Best Small Town for Minorities (outdoor activities, house, water, mountains)

[nj21]

I'm an African American young woman looking to move away from the NJ/NYC Tri State area. I lived in New Orleans for about six years while I attended undergrad and I loved it. If I wasn't in school I would have chosen to reside in Mandeville instead of Mid-City, Metairie, and the Warehouse district. I miss NOLA a lot but their job market is very dismal.

I'd like to move somewhere comparable to New Orleans. I have also lived in Atlanta (Sandy Springs) to be exact, and I didn't like it so I moved back home to New Jersey.

I sometimes yearn for the solitude of small town living and spend weekends going hiking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, and canoing.

I'm also looking to attend school in the next couple of years (when I will make my move) and so far have looked into Arizona and Missouri. I also like Biloxi very much, visited a beach there during my NOLA university days right by the Hard Rock hotel and Casino - post Katrina.

Please help me out.

What are some other small towns in which I could consider moving, that are also minority friendly?

Thanks!

[ragnarkar]

Try some of the college towns.. at least from my own experience they're some of the more tolerable small towns.

[nj21]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

Try some of the college towns.. at least from my own experience they're some of the more tolerable small towns.

Definitely what I was thinking, since the community will be somewhat more culturally diverse and open-minded.

[nj21]

Unlike some of the people who I guess reside in these small towns...?

[ohazco]

The towns you name really aren't small towns at all, smaller cities at best. If this is what you are looking for, many are good for minorities... Flagstaff, AZ has alot of diversity (though small AA%) and has tons of outdoor activities you mentioned.

As far as real small towns, many have diversity, many don't. Its my experience that in small towns, your reputation will be based on the kind of person you are, your attitude, etc. If you move there and are friendly, helpful, and fit right it, you will be accepted no matter your race. Even so, if you are the only black family in town you will stick out, be prepared for people to refer to you as "the black family" and your kids to be "the black kid" at school or on the football field, it doesn't mean they don't like you, in fact it probably means more people will know of you, a good thing if you have a good reputation. If this bothers you though, or you inherently find it insulting, then small towns may not be a good idea.

[ckhthankgod]

What do you consider to be small? In Upstate NY, you may like places like Corning, Morrisville/Peterboro, New Paltz, Carthage/West Carthage, Lyons, Clyde, Newark, Sodus, maybe Geneva, Caledonia/Mumford, LeRoy, Albion, Medina, Trumansburg, Newfield, Ithaca(small city), Alfred(has two colleges), Peru, Gloversville(has a community college and an AME Zion church) and maybe a few more. Many are close to Rochester, some are close to small cities with at least a community college, Morrisville has a SUNY campus with a high Black student enrollment with Peterboro being an Underground Railroad community(Black folks still live on Elizabeth Street) and Geneva has a 4 year school(Hobart College). Corning has a community college. All have noticeable Black populations, with Peru once being the school district for a diverse group of Air Base kids until the mid 90's. It is close to Plattsburgh, which has a notable Black population. If you have more questions, just ask/DM me.

[duster1979]

Mount Sterling is the best small town for minorities. Ironically, it's also the best small town for majorities.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

What do you consider to be small? In Upstate NY, you may like places like Corning, Morrisville/Peterboro, New Paltz, Carthage/West Carthage, Lyons, Clyde, Newark, Sodus, maybe Geneva(small city), Caledonia/Mumford, LeRoy, Albion, Medina, Trumansburg, Newfield, Ithaca(small city), Alfred(has two colleges), Peru, Gloversville(has a community college and an AME Zion church) and maybe a few more. Many are close to Rochester, some are close to small cities with at least a community college, Morrisville has a SUNY campus with a high Black student enrollment with Peterboro being an Underground Railroad community(Black folks still live on Elizabeth Street) and Geneva has a 4 year school(Hobart College) and some diversity(about 12-13% for both Blacks and Hispanics). Corning has a community college. All have noticeable Black populations, with Peru once being the school district for a diverse group of Air Base kids until the mid 90's. It is close to Plattsburgh, which has a notable Black population. If you have more questions, just ask/DM me.

I forgot to mention, but the Carthage/West Carthage area is near Fort Drum Army Base. So, plenty of single guys are probably around, if you are looking. Watertown, a small city of about 28,000 is the closest city of any decent size. Syracuse ia about an hour or so away. Ottawa is about an hour and a half to two hours away. You would be close to the Adirondack Mountains and there is some diversity due to the military presence. Peru is close to those mountains, as is Gloversville somewhat. upstate Ny is pretty affordable and is on par with many Southern states in that regard.

[rhawkins74]

I would have one to suggest that is in Illinois. It is Clinton, Illinois, it is a small town, low crime rates, low cost of living and accepting of people of all ethnic backgrounds.

[ckhthankgod]

Oneonta NY is another small town/small city in that could work. It has some diversity due to having 2 four years colleges. It is near the Catskill Mountains.

Ithaca would also fit, but is more of a small city. Its mayor and superintendent of schools are both Black males. Its common council has or has had representatives that are Black. They have had an Asian police chief before too. It is a diverse community with Cornell University and Ithaca College right there. There is a community college in nearby Dryden too.