Muslim Mom Relocating to Georgia (Atlanta, Snellville: leasing, daycare, buying a home)

[Newherebutny]

After years of tossing this idea around in my head and life circumstances I'm leaving NY hopefully by the end of this year. After much weighing of pros and cons I've decided on Georgia. I'm a muslim single mom recently divorced or will be when I get there with a 2 year old toddler. I'm looking for suburban living with nice muslim population muslim daycare if at all possible. I don't mind driving into a busy atmosphere for work but I would like to come home to peace and quiet. As far as jobs goes I'll seek one when I can find some areas in Georgia that mesh with what I'm looking for in terms of muslim population, daycare and housing. Eventually I intend on buying a home but for now renting one or leasing with option to buy is the route I was hoping to go. Can anyone advice on areas in Georgia that fit this criteria? Any insight would be appreciated.

[atlantagreg30127]

You will need to live in Atlanta, or, parts of Gwinnett County. Others can better suggest exactly which specific areas of Gwinnett, but you might want to kiss the "peace and quiet when I get home" part goodbye in either location. LOL. For TRUE peace and quiet when you get home, you'd have to hit the outer suburban areas. Each suburb is a bit different, but my personal word used to describe suburban acceptance of Muslims in general would be "chilly", though again it might vary especially again, in parts of Gwinnett.

You can get by walking around in the city or Gwinnett (parts) wearing a "hijab" in public, but I can think of a couple of towns in the State where you would receive some verbal comments (negative) about it openly. Other areas might see people more openly silent about it, but they could most likely create ice cycles in the air with the stares you'll get. Depends on the area of course. Here is an interesting article about "culture clashes" in a recent event in a suburban courtroom here: http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/12/17/hijab.html (broken link) . Now granted, the woman also CUSSED OUT the security officers (NOT a good idea no matter who you are), but it's still a sore spot in that area.

Remember, Atlanta (and it's burbs) isn't NYC, and people here aren't as used to see the huge mix of people/religion/cultures mingling in public as they are in NYC - especially in the burbs. Sometimes the mix goes well, other times there's some tension. ( Just laying it on the line openly for you ).

[Iconographer]

The Mosque on 14th St in Midtown could be a good resource for you...there is a school located next to the Mosque.

www.religion.emory.edu/faculty/robbins/sites/SitesIslam.pdf

[Vicky31ga]

I am from Gwinnett county. There are allot of muslims that live in and around the Snellville, Lawerenceville and Lilburn area.