Relocating w/bi-racial children-Hartselle area? (Huntsville, Decatur: transplants, to buy, school)

[blessedw2]

I'm a single woman from Los Angeles. I've lived in Huntsville for 3 years and love it. However, I'm looking to move to the Decatur,Hartselle,Cullman area but am concerned about moving from a progressive area to a less progressive town with two young bi-racial boys.

Is one area better than another? Obviously, the KKK is a concern now, though it never crossed my mind until I starting telling friends I was thinking about moving.

My children are mixed white/black. Beautiful children that are yet to be questioned or faced with any kind of hate because of who they and their parents are and I'd like it to stay that way.

All information and suggestions would be so helpful.

Tami

[planintomove]

Yikes!! From someone hoping to move to the area is that a concern??

[Southlander]

The KKK is NOT a concern.
However, you might want to stick to the larger towns - Huntsville would really be best. Hartselle is a very small town. Decatur - there are mixed race children, but not many. Visit before you decide for sure. Good luck!

[blessedw2]

The KKK has NOT been a concern here in Huntsville. However I am looking at moving nearer to Wallace College and the Klan was brought to my attention. I understand Cullman is one of the only towns that still issues permits for the KKK to hold their rants on public land (courthouse square) and now I'm wondering what is a compromise between Huntsville and Cullman.

The boys attend a school now that has a wonderful mix of ethnic backgrounds. I'm sure that is because Huntsville is such a melting pot of transplants.

But, if I need to move closer to Wallace then what are some other areas to take a look at? Or is it the opinion that the KKK in these smaller towns are more like a few snakes that just come around every once in a while and then crawl back under the rocks from which they live and I don't need to worry much about them?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by blessedw2

I'm a single woman from Los Angeles. I've lived in Huntsville for 3 years and love it. However, I'm looking to move to the Decatur,Hartselle,Cullman area....

I'm from Los Angeles too.

How did you decide to live in those areas? Did you get a job there? School?

[blessedw2]

I moved from LA three years ago. My husband (at the time) moved us here to be closer to his parents. He then returned to LA (and his girlfriend) and continues to live between Los Angeles and Huntsville. Honestly, if I had a choose between LA and Huntsville to raise the boys, I'd pick Huntsville every time. I really do like it here. I'm just looking at reducing a commute to Cullman and that is why I'm asking for suggestions of areas between here and there if I decide to make a move from Huntsville.

[Southlander]

Well, it's a free country (so far) and anyone who wants to buy a permit for any kid of rant has a right to do so. Few people listen, however.
BUT...you have to consider that Cullman is small, with not a lot of outside people coming in. It takes a long time for anybody to be accepted there.

[southern by choice]

I would not be moving my boys out of Huntsville if I was in your situation.

[integrity4al]

I have lived in the North Alabama area all of my life, but I have traveled the world. In your particular situation, I would totally avoid Cullman and Hartselle. Decatur (on the Southwest side only) would be okay, but Huntsville is still the best choice. Huntsville is by far the most diverse society and the most open.

[deesonic]

KKK? Really? Ok, I agree with other posters that Huntsville is definitely the most diverse area in North Alabama. But as a near lifelong resident of NA, I will say that the likelihood of running into card carrying KKK types in Alabama in 2008 is about as likely as running into a deadly Viking horde. But, I'd stick with Huntsville unless you just have to move closer to the Cullman area. I'll certainly admit you could run into some obnoxious rednecks, but actual KKK? Nah.