[blparent] Intro and Question about city accessibility

[Amanda Matheny]

Hello,

I had joined this list before, but left when things got very hectic
and I needed to reduce my list mail. I am back now and I have a
question, but first I will briefly introduce myself.

My name is Amanda. I will be 31 in a month and a half and I have a
4-year-old son. I am a single mom. We're currently living in Texas,
but I don't feel like this is where I belong and am planning to move
after I finish my Bachelor's degree. I was originally planning to move
to Portland, Oregon, and may still, but there are some problems with
Portland that are forcing me to reconsider my plans. Speaking of
which, that is the other part of this email.

At present, I have three possible options, though there are advantages
and disadvantages to all three. Let me describe myself and what I am
looking for in a place, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of
my current options, and if you think you know a place that fits the
bill, please suggest it and why you think it fits. I will then
research all the options in an effort to make a good decision for
myself and my son.

I am not religious. I consider myself agnostic. I am visually impaired
and my son is fully sighted. Both socially and politically I am middle
of the road. I'm direct middle of the road politically, neither
republican nor democrat. Socially I am leaning slightly liberal. I
like to tease that I am too liberal for Texas, but quite likely too
conservative for Portland, which is very liberal. I love the outdoors
and I have a good independence level. I prefer to do things without
assistance whenever possible. I am a Special Education major. Here are
some basic criteria I want in a city to move to. I don't expect any
city to meet these perfectly, but it should do so as closely as
possible.

1. I'd like to have friends there. Of course there are lots of places
I don't have friends, but if I don't have them already, it should be
pretty easy to meet and connect with other people, including those who
have kids in my son's age range because I'll need to make friends for
both of us. Of course a city where I already know at least a couple
people will be most likely given priority, but if one that does not
already have people I know fits these criteria better, it will still
be considered.
2. Must have good public transportation. The fixed route system should
span the entire city, possibly even suburbs, and should run
frequently, no more than every 20 minutes on weekdays, 30 on Saturdays
and hour on Sundays, and if it's better than that, so much the better.
A couple of light rail options doesn't hurt either. Paratransit should
be reliable when needed for appointments and such.
2. Low crime rate, especially violent crimes and sex crimes. I do not
want to put myself and my son in an unsafe environment. Any city is
going to have some level of crime, but it should not be overrun by
crime.
3. Very little drug use, and drugs should be illegal. Part of the
problem with the northwest is the legalization of drugs, like
marijuana, not only for medical use but for recreational use. I heard
they're even planning on putting pot stores on the streets, like
liquor stores, and a few people I know that live up there have said
more people are using drugs and doing so publicly for all to see. This
is intolerable to me and I will not expose myself or my son to it. I
hate smoking of all forms and if I could help it, I wouldn't expose
myself to cigarettes either, but they are everywhere so that is
unavoidable. However, if you live in a place where smokers are at
least respectful of non-smokers, and tend to stay clear of them,
especially children, then it might be worth considering.
4. People should not be judgmental. I know that in some cities, people
are more open minded toward the blind than others. That is actually
one of Portland's advantages. Around here, they're nothing but
patronizing, with very few exceptions. I want to live in a place where
I can put my degree to good use and not be assumed incapable based on
my blindness.
5. Should have a university. This is a must as I intend to pursue my
Master's degree in Special Education with a focus on visually impaired
students. My current focus is mild/moderate as that is all that is
offered by my online university, so I'll need to transfer to a
physical one for a VI focus.
6. Reasonable climate. Texas gets a lot of flash flooding and
thunderstorms. One of Portland's advantages is that while it gets
rain, it's usually not as heavy or violent. Salt Lake is another
option I've considered that I like, but I don't like the snow,
especially when the sidewalks are not plowed. That doesn't rule them
out, but it's something to consider. I'd prefer a nice, moderate
climate, very little extreme weather problems such as hurricanes,
tornados, and absolutely no earthquakes! I couldn't handle those.
7. Ideally should have Section 8 wait lists open or apartments with
open wait lists that do project based section 8 or similar state based
programs. Money is tight for myself and my son, who are currently
living in a mobile home and only paying lot rent. Unfortunately we
can't take the mobile home with us or we could just find an accessible
community there, and we can't afford to buy a new one, so when we move
out, we'll have to go section 8 or similar until I finish college.
We'd prefer a 2 bedroom section 8 or similar so we don't have to share
a room since he's used to his own now, but that actually should be
easier since most 1 bedrooms get a lot more full than 2 bedroom ones.

I'm sure there are other things I'd like but these are some of the big
ones. Now here are the possibilities for the three cities I've
considered and their advantages/disadvantages. One of them has been
entirely ruled out and I will tell why in its description.

Portland Oregon: Advantages - great public transportation system,
friends in and near the area, some with kids my son's age, almost
everything accessible, easily navigable address system, people seem
open to the ability of the blind, Portland State University, mostly
reasonable weather. Disadvantages - A bit too liberal for my comfort,
legalized recreational marijuana along with expanding public use and
the emergence of pot shops, severely limited blind services, though
Portland residents can acquire services from Vancouver Washington if
needed.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Advantages - Another great transit system,
friendly people, easy to navigate, know the area from living there
before, University of Utah, my son's old pediatrician from when he was
a baby if she still works there, who I trust and often tease that I'd
like back, some friends there, though none with kids. Disadvantages: A
little too conservative and religious, though not so bad in the main
city, snow and often unplowed sidewalks during the winter, making
travel more difficult, ex's family lives there (haven't figured out
yet if this is actually an advantage or a disadvantage.)
Plano, Texas: Advantages - Friends from high school, even several
sighted ones that don't tend to judge, most with kids around my son's
age, I know my way around since I grew up there, weather is usually
okay but can get bad at times. Disadvantages - limited public
transportation so need to walk most places, no university
(dealbreaker)

I know this is kind of long, but I'm trying to be thorough. I'd prefer
a place I've visited before as well, but I haven't visited too many
places so that may or may not be doable. I'm going to have to do some
thinking, researching, and soul searching, because wherever I go, I
want it to be final and where I end up settling. Feel free to make any
suggestions you think might fit the bill. Thanks!

Amanda

-- 
Amanda Matheny
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