Racism in the 'burbs? reality or myth (Houston, Dallas: transplants, renters)

[nurse_101]

I really need honest opinions about the suburbs north of Dallas prior to relocating...My husband & I are both African American, Registered Nurses, and we have 3 small children (6, 4, 2).We currently live in southern Louisiana, we're homeowners, children attend private Christian schools/day care and we actually have a pretty good life. We decided to relocate to the Dallas area b/c we've pretty much reached our max potential in this area dut to limited # of hospitals, nursing schools (hubby's going back for CRNA, i'm in nurse mgmt), etc... We quickly realized that our combined salaries (~160K/yr) won't be enough for a comparable lifestyle in Dallas proper (including private school & Dallas public schools don't seem to be the best)...hence the burbs! However, after talking to friends, reading blogs/forums, researching stats, etc...it seems like we may be stereotyped in the burbs b/c we are African American, fairly young w/ "lots" of little kids, we'll be renters initially (b/c we aren't selling our home & we want to "feel" the area out before buying), and i will work outside of the home. My children are currently in school w/ all races and have friends of varying ethnicities, that seems to be very different, statistically at least in Frisco, Plano, Allen, etc.... And of course, LA has it's fair share of racism, but it is covert and mostly from old "hicks" not the more modern and educated population. Please enlighten me. Sorry so long!!!

[Big G]

I wouldn't worry about racism, but I'd recommend renting a high-end car - BMW, Lexus, etc. - to drive in the carpool line.

Seriously, though, Bubba has left the building in the northern suburbs. Heck, half the current residents aren't even FROM Texas. I bet in Plano, you could find more descendents of Union soldiers than Confederates.

You are correct that there aren't a huge number of blacks in Plano, Frisco, and Allen, but it's not as if there aren't any.

Beyond that, you will find Hispanics in pretty large numbers across Texas - with a variety of degrees of having "gone native".

Finally, the northern suburbs have a HUGE Asian and Indian population.

In short, there's a lot of ethnic diversity in the northern area, so you will hardly be frozen out or looked down upon.

[nurse_101]

Thanks for your insight, I really appreciate it! I was starting to get a little worried...I figured as much abou the Benz for the carpool line ! Thanks again.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Hello Nurse.

I wouldnt worry about it at all. Over 50% of the people in DFW arent even from Texas and about 19% arent from the US. The Northern Suburbs reflect that. Plano has the second largest Asain community in the Southern States after Houston. Around 40,000 residents of Plano were born in Asia (not just Asian, but born in Asia). Cities like Plano and Carrollton are pretty diverse places even if they werent 15 years ago.

I have a good friend who moved from LA about a year before I did and settled in Allen. He took a job as a vice-principal at one of the High Schools up there. He is African-American and has 3 kids. He is a single father since his wife died of cancer. He raves about it up there. Like you he was very worried, but has experianced no racism whatsoever. He says it feels like home and that hes there for good.

Dallas isnt a perfect place. Its pretentious and plastic, but two sterotypes that I have found to be untrue here are racist and homophobic. I havent seen or heard of any of that.

[Acntx]

This is a thread I created last month that contains information about out-of-state transplants residents in DFW as compared to native Texans. I thought it might be helpful in this discussion.

Where are your neighbors from?

[Lakewooder]

It's not Dallas that is pretentious and plastic (with the possible exceptions of Preston Hollow and Uptown) but THE SUBURBS. Mostly, the northern ones...

[MurphyPl1]

Except Murphy! We're welcoming and diverse and don't care what you look like as long as your sporting a smile. :-)

[Big G]

OK, who had "6" in the "number of posts before Lakewooder chimes in to denigrate the suburbs" pool?

[Rakin]

You should not have a problem, overall TX is a very diverse and accepting community.

You will find a few stupid people everywhere but as long as you guys are friendly and accepting of others you'll usually get that back in return.

Just don't start bad mouthing our great state, many of us locals get a little upset over that.

[TurtleCreek80]

I also would not write off looking in Dallas so quickly. With $160k in income, you'd net approx $10k per month. You could live in an area like Lakewood/ Hollywood Heights/ M Streets where Lakewood and Stonewall Jackson elementary schools are exemplary. People choose private or public for middle and high school there. Search zip 75214. With the market being a little soft now, you can probably pick up a 2500sf 3-4br home built between 1920-1950 for around $300-350k. This area is very close to Baylor and Presbyterian hospitals.

Also check Lake Highlands which is in northeast Dallas. City of Dallas but Richardson public schools, which again are good. Zip 75238. Several good private Christian schools in the neighborhood, including Schofield and Highlander. Homes were built in the 1960-1970s and run about $100k less than Lakewood. Very close to Presbyterian.

Take another look at Dallas before running to the suburbs!!