Is there a nice “Blue State” oasis in Atlanta? (Buford: transplants, sex offenders)

[KevK]

I don't blame you. I would not want to live around a bunch of Republicans myself. Cobb is generally a Republican county but south Cobb (Austell, Mabelton) is mostly blue and the rest of the county except for places like Kennesaw and Acworth are "moderate" red. Sam Olens, the county chairman is really quite moderate.

[dang133]

Originally Posted by Dd714

In reality, the original poster shouldn't even consider politics in his living decisions. In reality, choose a place that has the job you want, that has a reasonable cost of living, low crime, good schools, etc. I am saying the democrat enclaves in Atlanta are in areas he probably doesn't want to live in. It sounds like he wants a house in upper middle class Buckhead, maybe Dunwoody, maybe Alpharetta. Hardly democrat oasis. But who cares? I don't generally go to my neighbor and discuss politics and I couldn't care less which way he voted. You are right, ignorance and intolerance have no political affiliation.

I agree. If he wants culture and walking friendly areas, those exist. The politics of the area really shouldn't matter. I've lived all over and it really doesn't matter when your chilling at a BBQ with your neighbor.

[hello13685]

In response to the poster "BrainMD," I have similar cost of living and weather desires. When considering locales outside of your normal paradigm (i.e., the South), please don't make the mistake of assuming that a large population will aid in your finding a niche. It was that assumption that nudged me to move to San Antonio (1.5 million metro) from CA some years ago, only to find that a population does neither a city nor culture make. It's excessively backwards in San Antonio, and the locals defend their backwardness rigorously. I laughed reading here about the "What church do you go to," comment, because I was equally surprised by this occurring in San Antonio. I wonder if it's a "Southern thing," then? It's good to hear that there are some liberal areas inside the ATL loop, and another thing that ATL has going for it is a generally educated population. That's a huge consideration, and it's seriously lacking where I currently live. Thanks to everyone for the information

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by sweettea1

I saw it in the AJC, as posted.
I have no problem with church. I love my friends who are of different religions. I teach my children about different religions. But after living in the northeast, there's no comparison re tolerance and diversity. I do my best to be an ambassador, even in my own neighborhood...not only by attending Christmas parties but by hosting Hanukkah parties-- it's something I feel is important.

But, c'mon, it's one thing not to pay attention to people who don't know any better; it's another to see it in a major newspaper. That's just plain provincial and clearly not something the chamber of commerce is trying to promote.

Sorry, but I'm confused.
Are you saying the NE is more tolerant and diverse on religion?
If so, what part of the NE?
Lived in New Jersey for 10 years. If you were not Catholic or Jewish then fuurgetaboutit! Now when you cross the river into the boroughs, well there you have the black side, the irish side, the orthodox area, etc.

Actually, I found the "liberal" Northeast to be the least tolerant, most segregated area I have ever lived, and I have lived in many places.

[PeteyNice]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Sorry, but I'm confused.
Are you saying the NE is more tolerant and diverse on religion?
If so, what part of the NE?
Lived in New Jersey for 10 years. If you were not Catholic or Jewish then fuurgetaboutit! Now when you cross the river into the boroughs, well there you have the black side, the irish side, the orthodox area, etc.

Actually, I found the "liberal" Northeast to be the least tolerant, most segregated area I have ever lived, and I have lived in many places.

We must have different definitions of "tolerant". In the NE noone asks you what church you go to. People don't care. Here, it is a question that comes up. It is a huge part of people's lives and if you aren't the same way it is uncomfortable. The NE is segregated more by income than anything else. Here you have your rich black area, your rich white area, your middle class asian area, etc. The self segregation here is just amazing to me. I have never seen anything like it. A nice example. I went to see a movie at South Dekalb Mall because their movie theater is awesome. My friend tells me it is a "black mall". Not judging it just that is what it is. I had never heard of anything like that before.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by PeteyNice

We must have different definitions of "tolerant". In the NE noone asks you what church you go to. People don't care. Here, it is a question that comes up. It is a huge part of people's lives and if you aren't the same way it is uncomfortable.

I don't see what's so "uncomfortable" about it. We went around the neighborhood with our girls on Halloween, and there was a group of people at one of the houses a few blocks from our house. While the kids were running around, we all introduced ourselves, and one of the guys was the pastor of the baptist church around the corner. We were making small talk, and I mentioned that we had just moved down from NJ recently. The pastor asked us if we had found a church yet, to which I replied "we've been so busy that we really haven't had a chance yet". His response was "well, if you'd like to stop by, we have services at 10:30 on Sundays- we'd love to see you there". That was the extent of the "church" conversation, and we went on talking about schools, my job, etc.- no group rally to get us to join, no gospel songs being sung, no speaking in tongues.....lol. It wasn't "uncomfortable" in the least bit, and I've had the same type of conversation when I was at a party at a friend's house in NJ and met his pastor- no big deal.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

I don't see what's so "uncomfortable" about it. We went around the neighborhood with our girls on Halloween, and there was a group of people at one of the houses a few blocks from our house. While the kids were running around, we all introduced ourselves, and one of the guys was the pastor of the baptist church around the corner. We were making small talk, and I mentioned that we had just moved down from NJ recently. The pastor asked us if we had found a church yet, to which I replied "we've been so busy that we really haven't had a chance yet". His response was "well, if you'd like to stop by, we have services at 10:30 on Sundays- we'd love to see you there". That was the extent of the "church" conversation, and we went on talking about schools, my job, etc.- no group rally to get us to join, no gospel songs being sung, no speaking in tongues.....lol. It wasn't "uncomfortable" in the least bit, and I've had the same type of conversation when I was at a party at a friend's house in NJ and met his pastor- no big deal.

All in all I think it is just culture shock, some make it though some do not.
First it is Baptist tradition to recruit and "save" people, so you will have much of this. It runs along the same routes as most charismatic religions.

In regard to self segregation, heck go any place you will find that.

[Frankie117]

From experience, it seems to me that rural families are much more republican. In my honest opinions, Republicans seem to be a lot more willing to back their beliefs, and they know what they want. I think its disturbing that Liberals can be so diverse in beliefs, and that they don't really have as much in common as perceived. (2 party systems suck anyways) Democrats/Liberals are generally those living in urban and suburban environment as opposed to the rural Republican areas.

However, with so many people moving to the South from the North, California, and the Pacific Northwest, its no surprise that the values and beliefs of the classic South are being lost forever, washed away by newcomers who drown out their voices. This effectively kills the "red states" and their once strong beliefs.

And the only real thing that ever bothered me about Democrats is their Socialist tendencies. And I do not believe in judging people solely on their political views. Plus if Liberal areas are perfect in every way, why are so many people joining the mass exodus?

[sweettea1]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

The pastor asked us if we had found a church yet, to which I replied "we've been so busy that we really haven't had a chance yet". His response was "well, if you'd like to stop by, we have services at 10:30 on Sundays- we'd love to see you there". That was the extent of the "church" conversation, and we went on talking about schools, my job, etc.- no group rally to get us to join, no gospel songs being sung, no speaking in tongues.....lol.

What would he have said should you have responded that you haven't found a Synagogue...or a Mosque...or a temple? If 'Church' is the generic term for 'Place of Worship' then I guess the question makes sense. But something tells me it's not. And, because you didn't answer any of the alternate responses indicating that you were of another religious background, the conversation was easily ended and steered in another direction. The fact of the matter is, NOONE would ask you if you've found a church yet in many other places in the Northeast...or, I should clarify myself, any other big cities in the Northeast. So can we just call a spade a spade here and realize that this is the South and it just happens here?

[ready2move]

Originally Posted by sweettea1

. The fact of the matter is, NOONE would ask you if you've found a church yet in many other places in the Northeast...or, I should clarify myself, any other big cities in the Northeast. So can we just call a spade a spade here and realize that this is the South and it just happens here?

Amen Sister, couldn't have said it better.