[blparent] Intro and Question about city accessibility

[Star Gazer]

		We recently moved to a city I wasn't sure about. Turns out
to have been a wonderful decision. 
I'd worry less about political views, all I care about is if there are
things to do with my kids and husband. 
I'm not a fan of my state's political leanings but I don't have the time or
energy or inclination to really care. I am far more concerned with whether
or not my kids have good schools, safe places to play, and if there are fun
things to do. 
Wherever you look, see if they have activities you enjoy. We have a local
airport that is very active in general as opposed to commercial aviation. WE
also have a drum circle that meets at a family friendly hour. The libraries
have a lot of kid activities starting at very young ages. When I called the
local library of the other place we were looking at, the librarian acted
like I had two heads when I asked about story time for babies.  
The local parks have geese and ducks and families as opposed to only joggers
go there. 
When you decide on an area, mention it to people to get their take. My
husband considered a move to a different city before we moved here. We were
interested in a neighborhood that was over a hundred years old. When I'd
mention it to people in the area, they'd all get quiet and if they said
anything at all, it was "oh, I've never heard of that place". Either
something not so nice was going down in that area, or there was some other
reason people didn't talk about it. 
Conversely, when we found what is now our current home, everybody I spoke
too had nothing but good things to say about it. There was no hesitation and
they were willing to share that they knew of the area and what they knew of
it. 
As for your concerns about being judgmental, I wouldn't worry. People aren't
thinking about you as much as you may think. If your experience is proving
otherwise, either you are impersonal comments personally, are you are doing
something that puts people off. Nobody cares if you are a single mom. They
may care if you make comments about how men are no good or if you seem
bitter. 
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amanda
Matheny via blparent
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2015 12:12 PM
To: blparent
Cc: Amanda Matheny
Subject: [blparent] Intro and Question about city accessibility

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
Website: www.craftyfrugalmom.com
Twitter: @craftyfrugalmom
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