Stafford vs. Warrenton (Catlett) (Fredericksburg, Vienna: gated, living in, moving)

[rwheat05]

Hello all:
Here's a SPECIFIC question for those of you who are tired of the vague questions:

Here are the conditions:
Black/white couple, with mixed children, could afford a 600k house, want at least 3 acres, would you choose Stafford or Warrenton?
Being raised in So. MD, we know a "little" about the discrimination, baggage thing and have been relatively free of bigotry living in CA for the last 10 years. We love the country but moving back to east coast worries us b/c of the racial baggage.
One more thing, husband will be commuting to Vienna area.

Thanks for your help!

[Tish Thompson]

I have lived in the area for many years. I haven't experienced blatant bigotry, but I have had moments where I wondered about it. Those moments are few and far between. I think you'd have more problems with traffic than bigotry...Northern VA and surrounding areas are very diverse.

Because your husband will be working in Vienna, I'd have to say Warrenton would be the better choice.

[43north87west]

Stafford.

I saw many mixed race couples in Stafford & Spotsylvania counties. They've still got their "Redneck" populations, but very cosmopolitan in different ways.

You will find black and white families living in suburban Washington DC, not uncommon at all. Mixed race couples are less common but not UNcommon. Honestly I wouldn't expect too much trouble in Stafford County, and for $600k you've got great options.

VA is integrated much more than midwestern areas are (typical in more northern states to be more segregated).

Just moved from Fredericksburg, right across the river from Stafford Co. In some ways it was very country-ish for lack of a better term. But I lived in a fairly affluent area and in terms of race, it was mixed and friendly.