What should we expect ???? (Portland, Salem: house, schools, universities)

[blacksmithof2009]

Greeting Everyone, my family and I are considering relocating to Turner/Salem-Oregon. I am wanting your various inputs to this question?
" As an African-American family what should or could we anticipate given some of the blogs we have read. "
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[Silverfall]

Well it depends on what you are asking. I assume since you are pointing out that you are an African-American family that you have questions about racial tolerance?

Oregon in general is not a diverse state. You can get on the census bureau and see the stats. You would need to be pretty comfortable with the fact that you won't see many other African-Americans around you. The state is very slowly increasing its minority populations, but we have a looooong way to go...I originally came from the Chicago area and was stunned when I moved out to Portland almost 20 years ago, about the lack of diversity.

Turner is really, really small. It is not much of a town, quite frankly, but it has gorgeous acreage property. Most people live in Turner to get land. It takes 5-10 minutes to get into South Salem from Turner.

Generally speaking South and West Salem schools get the highest marks from the state board of education.

There are some gang issues (Hispanic) in North and N/E Salem so if you have concerns about harassment I would talk with the gang task force guys. They could tell you about racial incidents. Gang Unit (http://www.cityofsalem.net/Departments/Police/gangunit/Pages/default.aspx - broken link) is the link to the gang unit folks. I've had a few clients talk with them about issues and they said they were very upfront and helpful about their concerns.

No matter where you live there will be bigots.

[karlsch]

You might want to read through this thread started by an AA woman who was thinking of moving to Salem:
//www.city-data.com/forum/eugen...em-i-need.html

It had a happy ending.

[justcarol]

Oregon is more diverse in its cities, and less in the rural areas. Portland is pretty diverse, but silverfall is correct, we do not have a hugely diverse population. I don't believe you would have any problems, people here do tend to relate to others by what they do rather than race, ethnic background or religion, but there are bigots everywhere. Native Oregonians are fairly layed back in their attitudes. They work hard, they enjoy their state and they are friendly for the most part.

It does take some time to be considered an "Oregonian" but that has nothing to do with race, it's just the way the we are.

If you do decide to come, WELCOME. The population may not be diverse, but the state is. You can explore the desert, fossils, lakes, natural wonders...then go skiing, enjoy the Oregon Coast, hike everywhere and anywhere. Enjoy our schools and universities throughout the state. Winters are wet...in fact it might be wet anytime, and in some places the snow flies. Spring is a wonder, our summers are dry and hot in the central part of the state, warm and breezy at the beach and most days in the Salem/Portland area are moderate. Fall is colorful and we often have an Indian Summer that is amazing. A week or so of warm winds coming down the Columbia Gorge....it's the best.

Can you tell that I love the state? I was born and raised on the central coast, attended college in the northeastern part of the state and now reside not far from Salem. I dont' believe I'd ever live anywhere else.

[Leisesturm]

[quote=blacksmithof2009;7787485]Greeting Everyone, my family and I are considering relocating to Turner/Salem-Oregon. I am wanting your various inputs to this question?
" As an African-American family what should or could we anticipate given some of the blogs we have read. [/quote]

Why, why, why? Has someone left you a house there? If yes, by all means. You will be quite alone but that is probably preferrable to the alternatives. My situation is very, very different from yours and for us it was PDX or nothing because there are some specific intrinsics to Portland and nowhere else that we were interested in. It seems to me though, that there are small communities dotting America that would have what Turner does and that would have better weather and a population that would be much more welcoming of an African American family. I can't say I understand the draw without further comment from the o.p.

H

[EnricoV]

While I agree, Leisesturm, and everyone should be aware of the situation they'd be getting into ... wouldn't it be beneficial to us all to have that situation change? And the only way that it will change is to integrate smaller Oregon towns.