Appleton Wisconsin)

I wonder if after her first summer in Georgia she will say,---it was 130 for a whole week-

[mccarley]

Originally Posted by marmac

it was 130 for a whole week-[/i]

I have lived in Ga, Al, Ms, and Tn and it has never been 130 for a minute.

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by hew2a

you may consider the Nashville/Murfreesboro area. Both are rather progressive (Nashville especially). Murfreesboro is like a little-sister city to Nashville... due to the largest University in TN being here, it's a very diverse and accepting city. Population is between 93,000 and 110,000.

Also, a major State Farm's office is located here. I believe is services the Eastern US (I may be a bit off, but it's huge!).

I can't say you won't experience any racism here at all... My friends just moved here from NJ. They are a biracial couple with biracial children. They love it here. Family loves it too. He's spoke of racism in NY, NJ, as well as TN. To think of it, he only mentioned the bay area of California being the place where they felt they experienced the least racism.

I suggest the area because it's still the South, but one thing about TN is we have very distinct seasons. They last roughly the length they should, and roughly feel as they should. Never too much extreme... except Summers, the humidity gets intense sometime. But there are other Southern states that are worse.

I think it may be worth taking a look at...not to mention Atlanta/ Birmingham/ is only 3hrs away, Chattanooga is 1.5hrs, Memphis is 3.5hrs... not to mention you practically live in Nashville.

Tennessee, N GA and N AL are GREAT if you care at all about fall color--barring drought-related damage, that is. Autumn is BEAUTIFUL in those places, I promise.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Emeralds52376

[SIZE=2]Hello :-)

I am 31 year old single mom with 8 and 9 year old boys. We currently live in Appleton, WI - approx 68,000 people. I love the city we live in (the schools are great, it's extremely safe, cheap, my commute to work is only 7 minutes). I am just sick of the cold, ice and snow! It was -47 below for a whole week and we are supposed to get another 12 inches of snow this weekend. I want to move somewhere warmer with a much milder climate!

I have looked at several cities in SC, but was told that SC would not be the best place for me since I am white and my boys are bi-racial. I was told everything from there are still plenty of KKK stores on mainstreet to the fact that bi-racial children and black children are ostrisized (spelling). And that it's not in my or their best interest to live in a state that still freely flies the confederate flag.

I was told beware of 'blackstabbers' & that Northerners are not welcome at all. I was also told that many people are still fighting the 'war'. Call me naive or whatever you wish; but I truly was shocked by this. I live a predomiantly white city and my boys have never been treated poorly or treated differently than their white friends. The school they go to is very diverse; many mexican migrant workers, a few russian students, many asian students, white students, and only a small number of black or biracial students. Don't get me wrong, I have experienced racism here while I have been in smaller towns by older people - but nothing like what I'm told I'll experince if I move down south.

I would love to live in the south (north carolina, northern florida, ga) But I am just not sure where to begin. I have visited Atlanta twice, I loved visiting it; but I'm not sure if I'd like to live in that area - I honestly don't know!

I'd love to live in a city of less than 100,000 people with good schools and many activities to keep us busy. Sports, theatres, museums, malls, parks are important to us. As well as nothing too pricey or commercialized. I currently work in the insurance industry (not selling; LOL). I don't have to stay in this field though.

My mother is moving with us too and she is retired and looking forward to a warmer climate.

I would like to rent an apartment or duplex for a while until I am sure on a city and most of all a neighborhood.

Thank you for all your help, ideas and suggestions. Please - don't hold back in your comments. I was brutally honest and would like to hear the same.
Thanks again!
[/SIZE]

Every place has a degree of racial prejudice and if you are considering the state of GA, the best place I can think of is Gwinnett County, particularly Duluth.

[marmac]

mccarley--------I believe you,have lived in Ga,AL,MS, AND TN and never experienced 130 for a minute---

My comment was to say that I doubt the OP had ever seen the temp at Appleton WI at -47 either.

Some people exagerate greatly on the size of the fish that got away. Some do it on temperatures.

[mccarley]

State by state low temperature records
State Temp. Date Station Elevation
( F) (feet)
Alabama -27 Jan. 30, 1966 New Market 760
Alaska -80 Jan. 23, 1971 Prospect Creek 1,100
Arizona -40 Jan. 7, 1971 Hawley Lake 8,180
Arkansas -29 Feb. 13, 1905 Pond 1,250
California -45 Jan. 20, 1937 Boca 5,532
Colorado -61 Feb. 1, 1985 Maybell 5,920
Connecticut -32 Feb. 16, 1943 Falls Village 585
Delaware -17 Jan. 17, 1893 Millsboro 20
Florida - 2 Feb. 13, 1899 Tallahassee 193
Georgia -17 Jan. 27, 1940 N. Floyd County 1,000
Hawaii 12 May 17, 1979 Mauna Kea 13,770
Idaho -60 Jan. 18, 1943 Island Park Dam 6,285
Illinois -36 Jan. 5, 1999 Congerville 722
Indiana -36 Jan. 19, 1994 New Whiteland 785
Iowa -47 Feb. 3, 1996* Elkader 770
Kansas -40 Feb. 13, 1905 Lebanon 1,812
Kentucky -37 Jan. 19, 1994 Shelbyville 730
Louisiana -16 Feb. 13, 1899 Minden 194
Maine -48 Jan. 19, 1925 Van Buren 458
Maryland -40 Jan. 13, 1912 Oakland 2,461
Massachusetts -35 Jan. 12, 1981 Chester 640
Michigan -51 Feb. 9, 1934 Vanderbilt 785
Minnesota -60 Feb. 2, 1996 Tower 1,430
Mississippi -19 Jan. 30, 1966 Corinth 420
Missouri -40 Feb. 13, 1905 Warsaw 700
Montana -70 Jan. 20, 1954 Rogers Pass 5,470
Nebraska -47 Feb. 12, 1899 Camp Clarke 3,700
Nevada -50 Jan. 8, 1937 San Jacinto 5,200
New Hampshire -47 Jan. 29, 1934 Mt. Washington 6,288
New Jersey -34 Jan. 5, 1904 River Vale 70
New Mexico -50 Feb. 1, 1951 Gavilan 7,350
New York -52 Feb. 18, 1979* Old Forge 1,720
North Carolina -34 Jan. 21, 1985 Mt. Mitchell 6,525
North Dakota -60 Feb. 15, 1936 Parshall 1,929
Ohio -39 Feb. 10, 1899 Milligan 800
Oklahoma -27 Jan. 18, 1930 Watts 958
Oregon -54 Feb. 10, 1933* Seneca 4,700
Pennsylvania -42 Jan. 5, 1904 Smethport est. 1,500
Rhode Island -25 Feb. 5, 1996 Greene 425
South Carolina -19 Jan. 21, 1985 Caesars Head 3,100
South Dakota -58 Feb. 17, 1936 McIntosh 2,277
Tennessee -32 Dec. 30, 1917 Mountain City 2,471
Texas -23 Feb. 8, 1933* Seminole 3,275
Utah -69 Feb. 1, 1985 Peter's Sink 8,092
Vermont -50 Dec. 30, 1933 Bloomfield 915
Virginia -30 Jan. 22, 1985 Mountain Lake 3,870
Washington -48 Dec. 30, 1968 Mazama 2,120
Winthrop 1,755
West Virginia -37 Dec. 30, 1917 Lewisburg 2,200
Wisconsin -55 Feb.4, 1996 Couderay 1,300
Wyoming -66 Feb. 9, 1933 Riverside 6,650