Moving to Manchester? (Nashua: fit in, neighborhood, living in)

[sbs2010]

Hello all, I have been offered a very good job in Manchester. I will be visiting this week and will look around a bit but I do have a question. I've looked at the demographic information and noticed that there is a very small african-american population. My question is, how do the locals treat other races. I am bi-racial and have never had this type of problem. I have lived all over. I am originally from the midwest and have also lived in the southeast, southwest, and west, so I am used to adjusting. I am married with two kids and just want to make sure this is a good place for us culturally.

What are your thoughts?

[Sikaranista]

Originally Posted by sbs2010

Hello all, I have been offered a very good job in Manchester. I will be visiting this week and will look around a bit but I do have a question. I've looked at the demographic information and noticed that there is a very small african-american population. My question is, how do the locals treat other races. I am bi-racial and have never had this type of problem. I have lived all over. I am originally from the midwest and have also lived in the southeast, southwest, and west, so I am used to adjusting. I am married with two kids and just want to make sure this is a good place for us culturally.

What are your thoughts?

Congrats on the job!

Can't say about the smaller towns in the area, but in the two largest cities (Nashua and Manchester -- 20 miles apart) there is not much of an issue. Be sure to check out Nashua while you are here, its an easy commute to Manchester, with lots of good places to live. Both cities are very liveable, I think Nashua is a touch more sophisticated.

My particular neighborhood is rather diverse. We have people of just about every color and ethnicity imaginable, including many families that are new to the United States. In my building alone there are individuals/families that have emigrated from Korea, Brazil, Greece, and India...as well as American families of white, black, and Latino heritages. I usually see kids of different heritage out playing or hanging around in the pool...haven't seen any issues with adults either.

NH isn't the most diverse state to be sure, and I can't say that we are completely free of ignorant people. However, most folks up here are educated and open-minded people. I am white, my former bf was dark-skinned and spoke English with a heavy accent. We never had any issues when we were together.

[sbs2010]

Thanks so much for your honest response. I really appreciate it. I know there is ignorance everywhere for sure. I just wanted to get an opinion from someone who lives there. My family and I will probably be there for a long time and it was an important part of our decision since we had never lived there and we don't know anyone there. While there, I will definitely visit Nashua. Thanks for that tip.

[GotBackHome]

it's true that NH is predominantly white - not a great deal of any other colors/race/ethnicity - with the exception of French-Canadian . But in general, no one really cares much about your skin color, only what sort of person you are inside. People may be a little stand-offish at first, but that's mostly because they are waiting to see a)how well you fit in and whether you will or will start trying to change things and b) how/if you'll deal with winter.

[sbs2010]

I think me and my family will fit in just fine with the people. Now the dealing with the winters remains to be seen.

[CrazyDave]

well speaking as one of those "old toothless white trash bikers" I care nothing about your racial heritage,I am far more concerned about an individuals attitude and the general manner in which they conduct themselves. So come to Manchester, just come as an asset not a liability.

[sbs2010]

I am looking forward to the move. You guys have been a huge help! Thanks.

[tackleberry]

where there are some non white areas, how bad are they? living in vegas right now i cant seem to get away from diversity. not that im saying its bad, but unfortunately in my experience i end up living next to or near a black or latino person that is loud and obnoxious with their music and way of living and i want to avoid that. i could care less if my neighbor is black just as long as they are not obnoxius and loud. most of my friends are latinos and while they are quiet and calm, seems like the ones i move near are not lol.

[iclyde]

My partner and I have lived in Manchester for 10 years - no discrimination whatsoever as a gay couple - people are very accepting and open here. I wouldn't worry about being bi-racial whatsoever!

Welcome to NH!