Diversity in AZ, (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: hair salon, homes, neighborhoods)

[amoroustee]

We're getting ready to relocate to Phoenix. I read a thread where someone said that it wasn't very integrated? Can someone explain that? I'm Black and currently live in a very large diverse city, neighborhood. I fear that I'm moving to a place where I may not feel comfortable.
1. To put is bluntly, are there many black people in Phoenix or surrounding surburbs? Is it a friendly place, regardless of race?
2. Also, what is there to do in the deseart? What does Phoenix have to offer in regards to entertainment (i.e. shows, plays, concerts).
3. Are there good neighborhoods that are culturely diverse for both adults and children?

[sablebaby]

I think we are fairly integrated, but more by income and not race. We don't have as many blacks as some other cities but we do have a bunch. You should be just fine really.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by amoroustee

We're getting ready to relocate to Phoenix. I read a thread where someone said that it wasn't very integrated? Can someone explain that? I'm Black and currently live in a very large diverse city, neighborhood. I fear that I'm moving to a place where I may not feel comfortable.
1. To put is bluntly, are there many black people in Phoenix or surrounding surburbs? Is it a friendly place, regardless of race?
2. Also, what is there to do in the deseart? What does Phoenix have to offer in regards to entertainment (i.e. shows, plays, concerts).
3. Are there good neighborhoods that are culturely diverse for both adults and children?

Maricopa County makes up the city of Phoenix and most of the surrounding suburbs. African-Americans only make up 3.7 percent of the population. As far as being friendly regardless of race, another African-American on the board who lives in Phoenix state that the only problems he has had is with hispanics not being friendly and being somewhat rude. Other than that, I dont think you will have any problems. Neighborhoods that are culturally diverse is something that Phoenix is still working on. For being such a large city, the diversity lacks. Just my opinion...

[azriverfan]

1. Relative to other cities this size, there are hardly any black people in Phoenix. I have friends that are black and they joke about how few black people there are here. They are pretty happy here from what I can tell. There are a lot of Hispanics and Asians. That being said, I do see a lot of mixed Black and White couples in Phoenix whereas I don't see that in other cities with large Black populations. I know in Texas and other areas, mixed race couples are seen as being taboo but it's not even an issue in Phoenix.

2. Great dining, nightlife, golf, rock climbing, hiking, shopping, snowskiing, great vacation spots that are within driving distance all around us (LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Sedona, Rocky Point). The quality of all of these aspects are high in Phoenix. For example, Oklahoma City and Kansas City have restaurants and shopping as well but you are not going to find as many high end restaurants and stores in those areas when compared to Phoenix.

3. I would say the entire valley is pretty racially tolerant and diverse with the exception of east Mesa which can be a little redneck.

[sassieb75]

I see more and more black folks moving to my side of town(N. Phoenix), which to me is very pleasing. My kids are always in the minority at school, with only a handful of black or interracial kids in the school. That is fine with me but I think for their sake it's nice to see a few more every year.

[amoroustee]

Originally Posted by scottie

Maricopa County makes up the city of Phoenix and most of the surrounding suburbs. African-Americans only make up 3.7 percent of the population. As far as being friendly regardless of race, another African-American on the board who lives in Phoenix state that the only problems he has had is with hispanics not being friendly and being somewhat rude. Other than that, I dont think you will have any problems. Neighborhoods that are culturally diverse is something that Phoenix is still working on. For being such a large city, the diversity lacks. Just my opinion...

Thanks scottie - i appreciate the feedback and honesty.

[amoroustee]

Originally Posted by azriverfan

1. Relative to other cities this size, there are hardly any black people in Phoenix. I have friends that are black and they joke about how few black people there are here. They are pretty happy here from what I can tell. There are a lot of Hispanics and Asians. That being said, I do see a lot of mixed Black and White couples in Phoenix whereas I don't see that in other cities with large Black populations. I know in Texas and other areas, mixed race couples are seen as being taboo but it's not even an issue in Phoenix.

2. Great dining, nightlife, golf, rock climbing, hiking, shopping, snowskiing, great vacation spots that are within driving distance all around us (LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Sedona, Rocky Point). The quality of all of these aspects are high in Phoenix. For example, Oklahoma City and Kansas City have restaurants and shopping as well but you are not going to find as many high end restaurants and stores in those areas when compared to Phoenix.

3. I would say the entire valley is pretty racially tolerant and diverse with the exception of east Mesa which can be a little redneck.

Appreciate the feedback. When we went out to visit I did like the amount of dining options available. It will be a big adjustment coming from the eastcoast. I'm hoping we can find a place to be comfortable in.

[amoroustee]

Originally Posted by sassieb75

I see more and more black folks moving to my side of town(N. Phoenix), which to me is very pleasing. My kids are always in the minority at school, with only a handful of black or interracial kids in the school. That is fine with me but I think for their sake it's nice to see a few more every year.

Are their nice homes/neighborhoods in N Phoenix that's family oriented? I worry about the school thing as well but I'm more concerned with them getting a good education.

What about hair salon's?

[fcorrales80]

I have to agree with the inter-racial couples thing about Phoenix. Not only white and black, but white/hispanic, black/hispanic are very common in this city. In my family alone there are...14 I believe. Mostly cousins but my brother is engaged to someone white (she is of Irish background) and they have a son. I didn't think anything of it until a friend from NY (of ALL places) pointed out the inter-racial couples in the Phoenix area. I have 6 close friends that are in a white/black relationship and so many more that are hispanic/white and I didn't give it any thought until it was pointed out and as soon as it was pointed out again in this thread. They all have told me they NEVER have encountered any problems and even the older Arizona natives pay little mind (as they tend to be Goldwater Republicans anyhow).

[azriverfan]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

I have to agree with the inter-racial couples thing about Phoenix. Not only white and black, but white/hispanic, black/hispanic are very common in this city. In my family alone there are...14 I believe. Mostly cousins but my brother is engaged to someone white (she is of Irish background) and they have a son. I didn't think anything of it until a friend from NY (of ALL places) pointed out the inter-racial couples in the Phoenix area. I have 6 close friends that are in a white/black relationship and so many more that are hispanic/white and I didn't give it any thought until it was pointed out and as soon as it was pointed out again in this thread. They all have told me they NEVER have encountered any problems and even the older Arizona natives pay little mind (as they tend to be Goldwater Republicans anyhow).

I remember I was in a club in Atlanta and there were some black guys with some attractive white girls and the guys I were with pointed out to them and said "Oh, that's so wrong. I'm not a racist, but that's just not right." These were "educated" people as well and I was with a large group of people that I loosely knew and no one aside from myself was shocked by that comment. It was as if that attitude was normal there. They didn't even consider that comment to be racist. I I was disgusted. I see mixed couples in clubs in Scottsdale etc and it's never even an issue or something I even actively think about. Everyone talks about Atlanta having a lot of blacks and that it's racially friendly or whatever but I realized that while they might have a large black population, they are really segregated whereas as Phoenix as a smaller black population but they are socially integrated.