Diversity and Harrisonburg? Considering move...need input. (Charlottesville, Staunton: new home, living in)

[Ciaron1985]

We're empty-nest baby-boomers and med professionals. Have been offered position in Harrisonburg, and am very interested in the demographics. We are an ethnically diverse couple, with my spouse from India, and I, from upper-state NY. We love living in the country, and have lived in the Pittsburgh area where there was a good deal of diversity. However, where we are now, the "discrimination" has been quite covert, and spurious claims made by the "old boys/old gals" people. We do not wish to experience this again. We are liberal-minded, well-traveled, but also enjoy the outdoors, watersports, dog search and rescue, biking, and engaging with like minds without the "sideways glances" and in my husband's case, even worse (where we now are). So my question is, how are minority doctors perceived, and do people specifically try and avoid seeing such as patients?

[Dr.Jim]

Hburg is diverse enough by VA standards...And GP's are in VERY short supply and high demand.
Personally IN Hburg there isnt much discrimination.......however, keep in mind Hburg is in the middle of the country, and oasis in a way. 5 miles outside of town and you are in small town farm VA, complete with the occasional rebel flag. Good people for sure,.....but being caucasion/american I am not sure how minorities are treated in these areas.........

Staunton is very open minded and more cultural than Hburg....short drive as well.
Charlottesville is about an hour+15 away,...but it extremely diverse and cool/fun/eclectic....

Hope this helps a bit,........feel free to ask more specific questions, or pm or whatever.
Hopefully, you can come down and take a look!

[Aspe4]

The problem with commenting on discrimination is that you have to be a member of a minority race to really be able to say if it exists in the area. I haven't lived in Harrisonburg so I can't say. But I am member of a racial minority and I think you will be fine in a Virginia town the size of Harrisonburg and perhaps even smaller. James Madison Univ. is also there to that will add to the diversity. I live in a small town in Southern Va and I haven't experienced any overt racism. Every once in a while I can detect a tension here about latino immigrants, however. Have fun in your new home.

[Ciaron1985]

Thank you, all! :

[tmktsa]

Was discriminated here by more than one person because of my accent. Apparently, I look German and I have other european country accent. Of course these good people were not able to recognize my accent. Verbally attack - that is how I would define the discrimination.

[clintsullivan]

That's an interesting issue. Here in the Eastern Panhandle of WV some of the most respected doctors are from India and Asia. I just noticed that a doctor in Romney WV who has been there for more than 16 years was nominated for "Knight of Hampshire County" by the rotary club. I wonder if they ever feel discriminated against by the community they serve?