African Americans, San Diego (Chula Vista, Corona: to rent, high school, living)

[eastsandiegobornandraised]

Originally Posted by blakazdog

Hello all on City-Data Forum.

So I'm lookin to find an African-American neighborhood to settle into.

Right now I'm renting in La Jolla. But I want to buy a home in a mainly AA neighborhood.

I'm just in from NY. Maybe I'll buy here or maybe in LA.

man imma tell you right now, if you can afford la jolla and you want a predominitaly black community...go to LA...hit up Ladera Heights, Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park...you'll find what your looking for up there. Not saying you can't get that here, but your gonna get frustrated because the community that we do have(at least whats left of it) doesn't have it together nearly as much as up in LA...trust me, if LA is an option for you go there instead...

[RD5050]

Since you are already living in San Diego, I would recommend driving through lots of areas to see what feels right to you in terms of the African American population.

Stop inside area supermarkets, because they will have mostly locals shopping there. Then you can ask residents in person what they think of the area.

This will also give you a chance to explore more of San Diego (and So. Cal), to get a feel for what's available.

San Diego has lots of different types of neighborhoods (coastal, inner-city, desert, etc.), so by exploring them in person, you can find the type of area that best suites your lifestyle.

[MissNM]

Originally Posted by kdogg817

Maybe the south would better fit your needs. Dallas, Houston, or Atlanta all three of the cities have a large black population and substantial black middle class. I cant believe California black population now almost none existent.

I lived in the south for awhile. I'm white and couldn't tolerate the racism. The concept that diversity is a "good thing" is not embraced.

At least in San Diego, I feel like people accept you for who you are. They may have some preconcieved notions about race, gender-preference, religion, etc. - but still seem to judge one person at a time.

[jghall00]

Regarding the South, there is a substantially larger black middle class there. One of the legacies of slavery is that the black population in the south has always been larger than that of the North or West. I'm from NY and lived in Houston for 11 years. I've been in CA since 2005. First in Fresno, now here in SD. So, I think I have a good perspective on the differences between the Northeast, South, and West Coast. The West Coast definitely has fewer African-Americans than the other two.

NY is the most diverse, and people come into contact more. Not necessarily interact, but they do run into each other. I attribute this to the widespread use of mass transit.

Houston was very diverse, but also very segregated. The clubs, many neighborhoods, etc. But, it did have a large black middle class.

The West Coast has a smaller black population overall, and the smallest black middle class of the three. Not entirely unexpected.

For me, San Diego has been an adjustment. I'm relatively young, and have a family. In San Diego, most of the black people my age with children have low education levels. I don't miss the South at all, aside from the cheap housing in Houston. CA is a beautiful state, and has so much to see and do. The relatively low numbers of African-Americans is just the price I pay for living someplace so nice.

[skeke]

Originally Posted by sdlife619

I second that Downtown SD has become pretty soft in recent years, and only getting softer like it's starting to suburbanize. Once the Albertson's opened up off Market st., that was a direct sign for families to move on in. I mean what downtown city has an Albertson's? Come on! We need more independent markets not big chain garbage. This goes for all the big chainers, like Starbucks.

I always felt the building of Albertson's in downtown SD was in direct response to the huge condo wave that hit downtown San Diego about the same town. All those people who wanted to live in the midst of the city still wanted to have a full service grocery store.

[sdurbanite]

^^ Don't forget that Albertson's also serves residents of neighboring Barrio Logan and Golden Hill. Ever been to the Ralph's next to Horton? It's always a madhouse.

30,000 people live downtown these days and it can certainly support 2 grocery stores. My friends who live down there are craving a Trader Joe's, though.

[Outlaw619]

Im sry to say but all the mainly black areas in are going to be dangerous. The best answer is probably North Park. It has good racial diversity, its cheap, and its a nice area. Ive spent my life everywhere in san diego and i can asure you i have all the answers to your questions.

[graciously]

Originally Posted by eastsandiegobornandraised

man imma tell you right now, if you can afford la jolla and you want a predominitaly black community...go to LA...hit up Ladera Heights, Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park...you'll find what your looking for up there. Not saying you can't get that here, but your gonna get frustrated because the community that we do have(at least whats left of it) doesn't have it together nearly as much as up in LA...trust me, if LA is an option for you go there instead...

right on pretty much.

[Oerdin]

Originally Posted by skeke

I always felt the building of Albertson's in downtown SD was in direct response to the huge condo wave that hit downtown San Diego about the same town. All those people who wanted to live in the midst of the city still wanted to have a full service grocery store.

Of course. I can't think of anyone else ever claiming otherwise. I'd say the same about the Ralph's supermarket in the Gas Lamp.

[usc619]

Originally Posted by blakazdog

Hello all on City-Data Forum.

So I'm lookin to find an African-American neighborhood to settle into.

Right now I'm renting in La Jolla. But I want to buy a home in a mainly AA neighborhood.

I'm just in from NY. Maybe I'll buy here or maybe in LA.

You can still find pockets of nice older areas around Skyline and Encanto.