Ann arbor to san antonio - black family with kids (Houston: fit in, crime)

[moverrrrrrrrrrrr]

My husband has an opportunity for a job as manager to move to san antonio. I am also a nurse and have three children 5, 7 an 12 - we are a black family, originally from North Africa (I will out the name) - but trained and lived here for a while.

My question is - how easy is it to blend with the community as a black person, also foreigner?

How easy will it be for the children to blend in school?

Ann arbor is a small but nice city with lots of diversity and a lot of professionals. But the winter is a little harsh. How humid does it get?

Are there things to do as a family outside of the riverfront area?

I have not even seen it yet - but am trying to get some ideas - from people that are aware of life as a black person and as a family people.

Also, as a nurse with no hispanic language skill and black, is it easy to blend? I think someone can help me find a job in SantaRosa - is that a hospital with diverse employees OR am I going to be so lonely? Are people welcoming of different background people? Is it a good hospital to work for? I know it is a community hospital, but how does it rate in the area? Do people like working there?

I really appreciate inputs - in any of my questions . We have not made a final decision yet.

[kevcrawford]

Y'all will do just fine here. Lots of diversity and you'll have no problem with schools, work, etc.

[pobre]

While the black population as a whole in San Antonio is not that large (I believe it's around 5-7%??), I truly think you will fit in just fine. We have many diverse (not just of Mexican origin) families here and more moving here all of the time.

I am an elementary teacher...kids truly do not care about differences, and are accepting. The kids who have a hard time are those who are rude, mean, or struggle with social cues. Even then, I have seen kids be so patient and kind.

Come in anticipating all will go well, and it will

[Pancho-Villa]

Don't let anyone tell you that there isn't any discrimination, because there is. There isn't a lot, but it'll always be there. Some people are just ugly like that. Chances are you'll be ok, but just keep your eyes open. Just being honest, with no sugar coating.
Yes the climate will be very different from Ann Arbor and we do have some humidity. Not as much as Houston, but more than the desert area like El Paso. It can be brutal here during the summer, but the winters will be much easier on you than in MI.

[Danbo1957]

San Antonio is a very inclusive city for different cultures and ethnicities.

[Chaka]

FWIW, and this may or may not be a positive thing for you, there is a sizable West African refugee population (other parts of Africa as well, but mostly refugee) in San Antonio.

yes, there's racial bias, there are issues like anywhere else in the US. But overall, I doubt it'd be a big problem. In general, the divisions are more based on social class than race, though it's not perfect.

TONS of things to do with families, SA is a very family oriented city. Too many things to list.

[thenewtexan]

The north and northeast sides of town are the most diverse.

[KM1174]

i dont see yall having any issues here.

[steve807]

http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime...nio-Texas.html

Shows crime to be lots higher than Ann Arbor these days...

Ann Arbor must have changed for the better in the 30 years since I was there.

[L210]

Originally Posted by Pancho-Villa

Don't let anyone tell you that there isn't any discrimination, because there is. There isn't a lot, but it'll always be there. Some people are just ugly like that. Chances are you'll be ok, but just keep your eyes open. Just being honest, with no sugar coating.
Yes the climate will be very different from Ann Arbor and we do have some humidity. Not as much as Houston, but more than the desert area like El Paso. It can be brutal here during the summer, but the winters will be much easier on you than in MI.

This is true. San Antonio, in general, will be fine; but, there will be areas that you will want to avoid. There are parts of town that are not diverse at all. I'm talking about being 90%+ of one ethnic group, mostly of the same social class, and all natives of San Antonio. I've brought this example up a lot, but I had a former coworker whose daughter was the only black (half black actually) girl in her school. She would come home crying all the time because her classmates would call her the n-word, and this was not 30 or 40 years ago. This was less than 10 years ago. I'm black and was called the n-word in a school with very little black people. I did not have these problems when I attended more ethnically diverse schools on the northeast side.