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Very interesting discussion. The reality is that any desirable place to live is going to cost you. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, brown, pink, or green. It’s probably always been like this, but we sort of have a have and have nots situation developing in most US metros. Even here in Central Florida it has gotten expensive to where the locals are being priced out.
As a single, unmarried black man without children of the Gen Y (millennial) group, a lot of what OP touched on are nice to have, but as someone who has never made big money, those other things are secondary to #2. Can I find a good paying job that will allow me to build a life in said place? That’s why I’m willing to consider places that blacks don’t really go to whether it is weather, lack of diversity, or cost. One man’s opinion.
Very interesting discussion. The reality is that any desirable place to live is going to cost you. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, brown, pink, or green. It’s probably always been like this, but we sort of have a have and have nots situation developing in most US metros. Even here in Central Florida it has gotten expensive to where the locals are being priced out.
As a single, unmarried black man without children of the Gen Y (millennial) group, a lot of what OP touched on are nice to have, but as someone who has never made big money, those other things are secondary to #2. Can I find a good paying job that will allow me to build a life in said place? That’s why I’m willing to consider places that blacks don’t really go to whether it is weather, lack of diversity, or cost. One man’s opinion.
I'd say your best bet is smaller cities with metropolitan areas under or a little over 1M.
Memphis, NOLA, and Jackson all have really strong Black middle classes. In Memphis especially, there is a strong professional class. These cities are not on the same level as Atlanta, but still offer decent amenities (especially NOLA and Memphis).
Jackson, MS has a case to make in that it is the highest percentage black medium to large metro (50%) and notably the suburbs on average are about 25% black. About half of blacks live outside the city of Jackson in the suburbs, (not counting the rural counties that got included into the metro area).
The census tracts with incomes over $100k (including the highest tract at $170k) are consistently around 12% black which I'm assuming are the highest average percentages in the country among higher income census tracts. This suggests that in neighborhoods with $500k-plus homes, about one in eight homes are black families.
I wonder if that makes a difference for people compared to other parts of the country. Of course in big metros like in DC, Atlanta, and Houston, there are plenty of areas like that. What makes metro Jackson unique is just the overall averages, in not just the metro but also the suburbs.
Memphis is comparable. DeSoto County, Mississippi across the state line from Memphis is 29% black and in the cities in that county by and large the black and white households' incomes are virtually identical. This makes DeSoto County a highly livable area, with everything being well-run and safe, without too many problems in terms of crime or traffic.
You need to watch this; the title is quoting hearsay. Most overrated city in the country, and I have relatives there. If you don't have a good-paying job set up, is it worth it?
The term Metro Atlanta should refer to the entire area, meaning the city of Atlanta plus all of its suburbs. If you cross from the city into one of the suburbs, you're not crossing from Atlanta into Metro Atlanta. You're in Metro Atlanta the entire time because the city of Atlanta is a part of the metro area too.
Your video was interesting in that I didn't realize how much nicer and better managed Charlotte is compared to Atlanta. I've never been to Charlotte other than through it along the interstate. It sounds like they've got their act together. I didn't realize how bad Atlanta is either. It sounds like everyone is either very rich or very poor; otherwise they live in the suburbs. Chicago is probably like that too and probably D.C.
The term Metro Atlanta should refer to the entire area, meaning the city of Atlanta plus all of its suburbs. If you cross from the city into one of the suburbs, you're not crossing from Atlanta into Metro Atlanta. You're in Metro Atlanta the entire time because the city of Atlanta is a part of the metro area too.
Your video was interesting in that I didn't realize how much nicer and better managed Charlotte is compared to Atlanta. I've never been to Charlotte other than through it along the interstate. It sounds like they've got their act together. I didn't realize how bad Atlanta is either. It sounds like everyone is either very rich or very poor; otherwise they live in the suburbs. Chicago is probably like that too and probably D.C.
Best of luck to you.
Shhhhhh!! I just moved to Charlotte last week, and enjoying it so far. The city is very clean, lower crime (especially compared to Baltimore) everything is brand new.
The term Metro Atlanta should refer to the entire area, meaning the city of Atlanta plus all of its suburbs. If you cross from the city into one of the suburbs, you're not crossing from Atlanta into Metro Atlanta. You're in Metro Atlanta the entire time because the city of Atlanta is a part of the metro area too.
Your video was interesting in that I didn't realize how much nicer and better managed Charlotte is compared to Atlanta. I've never been to Charlotte other than through it along the interstate. It sounds like they've got their act together. I didn't realize how bad Atlanta is either. It sounds like everyone is either very rich or very poor; otherwise they live in the suburbs. Chicago is probably like that too and probably D.C.
Best of luck to you.
I didn't make the video, but yeah you're on point, except for Chicago. For all of its problems at least Chicago has a working-middle class. You can find studios or 1BRs near the lake for under $1000. Jobs, especially blue collar jobs, pay more It's probably a better city for Blacks than Atlanta because of this.
Charlotte is too spread out, overpriced and lacks(decent paying) jobs in my blue/pink collar field. And don't get me started on their transit.
Shhhhhh!! I just moved to Charlotte last week, and enjoying it so far. The city is very clean, lower crime (especially compared to Baltimore) everything is brand new.
So you're done with Baltimore? This is a permanent move?
So you're done with Baltimore? This is a permanent move?
Charlotte might not be permanent, but I won't be living in Baltimore again unless life goes completely sideways. I plan on being here for a few years before moving further west.
I'm still C-D's Baltimore spokesman though. Lol
I'll be there this weekend.
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