Black Daddy - White Mommy (so what abot the kids?)

[beantown2]

I would look at school and neighborhoods; make that the deciding factor first and foremost--your kids comfort level. If you like a town, but the kids will be miserable in the school, scratch the town.
So 1) look at a map. Figure out radius of towns you might be interested in; factors will include your commute, affordability, quality of schools; then, 2) ask around on this forum. I live in Beverly: major multicultural school system; multiple mixed-race families. The elementary schools are all TREMENDOUS (renovated top to bottom--all of them--and VERY well staffed). The middle school (Briscoe) is a huge old building--massive scale. Lots of character, but gettin' tired: a new building in the works. High School majorly grungy, but in a friendly way--also just tired. New plans approved, architect selected, design underway, shovels will hit the dirt soon. If your kids are little, they will go through this system where everything--all grade levels--will be BRAND NEW as they get into each building. But Beverly-to-Natick is a 128 haul. People do it every day from here, especially if they like the ocean to come home to. But there are good towns with good school systems closer to Natick. It's a matter of what your family wants at that point!

[bishgup]

That is a truism. Kids tend to gravitate toward kids of thier own interest, not based on race. Given that the issue of race is not glaringly obvious. Where I live now, I am the only black man (person) that my kids see, and they see me on the week-ends. We need to make this move for many reasons, most of all so that I can see my family more than just on the weekends.
I feel it is important that my children not grow up into people who have to suddenly realize that they are tokens. I want them to realize that what makes them unique is thier charecture, not thier race, but I want them to have a race pride harmony. Bits from thier mother and thier father, and I feel that is not possible in an area that is not diverse.
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Originally Posted by beantown2

I would look at school and neighborhoods; make that the deciding factor first and foremost--your kids comfort level. If you like a town, but the kids will be miserable in the school, scratch the town.
So 1) look at a map. Figure out radius of towns you might be interested in; factors will include your commute, affordability, quality of schools; then, 2) ask around on this forum. I live in Beverly: major multicultural school system; multiple mixed-race families. The elementary schools are all TREMENDOUS (renovated top to bottom--all of them--and VERY well staffed). The middle school (Briscoe) is a huge old building--massive scale. Lots of character, but gettin' tired: a new building in the works. High School majorly grungy, but in a friendly way--also just tired. New plans approved, architect selected, design underway, shovels will hit the dirt soon. If your kids are little, they will go through this system where everything--all grade levels--will be BRAND NEW as they get into each building. But Beverly-to-Natick is a 128 haul. People do it every day from here, especially if they like the ocean to come home to. But there are good towns with good school systems closer to Natick. It's a matter of what your family wants at that point!

[Hatless Wonder]

I'm a Black woman married to a White man. We've had very few problems. Even apartment-hunting was surprisingly easy.

As far as towns, Somerville, Everett, and Worcester are diverse and affordable, especially Worcester.

[lele'sleavingri]

I would reccommend West Roxbury, Roslindale, or even Dedham love those areas, close to city but also a smaller town feel. Don't know what your budget is but Framingham is nice also (very close to Natick)

oh, misread the original post about moving between Natick and Maine

[seldomseen]

The closer you live towards the 128 loop...you will find more diversity, acceptance/tolerance/education you'll find in Mass. While Mass isn't really a bad place to live...I've found that it really isn't the most culturally diverse state to live in. Yes, there is culture in Mass, but you there really aren't many culturally diversed cities/towns in Mass though, with the expection of a few. Just keep in mind that...the closer you live to the 128 loop the more racial/cultural diversity you will find, and come into contact with.

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by Hatless Wonder

I'm a Black woman married to a White man. We've had very few problems. Even apartment-hunting was surprisingly easy.

As far as towns, Somerville, Everett, and Worcester are diverse and affordable, especially Worcester.

Worcester is a good city in its own right, not just as a bedroom community to Boston. Many people commute from here to Boston. I don't much care for commuting, and so work close to home, but when I need to go into Boston on business or pleasure, I love to take the commuter rail. Parking is cheap and I get lots down during the train ride. The housing options are infinitely cheaper!

[seldomseen]

Randolph, Holbrook, Braintree, Quincy, Milton, Canton, Norwood aren't bad places to live either. If you're looking for a lot of diversity in a suburbs, you definately won't find much of it in Ma.