Derrickt4

We are pretty tired of the winters here in Wisconsin. My wife and I are both from the Midwest and is looking for a change. I am African- American and my wife is Caucasian, we have 2 kids 11 and 8 and want to make sure we move to an area that is very accepting of mixed marriages. Since we have lived in the Midwest our whole life we have no clue what Southern living is like. Schools are very important and of course a very low crime areas will be ideal. We have researched the Carolina's and will most likely visit the North Carolina area this Spring. Madison WI is very Liberal and laid back so we are use to college town atmosphere. I would just like some recomendations on safe areas for us to raise our family. I thank you in advance for helping us with any suggestions.

Derrick

Humphries711

I live in Alabama, and certain areas are definitely more rural (and non-liberal) than others, but we LOVE living here! We have had many friends move here from other places, such as California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan & New York, and almost all of them say that the LOVE living in Alabama. Low property taxes and costs of living. Two MAJOR university towns would be Tuscaloosa & Auburn. Big rivalry here!! And there are some smaller university towns such as Huntsville (UAH), Jacksonville (JSU), Troy (TSU), and several others. Our friends (originally from NYC) who just moved to California are sooo homesick and say they miss Alabama very badly and that it has been their favorite place to live. The thing I enjoy most about living here is that where I live, we have gorgeous mountains (The Foothills of the Appalachians), amazing lakes (Check out Guntersville Lake), and where we live, we are only 1 hour from Birmingham (probably the biggest metropolitan area in the state) and 1.5 hours from Atlanta. We can easily travel to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee or anywhere on the Gulf Coast. Gulf Shores and Destin, FL are our favorites! If you have never visited the Gulf, and especially the "Emerald Coast" - you are missing out! I think that the beaches there do not even compare to the Caribbean, Jamaica or even places like Cozumel. You should visit a few places and get a feel for what area you like. Hope this helps!

Gretchen

I'd guess that employment opportunities would be at the top of your list for choosing places.

Gretchen

I'd guess that employment opportunities would be at the top of your list for choosing places.

JanetKMR

What are your occupations?

I would stay out of the deep south completely and out of the rural areas of any other southern state (I say this as a life long southerner).

In NC, I would look at the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area or possibly Charlotte.

Ackislander

There are places in the rural South where you are definitely going to feel a draft, but that is probably true even in Wisconsin.

I sound like a broken record on relocation questions like this, but the big question is how you are going to support your family. It will drive everything else. In any of the larger cities and all university communities -- as opposed to towns with a college -- there is desirable housing in desirable school districts available to people of all races but not to people in all economic situations.

For example, I have been spending a lot of time in Richmond for the past few years and have been amazed -- given the area's past -- at the racial integration in housing, not just in the core city but "out in the county" , formerly a refuge for fleeing whites. Again, there is certainly economic segregation but very little racial, so it seems, though of course in Atlanta, famously, substantial and expensive subdivisions sere AA professionals who want to live among their peers.

Richmond also has a vibrant African American cultural life and substantial participation of African Americans in the cultural life of the city as a whole ( museums, music, churches) which I think would be good for a family that is interested in their children being in touch with all their heritages.

I don't think Richmond is unusual in this, but a smaller city/SMSA is easier to navigate than a megacity.

Just some things to think about, wherever you decide to look.

jayne1973

If you consider Texas as the south, you might look at Austin.

Gretchen

I'll echo/second what Ack says for charlotte. Inter-racial couples are no head turners here at all. And Charlotte has worked VERY hard on its race relations for decades--since the 60's and 70's.
That said, it isn't all about race. An acquaintance moved from mass. to NC/Raleigh area and just felt "cold shouldered". That did not surprise me--she had an edge that bordered on sharp. And eventually left the area. SO it really is a two way street. But people from Wisconsin are SO nice so you shouldn't have that problem!!

BigRuss

If you consider Texas as the south, you might look at Austin

Or any other major city in Texas. And considering that people from all over the country are coming to live in Texas, you shouldn't have assimilation problems if you move to a city here.

P.S. - Austin is not the equivalent of Madison - it's about 3x the size and 80x the traffic. And Madison has a nicer capitol.

Gretchen

But you are talking about MAMMOTH cities in Texas!!

HappyTrvlr

I know an interracial couple who needed to be in Texas. They now live in Austin and it was the only place in Texas they would consider.

schlegal1

Northern Virginia. I would never choose it for myself but it is liberal and tolerant, near D.C. and winter exists but is pretty mild compared to WI. Plenty of job opportunities, too.

Asheville, NC and Charlottesville, VA also both have a liberal atmosphere but you will not see as many people of color as you would in more urban/suburban areas. Some of the people I know here in C-ville find that frustrating and a tad isolating.

STATSSkipper

Just a quick response. Before moving in, find a place you like. Find a job then decide to move it. It'll be hard to just transfer there without any source of income.

longhorn55

I would also recommend Northern Virginia--particularly Arlington or Fairfax Counties. Both counties have a liberal atmosphere, a very diverse population, a low crime rate, and some of the best public schools in the country.

JanetKMR

My only issue with NOVA would be the traffic. The *&^%$ traffic.

Derrickt4

I really appreciate the insight from everyone. I work remotely from home so my job goes where I go. My wife is very flexible with her company also, so employment will remain. I am mainly concerned about finding quality schools and areas with low crime and gang activity. obviously you can't escape crime and gangs entirely, but I would like a very low amount. I will consider everyones input and research your recommendations. Burrrrrrr! Back to the snow and -30 degree weather today.

Kind Regards,
Derrick

bankbabe

I was also going to discourage NoVa because of the traffic. It would be a shock coming from Madison, WI. The OP needs to post back and let us know what type of job he is looking for, unless they are independently wealthy...

Gretchen

The NC Research Triangle area would be a good fit. and it is 2 hours from the mountains and 2 hours from the beach--can't beat that!!

nanabee

Derrrick, could you rent a house for a summer with your family in the area you are considering first. If you are a more liberal family I would think parts of the south would be difficult (at least for me) to live in. I think university towns would tend to be a little more liberal.

bankbabe -- Derrick mentioned that: >> I work remotely from home so my job goes where I go. My wife is very flexible with her company also, so employment will remain>>

Dukey1

The "traffic" issue in Communist Virginia depends a great deal on where you end up living and where your place of work is. Unlike some cities in Virginia, there is a fairly decent public transportation system.

Be aware of the costs of living in that area as well as the costs of living in Virginia in general. Although compared to Wisconsin it might actually be cheaper.