Another Williamsport Question (condo, unemployed, neighborhoods) - Pennsylvania (PA) - City-Data Forum

char65 · 07-03-2008, 07:34 PM

Hello:

My husband may be considering an offer in Williamsport that will require us moving to the area within the next few years. I've read through a couple of the Williamsport forums and have an idea of the area, but need additional information on everybody's favorite topic: Race.

Neither my husband and I have ever lived in an area with a small percentage of minorities, and if I judge by some of the responses in the other Williamsport's forum, it seems that we will be coming into an area that will assume that we are addicts, drug dealers, or thieves, and wouldn't be welcomed. My goal isn't to be offensive to anyone, nor do I mean to come across as if I think everyone in the area will have the same attitude. I'm really just trying to get a general idea of what to expect if we move to the area.

Again, my goal isn't to offend (or draw out any trolls.) Thanks.

W-B proud · 07-03-2008, 10:23 PM

I don't live in Williamsport, but I used to have a job that required me to travel there once or twice a week. From what I've seen, Williamsport seems to have a large black population for a city its size. I don't see why you'd have any problems living there. It's not like some ****** town that is gonna be chasing you out of town with lit tourches or something.

char65 · 07-04-2008, 10:54 AM

LOL...That's good to know. If we move to the area, it's good to know that we won't have to unpack our running shoes first.

skhimmelreich · 07-06-2008, 09:09 PM

You will be fine in Williamsport! If you are decent people you will not be looked at like criminals here. If you roll in with 13 kids, on welfare with a gun in your back pocket...well then you might have some trouble fitting in.

But in all seriousness, you won't even stand out here

Good luck to you.

char65 · 07-07-2008, 06:43 PM

Thanks, Skhimmelreich!

That's really the answer that we were looking for, although I'm disheartened that we will have to leave the 13 kids and guns in Texas if we move.

All jest aside, we are fairly decent people and for the most part, tend to prefer blending into the woodwork. Your answer supports that it shouldn't too difficult to do this (no more than the usual "new people moving into an old neighborhood" situation.) Thanks again for taking the time to answer!

dogghosts · 07-08-2008, 04:46 PM

I think you will be treated the way you act. Most people treat others with a degree of respect until they get additude thrown at them. I am not saying you are like that, you dont sound like it.
But if you are not one of the chip on the shoulder group you will have no problems.
I too had to travel to Williamsport often with my job. Back in 1976 Williamsport was vastly different than it is now.
Around 1980 or so some of the big citys with large unemployed minority populations started to ship out there problems to surounding areas. This made it look like the problem in their area was getting better. In fact all they were doing was moving the problems.
Williamsport was one of the unlucky destinations for a large number of problem people.
This caused a great deal of bad feelings in the area.
Things would be better if the Govt. left things alone.
If any group of people slowly move to an area for jobs and a better life there is little or no problems.
When the Govt jams an area with hundreds of welfare people that upset the living conditions in any area there is going to be deep resentment.
It happend in Phila back in the 50s when the restriction that said you had to be a resident for two years to get welfare in Phila. was struck down.
This cause a flood of poor blacks from the south to pour into Phila. About half of Phila. is now a burned out war zone and the rest is teetering.

char65 · 07-08-2008, 06:21 PM

No chips here. And no attitude. Both my husband and I want to be judged on our own merits and we do the same with others. We are friendly "southerners" and attempt to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

I had read previously on the board about the people who were shipped to Williamsport for a drug rehabiliation program, which originally prompted me to post this question. I gathered that most residents interactions with minorities in the area involved the participants of this program. I'm not condoning it, but it's human nature to make assumptions based on your experiences (i.e., if you are bitten by the first three dogs that you meet, it's not difficult to come to the conclusion that all dogs bite.) Thanks for your response!

dogghosts · 07-10-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by char65

No chips here. And no attitude. Both my husband and I want to be judged on our own merits and we do the same with others. We are friendly "southerners" and attempt to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

I had read previously on the board about the people who were shipped to Williamsport for a drug rehabiliation program, which originally prompted me to post this question. I gathered that most residents interactions with minorities in the area involved the participants of this program. I'm not condoning it, but it's human nature to make assumptions based on your experiences (i.e., if you are bitten by the first three dogs that you meet, it's not difficult to come to the conclusion that all dogs bite.) Thanks for your response!

Very funny, I have said the same thing that you said about the dogs thing only a bit different.
I said " if you touch a hot iron and get burnt you watch out for the next one".
A lot of racial tension and problems stem from that condition on both sides.

The area we live in has a mix or races. There has been no problems here in large because we all are doing the same thing , working our butts off trying to stay ahead of the bills.

You sound like you will be OK . I am sure you will run into
the " got bit three times people" but just go around them , they will get over it.

char65 · 07-11-2008, 10:39 PM

Thanks. I'm also getting the feeling that we will be OK if the move should take place. And I agree regarding your racial tension comment. I've seen too many situations get blown out of proportion (on both sides) because of people not giving each other a benefit of a doubt. So I always do...at least the first few times.

wanneroo · 07-12-2008, 03:44 PM

My sister and husband have lived in williamsport for several years. They are a mixed race couple and they've never had a sideway look. Williamsport has some nice neighborhoods, the downtown is getting cleaned up and is looking quite nice and you are in a good geographic location to plenty of outdoor activities. I do know there is a lot of resentment over the bringing of welfare junkies into town and yes it obvious there is a problem. Hopefully the plug can get pulled on all that soon and these people can start contributing to society instead of getting into trouble and making more welfare babies. It's a small town with big city problems, but as long as you stay out of certain places and lock your doors it seems fairly safe.