Moving from Southern California to Georgia with Transracial Adoptive Family (Atlanta: fit in, condo)

[relocatingfamilyof5]

My husband and I are considering relocating from Southern California (just north of San Diego County) to Georgia this summer with our (young) family. He is a red-headed Italian (yes, they exist :P) and I am Hispanic. Our three children (ages 1, 1, and 2) are all black.

I was excited the see such a great mix of ethnicity (I want to be sure that wherever we go, our children do not feel like outsiders) when I found this:

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13000.html

And then when we started looking at home prices we were sold (I can't buy a 1 bedroom condo in our city for less than $175k)! So I began looking into reviews/personal experiences people have had in different cities (so we could narrow down our home search) and found these:

//www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...rgia-cali.html

(^^ I know this is a bit old but see specifically her review on segregation - I didn't realize it still existed either and this came as a huge disappointment)

and

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.1148770


Being in an interracial marriage (before we adopted), even in a liberal and progressive state like California, opened up a world of stares, comments, and judgment - we are more than used to it now. But I would be lying if I said that I'm not a little nervous about how far it could escalate (especially, for instance, if my husband were to take our kids out grocery shopping or to the mall alone) should we move into the wrong neighborhood or city.

Am I just being paranoid? There is a reason the incident with the young couple made the news, right? Because it isn't a common occurrence?

What specific towns/cities do you think we should be looking into? We are trying to keep our budget at or under 100K for a home and will be homeschooling (most likely) so school ratings are something to consider but not necessarily prioritize at this point.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by relocatingfamilyof5

My husband and I are considering relocating from Southern California (just north of San Diego County) to Georgia this summer with our (young) family. He is a red-headed Italian (yes, they exist :P) and I am Hispanic. Our three children (ages 1, 1, and 2) are all black.

I was excited the see such a great mix of ethnicity (I want to be sure that wherever we go, our children do not feel like outsiders) when I found this:

Georgia QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

And then when we started looking at home prices we were sold (I can't buy a 1 bedroom condo in our city for less than $175k)! So I began looking into reviews/personal experiences people have had in different cities (so we could narrow down our home search) and found these:

//www.city-data.com/forum/atlan...rgia-cali.html

(^^ I know this is a bit old but see specifically her review on segregation - I didn't realize it still existed either and this came as a huge disappointment)

and

Interracial Georgia couple says they were targeted by thugs in Savannah hate-crime attack* - NY Daily News


Being in an interracial marriage (before we adopted), even in a liberal and progressive state like California, opened up a world of stares, comments, and judgment - we are more than used to it now. But I would be lying if I said that I'm not a little nervous about how far it could escalate (especially, for instance, if my husband were to take our kids out grocery shopping or to the mall alone) should we move into the wrong neighborhood or city.

Am I just being paranoid? There is a reason the incident with the young couple made the news, right? Because it isn't a common occurrence?

What specific towns/cities do you think we should be looking into? We are trying to keep our budget at or under 100K for a home and will be homeschooling (most likely) so school ratings are something to consider but not necessarily prioritize at this point.

Where will you be working?

[relocatingfamilyof5]

We were looking into the Atlanta suburbs. We have steady income that will follow us wherever we go (not much but we get by) so for now we are just looking for the most affordable places to live (without venturing into an area with very high crime rates).

[klmquiroz]

I can say from experience Savannah is a whole new world, the shameful part of Ga. It has a lot of beautiful historical buildings and great sea side location, but that is were it ends. They fight worse then cats and dogs in savannah. Until they get it under control ( fingers crossed they do once again- its a beautiful town), Atlanta suburbs on there worse days is a lot safer.

Suburbs of Atlanta you would like far better. depending on what you want like, there plenty of smaller cute mid szied cities you can find some middle ground. Augusta CSRA, Atlanta, and Columbus, GA would be the 3 area of considerations I'd suggest. 2 are military base supported so you will find many 'interracial married couples" near both. I am sure you will also near Atlanta.


Disclaimer: Opinions may very. These are my own, you don' t need to make them your's.

[Newsboy]

You'll have no issues whatsoever in most of the upper-middle class suburbs of Metro Atlanta -- particularly East Cobb, North Fulton or Gwinnett. Despite what you've read, interracial couples are quite common, as is the adoption of orphaned children of from undeveloped countries. I personally know dozens of people (couples and singles) that have adopted children born Russian, Chinese, South American, etc (remember, Atlanta has the busiest airport in the world and is well connected internationally).

Sad to say, the only negative reaction you might get is from African-Americans who want to know why "white people" have black children. And yes, in Atlanta a "red-headed Italian and Hispanic" will most likely be seen as just regular old "white people." LOL!

[JoDan]

You'll fit in nicely in Atlanta.

[Tarzanman]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Sad to say, the only negative reaction you might get is from African-Americans who want to know why "white people" have black children. And yes, in Atlanta a "red-headed Italian and Hispanic" will most likely be seen as just regular old "white people." LOL!

Lol, very doubtful.

You may get a few second glances, but the race will play little or no part in any abnormal attention or comments you get. (Thank Madonna and Brangelina? :-) )

Education, intelligence level, and social IQ will.

[gamrgrl72]

Stay close to Atlanta, North of Atlanta is family oriented and there are all kinds of families, I have friends of all races and back grounds here. Anywhere you go you'll find close minded people, so you will find some here but it's not the norm.
I agree with East Cobb, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, etc.
If you like intown living you'll find a ton of great communities, they'll cost more for less house and often the public schools are a challenge but that is an option as well.