help for interracial couple wanting to people south (Atlanta, Columbus: transplants, crime)

[movesouth]

we are an older couple with no small kids that would like to move south for the warmer climate. we have visited georgia, mississippi, arkansas, tennessee, kentucy, and alabama. my husband is white and i am black. i found city-data through my aunt trying to help me with this search, but i have found even on this site that there are opposing views to the same places. i really need some advice on the best areas to live. we are really thinking about georgia. i have looked at valdosta, vidalia, winston, decatur, lake city,and garden city in georgia. but i have also researched other places in alabama and even texas. i found really welcome thoughts on these areas and any thoughts on great places for us. we really would like something in the country, since we live in the country, in what is called the illinois valley. i have read from replies on this site that the farther out you go the more there can be problems, but we are hoping that there are some small areas that are welcoming with some great acreage.

[atlantagreg30127]

For the most part, these days there aren't issue with interracial couples. Admittedly, you tend to see many more black male/white female couples than you do black female/white male couples. Still, unless you move to some remote small town like a Pookhickyville, Alabama type of place, chances are you won't have issues. Now, by reading some comments in another thread going in here, you might however, sometimes catch a 'tude from black women in Atlanta if you have a White husband. I dunno - maybe black women can clear that up more. Still, generally, it's no biggie.

Decatur (inside the city) is fine. Very mixed area. Virginia Highlands is also nice. Even Savannah in SE Georgia isn't freaked out by stuff like this anymore as it's a funky mix of all types of folks (if you can stand the humidity in the Summer).

[MoreCowbell]

Out of the places you listed I personally would want to live in Decatur or Garden City. However, I'm not sure either qualifies as "the country"...well, I KNOW Decatur doesn't. Newnan may be of interest to you, and I agree that Virginia Highlands is very nice.
What I have seen of Garden City is all suburbs, there may be more to it. The guys in the Savannah forum would probably be able to help with that. Savannah is a LOVELY area, it is on "our list."
I love Decatur because it has great restaurants, neighborhoods, etc. There is a lot of diversity there. Some of our best friends just bought their first house togther in Decatur a few weeks ago, and they happen to also be an interracial couple. They have lived in the area for several years and haven't had any issues.
Vidalia is a cute little town but the middle of NOWHERE. If that is what you're going for it would work well but I personally would want a more hilly area of the state, with more green. It is closer to the coast than I am though, is the ocean of any consequence to you guys? It is to me, so I immediately noticed that if you choose Valdosta you'll be closer to Florida.
I have been to Valdosta and Vidalia once each, so I have no idea what people are like there. I would be worried about racism, truthfully. I live in a smaller town near Columbus and have lived in a few others in the area, and racism is an issue. It is one of the reasons my husband and I are moving away from here, actually.
How warm are you looking for? If you want "some winter" I would look north of Atlanta, around Blairsville or maybe the outskirts of Athens. Athens is more liberal and has some beautiful countryside (Winder, Commerce, etc.)

[Shagbark Hickory]

Are you looking to retire or do you have work lined up?

I would strongly advise you not to leave your life behind just because of weather.

Where are you coming from and what other things are you looking for or not looking for in a place

[tigafan]

The cities outside of Savannah have acreage. Pooler, Effingham, Garden City, Rincon.....I don't think Richmond Hill has many places with acreage anymore, but I don't really get out there. All of the other places are a reasonable distance to Savannah and are actually getting a lot of conveniences that Savannah has.... like Walmart, lots of fast food, drs offices, etc. Savannah and the outlying areas are pretty used to seeing interracial couples. Personally, I think the harmony here could be a lot better---it just seems with elections and stuff, crime, education it reeks of a bad feeling of blame, hate, criticisms against the other race. But it generally subsides to a tolerable level but it always seems to be there...... I just wish it would go away and make this city a more fun and much friendlier city. Don't get me wrong...Savannah isn't a warring city with any of this blaring in the headlines, it just always seems to blow up about every four years or so and I guess it really just has to do with those topics of politics, education/schools and crime - all sides equally represented in the griping and blaming. But you can do as I do....just surround yourself with great positive friends, ignore the hoopla, ignore the losers that blame and complain, promote harmony and enjoy life down here in a beautiful area. Honestly, I don't know ANY negative people like that and I've lived here for almost 18 years. I guess I just read about it in the news......

[afonega1]

Actually you could live in one of the suburbs of Atlanta and get plenty of land for cheap.Especially 45 min going in almost all directions.I would try Henry county.Like Mcdonough,Lovejoy or Hampton.Also look into being in the Warner Robins area.near Macon Georgia.Huge military base there.There are many interracial couples.I know a younger couple that lives there.He is white and she is black.They have never had any problems whatsoever.I grew up there.I live in Atlanta now.My parents moved back there from Atlanta to retire.They love it.You will feel very comfortable there.However it is boring for a single guy like me in his mid 30's

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by tigafan

The cities outside of Savannah have acreage. Pooler, Effingham, Garden City, Rincon.....I don't think Richmond Hill has many places with acreage anymore, but I don't really get out there. All of the other places are a reasonable distance to Savannah and are actually getting a lot of conveniences that Savannah has.... like Walmart, lots of fast food, drs offices, etc. Savannah and the outlying areas are pretty used to seeing interracial couples. Personally, I think the harmony here could be a lot better---it just seems with elections and stuff, crime, education it reeks of a bad feeling of blame, hate, criticisms against the other race. But it generally subsides to a tolerable level but it always seems to be there...... I just wish it would go away and make this city a more fun and much friendlier city. Don't get me wrong...Savannah isn't a warring city with any of this blaring in the headlines, it just always seems to blow up about every four years or so and I guess it really just has to do with those topics of politics, education/schools and crime - all sides equally represented in the griping and blaming. But you can do as I do....just surround yourself with great positive friends, ignore the hoopla, ignore the losers that blame and complain, promote harmony and enjoy life down here in a beautiful area. Honestly, I don't know ANY negative people like that and I've lived here for almost 18 years. I guess I just read about it in the news......

That is a good way to be!Now if we can get more people to think this way ,that would be the gravy!!

[movesouth]

first of all i have to thank everyone for all of their great advice. i am sorry that i have not answered any of the questions that were asked of me, but i have been so busy with so many different things.

so... to try and answer the questions that were asked. we are looking for somewhere that we can go to at first when the weather is bad here and will be a premanent place to live down the road. we would also not miss cold weather in any way at all. we have both had over 35yrs of dealing with it and older age does not want to deal with it any longer. the older bones of us both are really tired of freezing our buns off and trying to start a car in below temp/plus wind chill. not to mention the snooowwww. pretty to look at but not great fun when you have to go out in it to work and grocery shop etc etc. so if your figuring out how much we are tired of this cold weather of marseilles,il, which is where we live for those that wondered where it was that we live, then you have gotten a great picture i hope.

we are also trying to get out of our great state because of how the property taxes are continually going up. we were paying almost 6000.00 last year. it is over 6000.00 for this year. therefore, people are being taxed right out of homes that have been paid for,for years. it is very sad what is going on in our great state. as is it will probably be really hard because of this to sell our house even if the market was not down at the moment.

as for what we are looking for, a great area to live in, with great neighbors. neighbors that don't burn their garbage themselves...yucky smell coming in your bedroom window when your trying to rest. land because of my husbands vehicles. i would love living near the water, so would he but, we would not love being flooded out or a huricane and would not really like a tornado either but, then no one does. well i hope i have answered your questions and i am going to check out all of the places that you guys suggested.

[Mr. Speedy]

Originally Posted by movesouth

we are an older couple with no small kids that would like to move south for the warmer climate. we have visited georgia, mississippi, arkansas, tennessee, kentucy, and alabama. my husband is white and i am black. i found city-data through my aunt trying to help me with this search, but i have found even on this site that there are opposing views to the same places. i really need some advice on the best areas to live. we are really thinking about georgia. i have looked at valdosta, vidalia, winston, decatur, lake city,and garden city in georgia. but i have also researched other places in alabama and even texas. i found really welcome thoughts on these areas and any thoughts on great places for us. we really would like something in the country, since we live in the country, in what is called the illinois valley. i have read from replies on this site that the farther out you go the more there can be problems, but we are hoping that there are some small areas that are welcoming with some great acreage.

My wife and I are transplants from California. We moved to Sugar Hill in Gwinnett in 03'. The crime is relatively low and the community is sprawling. This is considered North Georgia. If you go further north you will find more land but the tolerance level is lower (lots more rebel flags) but still less drama than in the south of Atlanta.
Check out Henry county.