Mixed race family moving south (Tampa, Orlando: low crime, house prices, good schools)

[WVLady2021]

We are a mixed race family (black and white) who are considering a move to the Pensacola area in the next 2 years. We currently live in wv and would like to introduce a more diverse community to our children- 16, 12, 8.
We have looked at pensacola and the surrounding areas because of the proximity of beaches but we are also considering the Savannah /Brunswick Ga area. As it stands we prefer Pensacola because of the nicer beaches. Is this a wise move for us?

I work in the legal field and my husband is in IT.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by WVLady2021

We are a mixed race family (black and white) who are considering a move to the Pensacola area in the next 2 years. We currently live in wv and would like to introduce a more diverse community to our children- 16, 12, 8.
We have looked at pensacola and the surrounding areas because of the proximity of beaches but we are also considering the Savannah /Brunswick Ga area. As it stands we prefer Pensacola because of the nicer beaches. Is this a wise move for us?

I work in the legal field and my husband is in IT.

While I do love Savannah, I do believe you guys would be very happy in Pensacola. You are right - the beaches are spectacular and downtown P'cola is very nice with tons of shops and restaurants. There are a lot of "good old boys" around these parts, but folks seem to be accepting and nice. It is a very conservative part of the world - lots of Trump flags and such (this is not a judgment or value statement - just an empirical observation). Regardless, the very majority of the folks are great. If you have not done so already, I would suggest you come down on vacation for several days and see for yourself. We moved to this area (in neighboring Orange Beach, AL) from Atlanta, and really love it.

[beachmouse]

On one hand, anything north of I-10 is effectively Alabama, especially when you're talking north Santa Rosa County. On the other hand, it's a military town and the military is actually a pretty big positive force in knocking back overt racism. (I can think of a couple of businesses in the Ft. Walton Beach area that went under when they were placed on the DoD no-go for discriminating against non-white service members)

Schools in Escambia can be pretty hit or miss. If your budget allows for the Gulf Breeze-Navarre area, south Santa Rosa is, IMO more welcoming of diversity than the north side of that county is, and the school decision tree is less fraught than it is on the Pensacola side. The housing stock can be a little cookie cutter, but once the bridge is fixed, it's a pretty straightforward shot into downtown Pensacola and the beach from there.

[cjairo191]

You should head further south in Florida for diversity. Orlando or Tampa area.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by cjairo191

You should head further south in Florida for diversity. Orlando or Tampa area.

Good point. Dade/Broward as well.

[Grace512]

If I were moving to Florida, I would ask about the safest places to live. Diversity would be down on the list. Safety, good schools, low crime, affordable housing (well that is relative I suppose since house prices are through the roof right now)

[cjairo191]

Originally Posted by Grace512

If I were moving to Florida, I would ask about the safest places to live. Diversity would be down on the list. Safety, good schools, low crime, affordable housing (well that is relative I suppose since house prices are through the roof right now)

Each to their own. Some actually like to be near their communities.

[CrosbyStills]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

... There are a lot of "good old boys" around these parts, but folks seem to be accepting and nice. It is a very conservative part of the world - lots of Trump flags and such (this is not a judgment or value statement - just an empirical observation). Regardless, the very majority of the folks are great...

Ummm, if it's not a judgment or value statement, why the need to say "Regardless, the very majority of the folks are great...?" Congratulations, you've just made a judgment / value statement. At the very least you inferred one.

FWIW, I'm a 'Good ol boy' that flies Trump flags, AND I'm in a 23 year mixed marriage, where both have high level educations and employment. One might even be a university Registrar. Supporting Trump and his vision for the country is not a support vote for racism or intolerance. It is a support vote for common-sense values, right and wrong, and personal accountability for one's actions. It is a support vote for America over other countries. Since there are not enough resources in the world to support the entire globe at our standard of living, we should continue to enjoy what we have earned while helping others to earn it also - but not hand it away freely. That helps no one. That fosters entitlement and a lack of self-respect and personal dignity.

You say 'good ol boys' to infer a lack of education, sophistication, and/or tolerance. You attempt to smear people who appear one way with a brush you believe most would find unflattering. YOU appear to biased, not the other way around. Check your privilege.

[KMerendino]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

Ummm, if it's not a judgment or value statement, why the need to say "Regardless, the very majority of the folks are great...?" Congratulations, you've just made a judgment / value statement. At the very least you inferred one.

FWIW, I'm a 'Good ol boy' that flies Trump flags, AND I'm in a 23 year mixed marriage, where both have high level educations and employment. One might even be a university Registrar. Supporting Trump and his vision for the country is not a support vote for racism or intolerance. It is a support vote for common-sense values, right and wrong, and personal accountability for one's actions. It is a support vote for America over other countries. Since there are not enough resources in the world to support the entire globe at our standard of living, we should continue to enjoy what we have earned while helping others to earn it also - but not hand it away freely. That helps no one. That fosters entitlement and a lack of self-respect and personal dignity.

You say 'good ol boys' to infer a lack of education, sophistication, and/or tolerance. You attempt to smear people who appear one way with a brush you believe most would find unflattering. YOU appear to biased, not the other way around. Check your privilege.

PERFECT response...


some of us are pretty stupid

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

Ummm, if it's not a judgment or value statement, why the need to say "Regardless, the very majority of the folks are great...?" Congratulations, you've just made a judgment / value statement. At the very least you inferred one.

FWIW, I'm a 'Good ol boy' that flies Trump flags, AND I'm in a 23 year mixed marriage, where both have high level educations and employment. One might even be a university Registrar. Supporting Trump and his vision for the country is not a support vote for racism or intolerance. It is a support vote for common-sense values, right and wrong, and personal accountability for one's actions. It is a support vote for America over other countries. Since there are not enough resources in the world to support the entire globe at our standard of living, we should continue to enjoy what we have earned while helping others to earn it also - but not hand it away freely. That helps no one. That fosters entitlement and a lack of self-respect and personal dignity.

You say 'good ol boys' to infer a lack of education, sophistication, and/or tolerance. You attempt to smear people who appear one way with a brush you believe most would find unflattering. YOU appear to biased, not the other way around. Check your privilege.

Hello, CrosbyStills. I believe you inferred something into my post which was not intended (and I do apologize for, perhaps, a less than perfectly worded post). I grew up on a farm in very rural south Georgia, so know all about good 'ol boys. I do not consider that a derogatory term. As for your defense of Trump, I am not sure why you felt compelled to go into all of that. Over half of the US population sees Trump and his followers as racist, bigoted and un-American. I know that not all of you are. But, that is the stereotype - I was just trying to say that not all of you are racist, bigoted and un-American. I have plenty of Trump-supporting friends whom I cherish.

I believe we are arguing over nothing here.