Grave Mistake! (Cincinnati, Washington, Blue Ash: lease, low crime, day care)

[The_Reeds]

I recently accepted a job that, required me to live in Ohio, they didn't care where as long as it was close to a major city. Being from Atlanta, I wanted to hold on to the south so I chose Cincinnati. I think I made a mistake, I am African American, middle class, doing pretty good financially. I chose to rent instead of buying as I wanted to learn the area first. So I looked around and tryed to find a safe neighborhood, and good schools for my kids. I chose Anderson Township, but what I didn't realize was we would be the only African American Family, where I live. Me and my wife are terrified, the white people around look at us and treat us like second class citizens. Even though I have the most expensive car, and probably make more money than any of them, I feel like the enemy. Cincinnati is a disappointing city, because of its deep racial divides. We take our daugther across town, to a more diverse day care even though its out of our way, thats a shame to have to do that. I regret signing my lease, and regret moving to a city that is touted as one of the best, but actually is one with the most problems. If your African American don't stop on the lower west side!

[paintballer1708]

Im sorry you have been treated the way you have. I can not speak in your case, but when i was in Atlanta last year in October of 2005 it was a very racist city. Not just to african americans, but to the many different races there. I work with many people here in downtown Cincinnati that are of african american and hispanic decent. We go out, and there are no problems with their race or background.

When i made the trip to Atlanta i remember how bad the whites treated people on MARTA (Atlanta's Transit System). I was blessed though, because if it werent for the african americans i wouldnt have been able to find my way around town. The whites were too busy getting from the airport to downtown to help me. It might be best if you try looking into other areas of the city or suburbs. Just give Cincinnati a chance. If it doesnt grow on you look to someplace else. I wish you the best of luck wherever life takes you. Your neighbors just sound plain rude to me. Sorry about that.

[Sonic]

Reed, keep your head high and remember it's "them" who have the problem not you. That being said, don't give up on Cinci yet.

Folks, it's sad that in 2006 we still have bigots who look at someone's color first. Sad. So sad.

[jsmill]

I too am sorry you're having a rotten/scary experience. Anderson Township is very homogenous and provincial. If you want to stay in the suburbs, you might want to look at Blue Ash, Montgomery, or Wyoming, all of which are known for their good school systems. I think you'll find those areas less homogenous and more progressive. Or you might actually try the east side of the city (Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, Pleasant Ridge or Amberley Village (which is a separate community but in the Cincinnati School System), or Kenwood/Madeira.

There are a lot of positives about living in Cincinnati and I hope you can find a place where you are happier.

[phoneman]

I grew up in Cincinnati, the east side, Mt Washington to be exact.

Your discription is not of the Anderson/Mt Washington area.

[jsmill]

Originally Posted by phoneman

I grew up in Cincinnati, the east side, Mt Washington to be exact.

Your discription is not of the Anderson/Mt Washington area.

Well, phoneman, I also grew up on Cincinnati's eastside as well (Walnut Hills HS) and I stand by what I wrote. We are both entitled to our opinions but I'm not the least surprised that an African-American family had the kind of experience the Reeds have had in Anderson.

Derrick will find that Atlanta is perhaps less provincial and certainly less conservative but once he gets out in the distant suburbs, like Forsythe Co., he will think Cincy is like heaven. LOL.

[Derrick_TheRiskTaker]

JSMILL:

I don't have any reason to be out in Forsyth Co., as Atlanta proper is good enough for me. If I do go out into the suburbs it will be in areas more like Gwinnett Co. Thanks thought.

[paintballer1708]

I dont think Derrick knows what he is getting himself into. He talks so bad about Cincinnati, but in reality, Atlanta's problems are some 25 times worse.

[Derrick_TheRiskTaker]

Paintballer:

In retrospect I know exactly what I am getting myself into. The area I have chosen to live is a very rich and diverse community with very low crime rates and the citizens are so friendly, kind, and respectful. Unlike Cincinnati, I know Atlanta is so much the better town for me and my future. I've actually made an awesome choice along with moving my very successful business to the heart of Atlanta's business district.

Do you desire to delete my entries only because they differ with yours, or just because I am encouraging other people to consider Atlanta? So much for being a "moderator." I guess if I were to agree with you across the board my posts would remain. Umm...Interesting.

[traysea]

I have my issues with Cincy for various reasons. However, I am shocked that you'd be treated poorly in Anderson. I don't live there but know many people that live there and I guess I just figured that most of those folks were open to new people - regardless of religion/color etc etc.

I live in No KY and even though I LOVE certain aspects to it -- it's not easy to make friends if you didn't grow up here. I have made friends but for many neighborhoods we didn't get the reciprical friendlyness that we showed to our neighbors when we moved in (i.e we had to intro ourselves -- we would intiate the hi's and byes and small talk).

Wasn't until we moved to a more expensive neighborhood people were more friendly -- however they aren't as awesome as our experiences in Florida were (live there for 2 years).

Also, while in College living in Hyde Park -- renting a house we knew our neighbors and I always thought east side (including anderson) were supposedly more welcoming to newcombers of all sizes shapes and colors.

Good luck on your move back.
If you need day care and work close to downtown.. may I suggest the daycare we use for our 3 year old -- Children Inc of Park Hills, KY. It's a best kept secret and I think diverse (they have several other locations) and accepting. It's associated with Gateway Community College.