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I'll be honest. I was in an interracial relationship when I first considered moving to the Phoenix area. I'm white, my ex-fiance at the time is black. We had a lot of problems there - but I don't want to say that doesn't happy anywhere. We faced a lot of problems in California, too - which prompted the attempt to move to PHX.. but it just wasn't meant to be. If it's any consolation the PHX area always ranks high in terms of interracial couples.. we just seemed to have some real problems. Race relations are tense all over the US - so I mean you're going to face that wherever you move. I know from experience it's not "just Phoenix" or anything.
Personally, I think you'd be welcome in a lot of neighborhoods - there's a lot of great folks down there which is why I anticipate a move there as soon as I can. I'd say check out some of the more prominent suburbs - personally it would be Chandler if I was still in that relationship and wanted to try again. I did notice other couples of mixed elasticities there.
I am in an interracial marriage. We haven't had any problem here. If people have a problem with our make-up, they dont say. Yes, it's very white here. But, we have some mixed couple friends. I see less african american families than I see mixed race families. Either way, I think it's fine raising kids here. If I had my choice, I'd be somewhere else. But, that's a different story. As far as LPN's, the nursing job market is strained right now. Yes, there are alot of facilities/clinics and whatnot. Hospitals out here do not typically hire LPN's. If they do it is Banner, but it's rare. Mostly LTC and Dr. offices/clinic settings. The pay is between $18-$30 depending on where you land. I do see adds for LPN's, but most are LTC. I think your family will be just fine here. It's not like Chicago is free of racism. I think you will find it less here. But, I hate to speculate. there are idiots everywhere. Good luck withyour move, and hope you can handle the heat...it's hotter than haiti's
That's about the only thing they were right about. If you want to put your kids in a good school district (for Phoenix anyhow) then the Madison District is the best, although many people really like the Kyrene district. Surprise schools are ok from what I hear, but I don't know much about them. Compared to schools back east and mid-west we definitely get an F, the better schools might get a C-.
It's hot here. Sometimes nasty, sticky, muggy hot. Mostly just burn you up and suck you dry hot, but that's what A/C is for.
The majority of people here really don't make much about race. Yes, there are racists here, but they are every where and every color. Some places have more, some have less.
Phoenix is very different from Chicago. I strongly suggest visiting for at least a week before moving out here. Pick out the places you want to look at before hand then plan your trip to that. Also, a job is a must have before you move.
That's about the only thing they were right about. If you want to put your kids in a good school district (for Phoenix anyhow) then the Madison District is the best, although many people really like the Kyrene district. Surprise schools are ok from what I hear, but I don't know much about them. Compared to schools back east and mid-west we definitely get an F, the better schools might get a C-.
It's hot here. Sometimes nasty, sticky, muggy hot. Mostly just burn you up and suck you dry hot, but that's what A/C is for.
The majority of people here really don't make much about race. Yes, there are racists here, but they are every where and every color. Some places have more, some have less.
Phoenix is very different from Chicago. I strongly suggest visiting for at least a week before moving out here. Pick out the places you want to look at before hand then plan your trip to that. Also, a job is a must have before you move.
This isn't true about the schools; if you compare suburban school districts in Phoenix with Suburban school districts in the midwest, we top them. If you compare urban and "inner-city" schools in Phoenix with those of the midwest, our schools are like private schools compared to everywhere else in the nation much less the midwest and blow the other cities out of the water! There isn't a comparison. Where schools in Arizona get a C- or worse is in PER PUPIL SPENDING; this is not however, an indication of graduation rates, standardized test scores, college entrance, achievement, etc.
This was posted before but just for clarification and comparison:
Quote:
Also, Phoenix metro schools outrank the nation in standardized testing, ACT/SAT testing, graduation rates, etc. The Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix Union High School, Tempe, etc. have some of the highest rates of graduation, even when the illegal immigrant population is account for. Mesa had THE highest graduation rate in the nation in 2008. Cities like Boston, Philly, Detroit, Chicago, L.A., New York, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Minneapolis, etc. have lower graduation rates than Phoenix and we all know of the problems with illegals in Phoenix. AND YES, ATLANTA is a much more segregated city, where blacks do (UNFORTUNATELY) fail and drop out of high school in large numbers because they are disenfranchised even to this day! The graduation rate in Atlanta for all students is less than 48%!!! Abysmal doesn't begin to describe that sad state of public education.
Students in a handful of big-city school districts have a less than 50-50 chance of graduating from high school with their peers, and a few cities graduate far fewer than half each spring, according to research released on Tuesday.
Fourteen urban school districts have on-time graduation rates lower than 50%; they include Detroit, Baltimore, New York, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Denver and Houston.
I'm glad that you're such an optimist about Phoenix schools and Phoenix in general fcorrales80, I really am. Optimism and statistics don't always make things true though. I'll be a little more specific since I wasn't including High Schools in my "opinion".
To the OP, if you want a better education in the public elementary/middle school areas you would probably want to send your kids to the Madison school district, as it is the best in Phoenix. I have heard good things about the Kyrene district as well, but when I asked where teachers would send their kids in AZ the top two places I received answers for were Cave Creek (for state) and the Madison District (for Phoenix).
When I want to know about schools, I don't base my entire opinion on statistics. I go to the horses mouth, the teachers. Just to show the difference in educational standards, let us use two North Central elementary schools; Madison Rose Lane and Simpson Elementary. One is in the Madison district and the other is in the Alhambra District. 6th graders in Rose Lane read at 6th grade level or above, those in Simpson Elementary average out at the 3rd to 4th grade level (yes, I talked to reading teachers too). Now the statistics for Rose Lane are probably spot on, however, statistics in Simpson tend to be fudged since (unfortunately) administration wants failing children given a passing grade (a C) whether they deserve it or not.
I don't want this to turn into an educational debate, but I don't want someone moving here to think their children are going to get the same type of education that they would back in the mid-west/east coast. It really can come down to what district you place your children in.
I'm glad that you're such an optimist about Phoenix schools and Phoenix in general fcorrales80, I really am. Optimism and statistics don't always make things true though. I'll be a little more specific since I wasn't including High Schools in my "opinion".
To the OP, if you want a better education in the public elementary/middle school areas you would probably want to send your kids to the Madison school district, as it is the best in Phoenix. I have heard good things about the Kyrene district as well, but when I asked where teachers would send their kids in AZ the top two places I received answers for were Cave Creek (for state) and the Madison District (for Phoenix).
When I want to know about schools, I don't base my entire opinion on statistics. I go to the horses mouth, the teachers. Just to show the difference in educational standards, let us use two North Central elementary schools; Madison Rose Lane and Simpson Elementary. One is in the Madison district and the other is in the Alhambra District. 6th graders in Rose Lane read at 6th grade level or above, those in Simpson Elementary average out at the 3rd to 4th grade level (yes, I talked to reading teachers too). Now the statistics for Rose Lane are probably spot on, however, statistics in Simpson tend to be fudged since (unfortunately) administration wants failing children given a passing grade (a C) whether they deserve it or not.
I don't want this to turn into an educational debate, but I don't want someone moving here to think their children are going to get the same type of education that they would back in the mid-west/east coast. It really can come down to what district you place your children in.
True, this would take it off topic. However, I think teachers can be a somewhat suggestive opinion as well. Why not look at reading scores for the AIMS test for particular grade levels. I doubt that teachers at Simpson said most 6th graders are at 3rd and 4th grade levels and Rose Lane teachers saying 6th graders are reading at the 6th grade level since that would be pretty difficult to accomplish at Rose Lane which only teachs k-4.
However, if you are talking about ESL students at Simpson whose first language is Spanish for example, I can see how this might be the case for Simpson since it has a larger immigrant (be they legal or not) population. However, I would suggest the OP look at AIMS scores and and school rankings. Also, consider checking out GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community for a school of interest in a particular neighborhood.
I do not want to sound bias or prejudice because i am neither of the two, but my family which consists of myself, husband and son who is 1 years old now, r considering moving to the east valley, Phoenix,Gilbert, Tempe/? Mesa area next year. we r an african american family, we want diversity, good low crime neighborhood with good school systems, day care facilities....i don't want to move and made to feel uncomfortable because of our race......does anyone know of an area with some african americans with all the above criteria i mentioned..your help is greatly appreciatred. we r looking to buy new under $200,000. FYO, we r moving from chicago....my husband and I are LPN's, how is the job market??????????????????? does anyone know of a good relocation specialist????
The PHX metro is a good area to raise a family. You say that you want diversity, but you must understand that the PHX metro isn't the most diverse. I knew that going in. Personally, I didn't have a problem with it b/c I get along with most. The people in the PHX area are nice and accepting and generally aren't worried about someone's race.
I came from a city that was diverse and not segregated. When I first moved to Chandler it was a little surprising at first. Kind of like standing out like a sore thumb. However, it felt less like that after I lived there longer. But I can understand your quest for diversity, but you're not going to get that in spades. You'll be accepted and blend in with the rest of the families. But be aware that you won't see a lot of Black families and you're likely to be the only one on your block. But no one will make you feel uncomfortable.
There are resources for Black families and people to connect through various social activities if you like. So you don't have to worry about that. As you connect with people you'll hear about those things.
Just go in with an open mind and you'll be ok. Good luck.
I do not want to sound bias or prejudice because i am neither of the two, but my family which consists of myself, husband and son who is 1 years old now, r considering moving to the east valley, Phoenix,Gilbert, Tempe/? Mesa area next year. we r an african american family, we want diversity, good low crime neighborhood with good school systems, day care facilities....i don't want to move and made to feel uncomfortable because of our race......does anyone know of an area with some african americans with all the above criteria i mentioned..your help is greatly appreciatred. we r looking to buy new under $200,000. FYO, we r moving from chicago....my husband and I are LPN's, how is the job market??????????????????? does anyone know of a good relocation specialist????
Tasha, I live in Gilbert and the community I live in has Latino (my wife), Chinese, Japanese, caucasians from different countries, and one family a few houses from mine that is a caucasian husband and African American wife, with children who blend in and play well with the other neighborhood children.
In many of the communities that I visit, I see people with different color skin, and quite frankly I don't think that matters to the majority of people here. I believe they judge you by the person you are, not the color of your skin.
Realtors are not allowed to "steer" buyers to or from neighborhoods due to any racial or religious preference. So understand that as you begin to do your search.
My suggestion is to get with a good realtor and look at houses within a reasonable commute distance from where you think you will work. As you look at houses, you will get a feel for the communities. When you find a house you like, knock on the doors of a couple neighbors and ask them about the schools and activites within the community.
Because many people are understandably leary about people knocking on their doors, you'll need to phrase your questions so that they understand that your intentions are simply to gather information about the area prior to buying a house, and not casing their house for a future burglary.
Everyone needs to be cautious about that sort of thing. Just remember that you will probably not find the "southern hospitality" mindset where people will invite strangers in for a chat because they knocked on their door. People here tend to be very busy and keep to themselves and a few friends. Don't mistake that cautious attitude for one of dislike.
I'll put in my .02 as well. I am in an interracial (b/w) marriage and have bi-racial kids. Phoenix is not "post-racial" in the best sense of the word. But I think, from my experiences here, the overwhelming majority of the nice neighborhoods are as accepting and free of racial crap of any city in the US and much, much more so that most of the US is. We have never had an issue with anyone in our many years here. Our neighborhood and our schools and our churches all have a mixture or mixtures of people. Are my kids friends white? Pretty much. But there ARE black kids in the class and Hispanics and Asians and mixed kids in the class. What is really cool here is they don't have to hang out "with their own kind" like so many places in our country. As bi-racial they don't have to choose. And nobody beats up on them because they are not black enough. They can choose friends on interests and personality and not skin color. As adults here we do the same. Unlike the poster above, I like that. Now, as some have said, I am sure there are some bigots about. But it is not OK to be a bigot here. It is not accepted or excused here like it is in some places. You can leave the city and not fear running into a bunch of gap-toothed throwbacks to the civil war here. You get the picture, I hope
Now, what we don't have is a broad economic cross-section in the neighborhoods. That is the hallmark of things Phoenix - there is self-segregation based on income. And that is the key to schools as well. By and large, the schools in the affluent areas compete on tests and achievement with public schools anywhere. The scores in my kids school exceed national norms by a large margin. I am always considering leaving Phoenix and look at schools in other areas. There are very, very few that are rated equal or higher than ours in Greatschools. On the other hand, the schools in the poorer areas can be dismal often challenged by non-English speaking kids, parents who don't appreciate the value of education, and a myriad of other issues.
Find out from the forum or your research where the good family neighborhoods are and don't be worrying about race or school issues.
Hi Tasha78. I am also a person of color and am very much intrested in moving to the Phoenix area. My sister currently lives in Queen Creek, she has been in AZ for over ten years. When I have visited her, I have found all people, black, white, Indian, Latino...etc to be extremely welcoming and nice. Hey maybe there will be a few racist people, but you will always find those everywhere no matter where you go. I am originally from NYC and am in constant prayer about being able to move to AZ. I was just wondering how did you make out and are you happy with your choice to move to AZ?
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does anyone know of a good relocation specialist????
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