Philly for Interracial couples? (Washington, Penn: renting, neighborhoods, school)

[sfist]

I may be moving to Philly in the next several months with my fiance and was wondering how the city is for interracial couples. Everything I've read so far about it indicates that the city is very racially divided. Where would be a good place to live (we'll both be at Penn grad school)?
Thanks!

[Zippy7fo]

Dude this is absurd question. Its philly not Alabama. You'll be fine and nobody cares. Philly is actually divided more along economic lines then racial. Seriousily you'll be fine and don't worry about it...

[rainrock]

University City where Penn is located is probably the most diverse section of the entire metro area.

I'd like to think the city is divided by class, not race. On campus and downtown you'll see every race interspersed with each other, its a pretty mellow laid back city in the educated parts of town. The problems stem from the distrust between the inner city citizens and those of higher means and vice versa. There is a huge disconnect there.

You won't have any problems in University City or Center City.

[sfist]

Thanks. I figured it wouldnt be anything drastic but had never been to Philly so wanted to get some insight. Much appreciated!

[newmarlig]

Besides University City and Center City (including Queen Village) another place to check out is West Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill. Unfortunately and sadly, there are still areas of the City where you would not be welcome.

[carolinajack]

You'll be fine friend. My wife and I are interracial couple and we live in Center City Philly. It is nice and pretty ok, but you have to watch out--people are not very warm and you may get some cold shoulders(liberalism here is not really practiced as preached. If you are a white male, black men may stare at you and give you dirty looks and if you are black male the black women may do the same. The whites by and large ignore the blacks, but I am sure if you are a white male you will make friends easily.

This isnt Alabama, but the segregation outside of Center City, University City and Mt Airy Chestnut Hill is like Alabama. Large ghettos, large working class white neighborhoods that feel uncomfortable if you wander into them.

I suggest looking at renting in Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy(which is IR mecca around here), University City where Penn is(hey another Ivy Leaguer woohoo) and Center City. Washington Sq West is a good community for grad students, young couples and med students.

[FindingZen]

I concur with the others about the neighborhoods mentioned. However, if you're planning to burn the midnight oil on campus as many grad students do,
Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy will seem like a long commute at night by car. And the trains that go there stop running around 11 or 12.

As a black guy who dates the entire rainbow, I can attest to getting negative vibes from black women when I am seen with someone else. I can't speak for white guys... but up there, I've see them coupled up with Asian females more than anyone else, for what it's worth.

And I agree with Carolinajack that despite the long-running Democratic political machine, the city as a whole is not that progressive. Many are Democrats because they support the strong union presence. Other than that, I think many local Democrats outside of the areas discussed are actually social conservatives.

[carolinajack]

yes, i think they are democrats only for the graft of the unions like the teachers and others, and the politicians are so corrupt.

I lived in CH and worked downtown and that was hard late at night but I am crazy about CH--the best thing about Philly.

but as a black american male, IR dating can be found here, though it can be iffy. many of the whites are not comfortable around blacks and the women will cross the street to afford a black person--partly because of the crime, but they do it also out of racial ignorance( even if you are a professional dressed well).
I have been called the N word by whites so its not any better than Alabama at times, but at the same time it can be nice at other times.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by carolinajack

yes, i think they are democrats only for the graft of the unions like the teachers and others, and the politicians are so corrupt.

I lived in CH and worked downtown and that was hard late at night but I am crazy about CH--the best thing about Philly.

but as a black american male, IR dating can be found here, though it can be iffy. many of the whites are not comfortable around blacks and the women will cross the street to afford a black person--partly because of the crime, but they do it also out of racial ignorance( even if you are a professional dressed well).
I have been called the N word by whites so its not any better than Alabama at times, but at the same time it can be nice at other times.

I should have been more specific about which unions as my mother is a retired schoolteacher. I support labor unions in general but those here in Philly have historically abused their power and are only now starting to be checked, Bob Brady's ascension notwithstanding.

But back to the topic...

Like in many places, those of Generation X and Y heritage are likely to be more accepting of IR relationships. I think Baby Boomers and beyond are somewhat more likely to have a problem with it. Overall, you can do worse than Philly for this topic... just make sure you're in the "right" neighborhood.

[carolinajack]

tone, i dont really know what you mean, seeing as I live in center city already.