Alexandria: Nurse/ interracial couple looking to relocate (Pineville: crime, school)

[amanda9883]

I am a 23 and will be graduating from nursing school. I am looking to relocate with my boyfriend to Alexandria. We are an interracial couple, I'm white, he's black and i was wondering how that would be accepted or looked upon in the area. I was also wondering how the area is for people in their 20's. What is the weather like?? is it really buggy and humid all the time, or pretty bearable? I am from Pennsylvania and never lived out of the area, so my questions may sound naive to any locals...and I am naive about it all, haha. Also, the hospital is offering bonuses to come and work there (pretty impressive bonuses i would say with the state being considered a "poor state") Do you think that is for any reason that i should be alerted to related to the area? or just nothing short of the overall "nursing shortage"? Anything you think a younger, northern, small town, innocently naive girl should know before moving would be appreciated.

[ral31]

As a whole, the Alexandria area is fairly, but not extremely, racist. Some people will accept you, but I would say that a majority of people here frown upon bi-racial couples. If you do decide to move to Alexandria, the urban areas tend to be more racially tolerant than rural areas nearby.

Summers are usually long, hot, and very humid. You will probably find the rest of the year to be much more pleasant.

There is no major nursing shortage that I am aware of. For a city its size (Alexandria has about 50,000 people and the metro is about 150,000), Alexandria has a huge medical industry. There are two major hospitals in the city of Alexandria (Rapides Regional and Christus St. Frances Cabrini). And Pineville has a charity hospital (Huey P. Long) and a VA Hospital. Both Rapides and Cabrini are undergoing huge expansions.

This area is definitely quite conservative as it is located in the Bible Belt. There is a significant Cajun influence, but not as much as areas to the south. Alexandria has plenty of good restaurants and has a mall, but there are not many entertainment options. The economy is strong and the region is growing. I would watch out for crime in certain areas, especially the older sections of Alexandria. Overall, I would consider this is a nice area.

Hope this helps.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by Rmaf623

As a whole, the Alexandria area is fairly, but not extremely, racist. Some people will accept you, but I would say that a majority of people here frown upon bi-racial couples. If you do decide to move to Alexandria, the urban areas tend to be more racially tolerant than rural areas nearby.

Summers are usually long, hot, and very humid. You will probably find the rest of the year to be much more pleasant.

There is no major nursing shortage that I am aware of. For a city its size (Alexandria has about 50,000 people and the metro is about 150,000), Alexandria has a huge medical industry. There are two major hospitals in the city of Alexandria (Rapides Regional and Christus St. Frances Cabrini). And Pineville has a charity hospital (Huey P. Long) and a VA Hospital. Both Rapides and Cabrini are undergoing huge expansions.

This area is definitely quite conservative as it is located in the Bible Belt. There is a significant Cajun influence, but not as much as areas to the south. Alexandria has plenty of good restaurants and has a mall, but there are not many entertainment options. The economy is strong and the region is growing. I would watch out for crime in certain areas, especially the older sections of Alexandria. Overall, I would consider this is a nice area.

Hope this helps.

Do you think Alexandria's proximity to Ft. Polk makes it less racist than it would otherwise be?

[ral31]

Fort Polk might have an effect on the level of racism in Alexandria, but I really don't know. Fort Polk is not extremely close to Alexandria (it's about an hour away). Alexandria is still pretty racist, but not overwhelmingly so. Racism is considerably lower than it once was, which is probably the case in most other places. Certainly, some racial tension does exist, both on the parts of blacks and whites. But, in my opinion, the majority of blacks and whites seem to get along with each other. Alexandria is still fairly segregated racially. About half of the city is almost exclusively black. The other half is majority white, with a number of blacks mixed in as well.

[pastel31]

For what its worth, I am black and have lived in the Alexandria area for over 5 years and go to Old Town Alexandria (King St) to shop, eat, etc. just about every weekend and I do not have any complaints about racism. I love the area and I think the people are pretty friendly. Cops are a pain, but I have not been pulled over for no reason (I actually was speeding, etc.) and was never disrespected - except for once, and I think he was a special kind of ____ - that was like 4 years ago. In general, I think its just fine here if you otherwise like the Alexandria lifestyle.

[ral31]

Originally Posted by pastel31

For what its worth, I am black and have lived in the Alexandria area for over 5 years and go to Old Town Alexandria (King St) to shop, eat, etc. just about every weekend and I do not have any complaints about racism. I love the area and I think the people are pretty friendly. Cops are a pain, but I have not been pulled over for no reason (I actually was speeding, etc.) and was never disrespected - except for once, and I think he was a special kind of ____ - that was like 4 years ago. In general, I think its just fine here if you otherwise like the Alexandria lifestyle.

Do you mean Alexandria, Louisiana or an Alexandria in another state? There's no such place as Old Town Alexandria or a King St. in Alexandria, LA.

[pastel31]

I meant Alexandria, VA - DC metro