west End / Westview Ok for a Gay Couple? (Atlanta, Decatur: fit in, to rent)

[thomasoo]

My partner and I are moving from Ft Lauderdale, FL to Atlanta GA in June. We have researched quite a bit and are very interested in the area called West End / Westview.

We know that there is probably not a large gay community in those areas and that the area is transitional and we are ok with that. We are wondering if a gay couple will be accepted in West End or Westview?

We love the historical homes in that area but are concerned we may not fit in there?

Can anyone help?

[KevK]

That probably would not be a good idea. Especially if you are a white gay couple. Try Midtown.

[davesm]

Unfortunately KevK was the first to post and chose to portray West End / Westview as a racist homophobic part of town. I can assure you that all kinds of people call these neighborhoods home. That includes different economic classes, races, and sexual orientations. Please don't let him persuade you otherwise. These neighborhoods are more diverse than many realize.

Also, Atlanta is a very cosmopolitan city. You don't have to worry about a gay friendly zone to limit your movements.

[willrusso]

It is the hood over there.

[JayRockTeam]

If you are looking for historical/traditional architechture you'll want to focus more on the Inman, Poncey/Highlands area. There is also a fairly new redevelopment effort along the northside drive corridor. Its a bit closer to downtown the colleges and other entertainment.

.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by davesm

Unfortunately KevK was the first to post and chose to portray West End / Westview as a racist homophobic part of town. I can assure you that all kinds of people call these neighborhoods home. That includes different economic classes, races, and sexual orientations. Please don't let him persuade you otherwise. These neighborhoods are more diverse than many realize.

Also, Atlanta is a very cosmopolitan city. You don't have to worry about a gay friendly zone to limit your movements.

If you think the West End is diverse or that the black men over there take well to homosexuality, I would invite you to stop in to Q Time for lunch one day and make your own observations. Either there or the sandwich shop in RD Abernathy (aka Ashby) street next to club 559. Yes they do have some new condos on that street and the condos might be gay friendly and maybe even "diverse" (I have not seen the residents there) but if you are talking about living out in the neighbourhood, you might get a rude wake up call one day. The West End is not just another "black neighbourhood" like Hollywood Hills is. It is the home of many blacks that are both religious conservatives and also militant types. The Nation of Islam is very active there and there is a mosque there as well. It is no secret that Al Amin (aka H Rapp Brown) kept shop there until he killed the police a few years ago over there. There are many blacks over there that are paranoid now about whites because they saw how "white homosexuals" took over Kirkwood and East Atlanta and they fear they will be the next to be given the boot. I am not saying everybody over there is like this but I have spent LOTS of time and know LOTS of people over there and the atmosphere towards a white gay couple over there would not be welcoming. Not a place I would hang out a rainbow flag.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Avatar

The West End area is very historic, but it's also a poor area with high crime. However, there is a lot of redevelopment going on there. Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta University are located there as well and help to contribute to the redevelopment push. But most college students don't hang out in the area much. I would recommend Castleberry Hill area. It's adjacent to the West End, safer, and it's probably more gay friendly.

I agree. It would be much more gay friendly.

[intoeyes2001]

Originally Posted by JayRockTeam

If you are looking for historical/traditional architechture you'll want to focus more on the Inman, Poncey/Highlands area. There is also a fairly new redevelopment effort along the northside drive corridor. Its a bit closer to downtown the colleges and other entertainment.

.

Yah right, if you have 500K to spend then you can look over there. If not, well ... I guess you can forget about it unless you want to rent.
Historic West End and West View have a lot of beautiful, historic houses for a very decent price (100K-200K). They are located 5 min from Downtown and maybe 10-15 min to Midtown.
It just amazes me that all these people throw their opinions about West end/West View without even living in this area. I can bet some of the contributors have never been here.
I have been living here for a while now, and know a pair of white lesbians as well as a pair of mixed gay couple living here. As far as know, they do not feel discriminated or harassed here. I was able to made quite a few (black) friends here and never felt unwelcome. I do not want to point fingers at who is white, and who is black here, but we have very diverse neighborhood association working together on improving this place. A lot of blacks here, in opposition to other neighborhoods, are educated and open minded people who welcome new residents.
What are you talking about KevK ? Militant types in West End??? LOL Maybe it is time to change the channel on TV?
The neighborhood is transitional and it becomes more diverse every month. I have had two white couples buying houses on my street in the last two months. Yes, we have some Muslims here, but who says they are worse than Catholics????
If you are interested in this area, you should come to the West End Neighborhood Development Association meeting (first Tuesday of the month) and talk to the people that actually live here.

[atlantagreg30127]

I like others would suggest the Grant Park, Inman Park, or areas of Decatur. Midtown proper and Virginia Highlands also have some really nice older homes, but they're also the most expensive.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by intoeyes2001

Yah right, if you have 500K to spend then you can look over there. If not, well ... I guess you can forget about it unless you want to rent.
Historic West End and West View have a lot of beautiful, historic houses for a very decent price (100K-200K). They are located 5 min from Downtown and maybe 10-15 min to Midtown.
It just amazes me that all these people throw their opinions about West end/West View without even living in this area. I can bet some of the contributors have never been here.
I have been living here for a while now, and know a pair of white lesbians as well as a pair of mixed gay couple living here. As far as know, they do not feel discriminated or harassed here. I was able to made quite a few (black) friends here and never felt unwelcome. I do not want to point fingers at who is white, and who is black here, but we have very diverse neighborhood association working together on improving this place. A lot of blacks here, in opposition to other neighborhoods, are educated and open minded people who welcome new residents.
What are you talking about KevK ? Militant types in West End??? LOL Maybe it is time to change the channel on TV?
The neighborhood is transitional and it becomes more diverse every month. I have had two white couples buying houses on my street in the last two months. Yes, we have some Muslims here, but who says they are worse than Catholics????
If you are interested in this area, you should come to the West End Neighborhood Development Association meeting (first Tuesday of the month) and talk to the people that actually live here.

Really? I am moving in! Gosh- have all those NOI guys left the street corners over there? Where am I gonna get my fruit, bean pies and the latest copy of "The Final Call"?