Comfortable/friendly cities for an African-American family? (New York, Buffalo: renters, homes)

[Jambalaya]

Albany is not that nice either. I have seen very little blatant racism here (e.g., someone calling another person by a racist name in public) but I find that while the social climate is not overtly unfriendly, it's not friendly either.

Also, re. the post that mentioned Troy and Schenectady A.A. community not being the "hardworking, well-educated, family type", I'd disagree. The issue with most of the African America communities I see in Troy, Albany, and Schenectady is nothing to do with not being hardworking etc. Many of them work hard and care for their families. But they're not well-off and do not have higher levels of education. That's it. There's not really a strong, Black, middle-class community in Albany. You will have to hunt for other A.A. families like yours for socializing.

I'd say stay away from upstate NY.

[Dr Funky]

Originally Posted by sheistbugz

newburgh is like half black. Maybe you'll like it there if you looked around. You won't be able to go to far upstate and fit in too well.

isnt it also poor as hell?

[tviz25]

Just throwing some populations and racial make-ups of cities in NY in the 30,000-40,000 population range

Races in Elmira:30,940

White Non-Hispanic (80.8%)
Black (13.1%)
Hispanic (3.1%)
Two or more races (2.6%)
Other race (1.4%)
American Indian (0.9%)


Races in Binghamton:42,777

White Non-Hispanic (81.7%)
Black (8.4%)
Hispanic (3.9%)
Two or more races (3.1%)
Other race (1.7%)
Chinese (0.9%)
American Indian (0.8%)
Vietnamese (0.8%)
Other Asian (0.6%)


Races in Ithaca:29,287

White Non-Hispanic (71.3%)
Black (6.7%)
Chinese (5.7%)
Hispanic (5.3%)
Two or more races (3.4%)
Other Asian (3.0%)
Asian Indian (1.9%)
Other race (1.9%)
Korean (1.6%)
American Indian (1.0%)
Japanese (0.7%)


Races in Jamestown:31,730

White Non-Hispanic (89.0%)
Hispanic (4.9%)
Black (3.4%)
Two or more races (2.2%)
Other race (1.8%)
American Indian (1.2%)


Races in Poughkeepsie:42,777

White Non-Hispanic (80.0%)
Black (8.1%)
Hispanic (5.3%)
Asian Indian (2.2%)
Two or more races (2.0%)
Other race (1.6%)
Chinese (1.6%)

[eileen824]

Superkitten: Hi! hope your search is going well. I cannot address upstate, but I can advise you as to the areas commutable to Manhattan. Your lifestyle and $$ situation has to be a HUGE factor for consideration. When you are asking about upstate NY vs. a Manhattan area, it is like comparing L.A. to Fresno, Sacramaento, Pasadena etc. I am not talking about racial makeup, I am talking about cost of living / lifestyle / attitudes of living in or near L.A. and NY vs much smaller cities further away. Many of those who post on those would NEVER wish to live ANYWHERE close to NYC, although they love NY (hey listen, I wonder myself about living closer to NYC - its way expensive here, I even want to get out!). But for you there may be benefits. There are middle and upper class Black families scattered throughout Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess counties - all accessable to NYC. If you are looking for a lifestyle / attitudes / expense comparable to living in L.A., then I think the Manhattan accessable areas would be a better choice - I think you would be facing the same issues even in CA. Specific towns can vary widely around here. For example, some towns are like 1% black and others are more than 10%, but that is giving you only a small picture. A more racially accepting town that has more than just pockets of segregated races is White Plains, NY. (and the towns immediately around this small city) There are rentals, condos, and it is Very accessable to NYC. All areas around Manhattan are going to be expensive, but that shouldn't shock you coming from LA - it would be the same deal, just less spread out as L.A. You will need in the neighborhood of $500K for a starter house and competition will be fierce!
An excellent area for racial diversity at different class levels is Stamford , CT - only about 30 minutes from White Plains over the CT border. This city has all areas from dumps to extreme wealth - plenty of rentals and starter homes, and it is coastal if you think you may miss that! Norwalk, CT is a little further up, also coastal, mush less rich of a town but still has an artsy feel in the south area - good for families and different races, a little more affordable(but still expensive) and VERY commutable to Manhattan by train(forget driving, traffic on I95 is a mess!). If you further consider NYC, get one of those maps that details a 50 mile radius, and explore further from there. If you want to know about Westchester, Putnam, Fairfield counties, I can help> I am white, not a realtor, just a stuck in the burbs housewife who has traveled, worked and lived in many places - even LA - (before marriage and kids) - now I travel mostly vicariously through these boards! Good Luck!

[Patisha]

You may find more of what you are looking for in counties outside NYC such as Rockland and Orange. I lived in Upstate/Western NY my whole life and it is really segregated which is a shame.

[shibainu]

If you are looking for middle class African American on the east coast and not too far from nyc. I would suggest Maryland and north Virigina. Right now maryland and nova are closer to ny metro than Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester. Plus the economy and diversity are better. The African American population is more middle to upper middle class in thoses area's. But this is just a suggestion.

[shibainu]

Originally Posted by tviz25

Just throwing some populations and racial make-ups of cities in NY in the 30,000-40,000 population range

Races in Elmira:30,940

White Non-Hispanic (80.8%)
Black (13.1%)
Hispanic (3.1%)
Two or more races (2.6%)
Other race (1.4%)
American Indian (0.9%)


Races in Binghamton:42,777

White Non-Hispanic (81.7%)
Black (8.4%)
Hispanic (3.9%)
Two or more races (3.1%)
Other race (1.7%)
Chinese (0.9%)
American Indian (0.8%)
Vietnamese (0.8%)
Other Asian (0.6%)


Races in Ithaca:29,287

White Non-Hispanic (71.3%)
Black (6.7%)
Chinese (5.7%)
Hispanic (5.3%)
Two or more races (3.4%)
Other Asian (3.0%)
Asian Indian (1.9%)
Other race (1.9%)
Korean (1.6%)
American Indian (1.0%)
Japanese (0.7%)


Races in Jamestown:31,730

White Non-Hispanic (89.0%)
Hispanic (4.9%)
Black (3.4%)
Two or more races (2.2%)
Other race (1.8%)
American Indian (1.2%)


Races in Poughkeepsie:42,777

White Non-Hispanic (80.0%)
Black (8.1%)
Hispanic (5.3%)
Asian Indian (2.2%)
Two or more races (2.0%)
Other race (1.6%)
Chinese (1.6%)

African American Median family household income:
Elmira = 21,546
Ithaca=26,959
Binghamton=18,170
Jamestown=20,862
Poughkeepsie=25,243

example of couple of diverse area in maryland
DC suburb
Races in Rockville,md: total population 60,000

White Non-Hispanic (61.9%)
Hispanic (11.7%)
Black (9.1%)
Chinese (6.1%)
Other race (4.8%)
Two or more races (3.1%)
Asian Indian (2.1%)
Korean (2.0%)
Other Asian (1.5%)
Filipino (1.2%)
Japanese (1.2%)
American Indian (0.9%)
Vietnamese (0.7%)

Columbia,md total pop 88,000
Baltimore Suburb
Races in Columbia:

White Non-Hispanic (64.4%)
Black (21.5%)
Hispanic (4.1%)
Two or more races (2.8%)
Asian Indian (2.0%)
Chinese (1.9%)
Korean (1.8%)
Other race (1.6%)
American Indian (0.8%)
Other Asian (0.5%)
African American Median family household income:
rockville =46,164
Columbia=61,012

Marylands familyhousehold data is a little higher since 2000 census.Also education levels are much higher than New York.But it is just an example of a diverse area.It is sad to think that most African Americans in upstate ny are poor or very near poverty levels.

[I'minformed2]

It's sad that you aren't very intelligent and don't realize that the cost of living in the DC area is 3x as high as it is in Upstate NY, so the difference in actual income makes pretty much no difference in the quality of life in the two areas at all.

[shibainu]

Originally Posted by i'minformed

It's sad that you aren't very intelligent and don't realize that the cost of living in the DC area is 3x as high as it is in Upstate NY, so the difference in actual income makes pretty much no difference in the quality of life in the two areas at all.

You have know idea what you are talking about for a person that has a screen named i'minformed. Most of your post have very weak arguments, just like the one above . If you disagree with my post that is find. But if you want to challenge what I said back it up with facts.

D.C. is three times expensive.Then explain this:

in 2000 stats:
columbia md the average african american family household income was $60,812
their per cap income was $25,810.
The average price home was $164,000
home ownership 21%
property Tax $13.46 per 1,000. 164x13.46=$2207
(house/income=how many times income) 164,000/60,812= 2.69

rockville md was AA household income was 47,026
per cap income was 16,520
average price home was 146,300
home ownership 11%
property tax $13.42 per 1,000 =$1959
146,300/47,026=3.1

Binghamton AA family income $19,196 household
per cap income was $8,935.
The average house price was $75,800
home ownership 2%
property tax $26.20 x 75=$1965
75,800/19,196= 3.94

Poughkeepsie: AA family household income $24,570
per cap income $10,988
average house price $93,700
Home ownership 7%
property tax $20.38 x 93 =1895
93,700/24,570=3.81

Ithaca AA family household income $26,993 per income $10,998. Average home price $72,800
Home Ownership 6%
property tax $28.25x 72 = $2034
72,800/26,993=2.7

Rochester AA family household income $24,946
per cap income $11,744
average home price $56,100
home ownership 11%
property tax $30.10 x 56=$1685
56,100/24,946 = 2.2

I could not use African American data for 2005 because the census does not have ethnic groups updated.
All races:
Current markets:
Rockville
median income = $78,200
per cap income = $36,182
average price of home= $417,600
Renters make up 30.25%
417,600/78,200 =5.34

columbia
median income =80,720
per cap income = 39,661
average price of home=$428,700
Renters make up 32.08%
428,700/80,720=5.31

Poughkeepsie
median income =$64,500 city/data, $30,591 sperling
per cap income =$17,813
average price of home= $282,600city/data,$330,400 sperling
Renters make up 57.62%
282,600/64,500= 4.38
330,400/30,591=10.8
average btwn the 2 data sets=7.59

Ithaca
median income = 42,304
per cap income =$13,408
average price of home=$228,300
Renters make up 70.36%
228,300/42,304=5.39

So to break down this information. Md cities vs Upstate ny cities you will see that Upstate pays more in taxes. Has less African Americans owning homes, more people rent in upstate cities than own their homes.You will also see that even though upstate houses are cheaper that it is actually more expensive to live in their cities and you can find that by the per cap income. You will see also in past times and current that Maryland is not as expensive as i'minformed is claiming. If they were more expensive than Upstate than less people would own their homes and they would have less income per cap. You will also notice that I took the price of the home and divided by household income for each city to show that it is not 3x more expensive as i'minformed states. For example rockville African American population in 2000 was 146,300/47,026=3.1. So The house cost 3.1 x income. Binghamton was 75,800/19,196= 3.94. So the house cost 3.94 x income. So Binghamton was higher, but I thought Maryland was more expensive. So you say that was old news. So currently rockville md for total population is 417,600/78,200 =5.34. So 5.34 x income. Ithaca was228,300/42,304=5.39. So 5.39x income. Ithaca was a little higher but not by much. But if rockville was more expensive than ithaca than that number should have been greatly higher. Why was it the number lower if Upstate ny is suppose to be cheaper? Their is a mass deception with how expensive areas are in america. Some people believe that because an area house is a lot than it must be expensive. This is not always the case. In this data I did not add mortgage rates and other expenses because they truely vary by person. But in the end the per cap income for upstate ny for African americans is very low.

One last question to anyone. Which is more expensive: earning $80,000 a year and buying a slice of pizza for $2.75 or earning $42,304 paying $2.25 for slice of pizza?

[xxosaryoxx]

Originally Posted by sheistbugz

newburgh is like half black. Maybe you'll like it there if you looked around. You won't be able to go to far upstate and fit in too well.

the outer parts of newburgh, and the surrounding areas such as walkill and new windsor are very nice. however the inner parts of newburgh are almost as bad as the bronx... i wouldnt want to go to newburgh schools, nor would i want to send my children there.. beacon's much better as far as school, and beacon's really cleaned up in the last 10 years.