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I have been a long time lurker and this is my first post. A little bit about us, my husband and I (we are both CC) adopted two beautiful AA girls through foster care. We live in a relatively small town in Arkansas and will be in the position to move within the next year or two. We are in the process of researching potential homes and trying to decide where we can give the girls the best opportunities.
In reading, it is confusing me as to what would be best, finding a place with more diversity so they are not the minority or finding a place with more of a progressive mind-set? Of course it would be ideal to find a place with both but we are limited by a few things.....my husbands family live in Indiana and he does not want to live more than a days drive away from there, we love summer outdoor activities and would like to live somewhere that has a warmer climate.
I would love some input from anyone about good and or places to stay away from. Thank you!
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In the mid-late 90s, there was an interracial couple who published a magazine called "Biracial Child" that I wrote several articles for. They did a survey on what the best areas were for multiracial families. Atlanta, Georgia came out on top. It wasn't a real big survey, but there were quite a few families who had moved to Atlanta, from somewhere else and were much more comfortable there. I think being with people who are progressive thinkers in the most important. You might have to make opportunities for your kids to have playmates of their own race, but that wasn't hard, even here in Utah. My kids have been very popular, from the time they were old enough to barely start socializing with other children. Not that there aren't a few drawbacks, but I'm not sure you can totally avoid that. Hawaii would probably be a good place to live, but it is very expensive.
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noelani2
In the mid-late 90s, there was an interracial couple who published a magazine called "Biracial Child" that I wrote several articles for. They did a survey on what the best areas were for multiracial families. Atlanta, Georgia came out on top. It wasn't a real big survey, but there were quite a few families who had moved to Atlanta, from somewhere else and were much more comfortable there. I think being with people who are progressive thinkers in the most important. You might have to make opportunities for your kids to have playmates of their own race, but that wasn't hard, even here in Utah. My kids have been very popular, from the time they were old enough to barely start socializing with other children. Not that there aren't a few drawbacks, but I'm not sure you can totally avoid that. Hawaii would probably be a good place to live, but it is very expensive.
We live in a college town not far from Atlanta, and we have a lot of diversity in our town, neighborhoods, and schools. You can't go anywhere without running into a multiracial family. However 20 minutes from us any direction, and it's a very different makeup. We've never had any negative experiences, just much more rural and less diverse. We definitely believe our town has both the diversity and progressive mindset. There seems to be a really high percentage of adoptive families, too, but that might just be because I notice now. It's definitely nice to have so many people around us who "get it" and to live in a place where we don't stick out...
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Actually, I was going to suggest Atlanta, GA as well... I'm not in a transracial family, but I think the city has a lot of diversity and a moderate cost of living (downright low compared to the last two cities I lived in). But as LB said, if you get too far outside metro Atlanta it becomes a lot less diverse. I really, really like the city... even if I did get caught is 285 traffic gridlock on a Sunday friggin afternoon!
As with all cities, you have your desirable locations and less than desirable locations. Be sure to hire a good real estate agent and you should be fine.
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Thank you all for answering. Atlanta was one of the places we had been researching and considering. I have used city-data.com and one thing that came up again and again about Atlanta though is the theme that you don't want to leave the city. We weren't sure we wanted to live in a state where we wouldn't feel comfortable exploring. My husband pulled up an article titled the best ten places for african americans to live and we are now in the process of researching the possibility of Charlotte NC. But perhaps we should give Atlanta another look.
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I've only visited, but I was going to say Atlanta as well!!! If I wasn't so tied to my state, I would seriously consider moving there.
Best of luck figuring it out!
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DJ4baby
I have been a long time lurker and this is my first post. A little bit about us, my husband and I (we are both CC) adopted two beautiful AA girls through foster care. We live in a relatively small town in Arkansas and will be in the position to move within the next year or two. We are in the process of researching potential homes and trying to decide where we can give the girls the best opportunities.
In reading, it is confusing me as to what would be best, finding a place with more diversity so they are not the minority or finding a place with more of a progressive mind-set? Of course it would be ideal to find a place with both but we are limited by a few things.....my husbands family live in Indiana and he does not want to live more than a days drive away from there, we love summer outdoor activities and would like to live somewhere that has a warmer climate.
I would love some input from anyone about good and or places to stay away from. Thank you!
What is the closets Major City to your husbands family? (I also grew up in Indiana.)
I think the default is that many major cities offer a lot of diversity and different types of family. There are a number of larger cities Chicago IL, Indianapolis IN, Columbus/Cincinnati/Cleveland OH, St. Louis Mo. There are many diverse areas in Upstate NY (Rochester for one) with in a days drive as well. I also would ad the DC area and Maryland too (Both have historical AA Colleges that offer a opportunity to see professional & well educate, successful AA adults in larger numbers. Which is not uncommon by any means but is not often seen in the media or in large volumes in smaller communities. I think you can find a number larger cities that fit the bill. However, you may want to check out some midsize or even smaller cities with Universities with a strong history of diversity.
I guess a lot of it has to do with the type of careers you have, as some careers are more portable then others. And the life style you want relative to the cost of living.
We are also interested in being part of a more diverse area for our future family no matter the child's background. We currently live in a nice suburb with big homes & big yards. But, are totally car dependent, really limiting our interactions with the little bits of diversity that do exist. :drive:
So, for us part of the relocation means looking at town homes or smaller homes with walk-able/bike/public transit and diverse neighborhoods. I feel like if we are actually out walking/biking or riding the bus/subway, playing at the public park/pool (not always in the backyard,) going to the locally owned restaurants (not the chains,) then maybe we will actually become a part of whatever diversity our community has to offer. :hippie:
I'm sure you will find what is right for your family. Maybe ask the girls what types of things they might like in their next neighborhood? And maybe go for a little family vacation and try to stay in the area you would consider living... see how they feel about the new area.. :loveyou:
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