African American in San Diego (Fairfax: hair salon, house, transferring to)

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

This is what I'm hoping for, especially seeing how many in SD I have talked to have only positive things to say about its race relations. The women in DC pretty much fit the stereotypical Northeastern Ice Queens, plus with a hint of rampant covert racism, unjustified self-righteousness, and liberal elitism that one would expect in SF. Seeing the comments over a lack of "black culture" doesn't bother me, and as cruel as it sounds, is sort of a plus considering the "black culture" of the 2000s-today seems to have written me off as "not black enough" anyway.

But from what I'm getting so far from some responses, it doesn't seem too optimistic. Could you give me your perspective on things.

Does a place with perfect race relations even exist? I recently returned from visiting Cleveland and Detroit and can assure you that the race relations here are much better than either of those places. I got to see segregation with my very own eyes, and it wasn't pretty.

It's true that SD's black population is small (Asian and Latino populations are much larger), but that shouldn't deter you from coming here (only if you already have a job lined up, of course). Like DC, there are plenty of interracial couples around and most everyone has friends and neighbors of all races.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by mrmanz

ok bro i need to figure out wtf u r doing.. cuz A LOT of the girls here dont want a black guy... unless maybe im talking to the wrong girls..

many girls here specifically do not even want to date/hookup with a black dude

I think it's worse and more in your face where they're from. Compared to that, SD probably is heaven. They'll learn when they get here.

[yodster]

Originally Posted by eastsandiegobornandraised

Imma drop my two cents...

So if your hanging out in La Jolla dont be shocked when you dont see many of us. I mean I know people who talk about never seeing black folks in LA which has about 5 times as many black folks as SD lol. Its all about where you go, but I definitely can understand where someone whose not from here with no guide could get frustrated.

I grew up in La Jolla, and live here now as an adult ( after having lived in FL and MI in between) There is a running joke amongst locals of a certain age...when talking about AA people, someone will name the 5 AA people who live here in LJ....as in, "Who was it? X,X,X,X or X?" After having lived where there were large AA populations, I can see how culturally SD must suck. No soul food, No hair places, No middle class AA neighborhood....though I see many AA families in Tierasanta and San Carlos....

[funproducer]

Any aa students attending california western? How do you like it?

[jghall00]

Originally Posted by funproducer

Any aa students attending california western? How do you like it?

I went to USD Law. Never had a problem. I'd imagine the experience at Cal Western would be the same, if not better.

[westcoastbabe]

I dont think none of the posters regarding this thread would trade places with me.....I live in NC...Yeah there may not be as many African-American people...but ya know what. I will take beautiful beaches/great weather/and 300+days/of sunshine/stuff to to/ over high humidity/mosquito infested/nothing to do NC anyday......anyone that has been to NC knows of what I speak of.

[LexSteel]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

I think it's worse and more in your face where they're from. Compared to that, SD probably is heaven. They'll learn when they get here.

i've been to san diego 5 times and the shortest time was 2 weeks, so trust me i have a feel of the female vibeout in SD plus a couple of my boys live there too, So i dont need to learn anything, its easier than the alphabet to hook up with girls out there....Mexican and white girls show a lot of love, I got no reason to lie or exaggerate, thats why i dont understand what mrmanz is talking about especially him being from nj which is very similar to ny

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by LexSteel

i've been to san diego 5 times and the shortest time was 2 weeks, so trust me i have a feel of the female vibeout in SD plus a couple of my boys live there too, So i dont need to learn anything, its easier than the alphabet to hook up with girls out there....Mexican and white girls show a lot of love, I got no reason to lie or exaggerate, thats why i dont understand what mrmanz is talking about especially him being from nj which is very similar to ny

ok

[CocoaGoddess]

Originally Posted by yodster

I grew up in La Jolla, and live here now as an adult ( after having lived in FL and MI in between) There is a running joke amongst locals of a certain age...when talking about AA people, someone will name the 5 AA people who live here in LJ....as in, "Who was it? X,X,X,X or X?" After having lived where there were large AA populations, I can see how culturally SD must suck. No soul food, No hair places, No middle class AA neighborhood....though I see many AA families in Tierasanta and San Carlos....

YES. Geez, it's not just about not wanting to be the only black person in a restaurant, or people assuming that since you're black, so you must be ghetto or whatever.
It's about lifestyle. I grew up in a predominantly middle/working class black suburb just outside of Los Angeles, and our neighborhood was made up of FAMILIES and MARRIED PARENTS who went to work every day. While I would never live there as an adult, it's not a crime to want to see upwardly mobile black families besides your own in your own community.

I also don't think it's out of line to want to have some establishments that will cater to blacks, such as restaurants, hair salons, barber shops, etc. I shouldn't have to drive to LA to get my daughter's hair done. I shouldn't have to wait for my bi-monthly trips to LA just to be able to find decent skincare products for my brown skin.

All of the "little things" when lumped together doesn't seem so insignificant, and you don't really realize what you're missing until you don't have it anymore.

The OP wanted honest opinions about what it's like living in San Diego. Of course there are worse places, but that doesn't mean that SD can't be better.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by CocoaGoddess

YES. Geez, it's not just about not wanting to be the only black person in a restaurant, or people assuming that since you're black, so you must be ghetto or whatever.
It's about lifestyle. I grew up in a predominantly middle/working class black suburb just outside of Los Angeles, and our neighborhood was made up of FAMILIES and MARRIED PARENTS who went to work every day. While I would never live there as an adult, it's not a crime to want to see upwardly mobile black families besides your own in your own community.

I also don't think it's out of line to want to have some establishments that will cater to blacks, such as restaurants, hair salons, barber shops, etc. I shouldn't have to drive to LA to get my daughter's hair done. I shouldn't have to wait for my bi-monthly trips to LA just to be able to find decent skincare products for my brown skin.

All of the "little things" when lumped together doesn't seem so insignificant, and you don't really realize what you're missing until you don't have it anymore.

The OP wanted honest opinions about what it's like living in San Diego. Of course there are worse places, but that doesn't mean that SD can't be better.

That's the key.