Charlotte, Atlanta Played Out; Best Cities For Blacks to Relocate

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Ed

Things have change so fast, that you cannot depend on some simple-minded Black/urban magazine writer to keep it real about how brothas and sistas need to be where the work is at. Before I get started, let’s be a little honest about these Black media cats who trying to be gatekeepers and bougie about the definition of “Black and successful” in America.

As you know, the Internet has been very disruptive to traditional media, thanks to peer-to-peer networking and decentralized information distribution. When the first MP3 player by Rio hit the market, the record industry was straight hostile and going crazy because they knew the outcome. Many music artists now realize their album being leaked is not the problem, file sharing and downloading is. But the smart music artists learned to hustle and focus on live performance and other deals like clothing lines or flavored water to keep the money coming in.

But, hehe, many of these Black/urban publishing/magazine cats didn’t have a hustle – they just a bunch of following sideline cats who wrote their nonsense opinion or column and acted like they are important or special at socialite parties. Yeah, a few of them write books as a side hustle, but who read books? I thought books were just decorative pieces nowadays or used to balance an uneven piece of furniture. Some of them are now trying to be pundits on cable TV shows but they not getting a chance to peddle their book like they used to. And bloggers are straight kicking these Black columnist/writers bougie self-important ass on quality of content.

Okay, I’m only giving you this information just to explain why I don’t give a f*ck about these Black/urban writers because number one – they tried to pretend regular ambitious Black people like me and you didn’t exist and focused on these absurd stereotypes of our people instead. These Black media writers were looking for White people to validate a Black person with a record deal, Oscar nomination, TechCrunch writeup before they would cover brothas/sistas in their own Black media and that’s why I say f*ck em all. And the other reason is I don’t have no incentive to talk to cats like these Black writers being slowly marginalized, don’t know how to hustle but stilling trying to ass-kiss status quo.

So with all that said, these Black writers ain’t got the hustle to tell you brothas and sistas the best cities for Blacks to relocate. In fact, these Black writers need to listen to my ass because I’m educating them with what I’m about to say – that’s real talk.

I have been looking for work since the beginning of the year and been looking worldwide. I got a little more real-time information and intelligence and here is my input. First of all, places like Charlotte and Atlanta and even Las Vegas are played the f*ck out for brothas and sistas seeking to get up and move somewhere. I would only move to these places if you are able to work from home or work remotely in your career. But if you looking for a job, nah, better pass these places up.

I always prefer large cities because brothas and sistas need options when finding a job. It doesn’t make sense to be somewhere where there is only one or two main employers. Because of an unchecked discriminatory culture against people of color, brothas and sistas need to be living at places where they are flexible to move around jobs and build up networks if they have to. Another very important factor is mass transportation – cars are not all that. With that said, these are the places brothas and sistas may need to think about, in no particular order:

Phoenix – this city is actually doing a better job than Atlanta in terms of attracting talented diverse brothas and sistas for quite a while. One of the better cities for brothas/sistas to relocate to in the USA. This is a sleeper city, many cats don’t know because the Black media are frankly too stupid and stereotypical and want to focus on places like Atlanta instead to represent Blackness.

Washington, D.C. – When I mention this area, I’m also talking the Virginia/Maryland area also. Although it is very expensive to start new in this city, this city is really doing a lot of hiring. You ain’t been seeing on television long lines of unemployed cats in DC like the other cities. It is always open positions and jobs in DC because of new contracts, grants or something. I believe because the Democrats are back in power, you will see more pork projects meaning more hiring. It is plenty of cats leaving Atlanta going back to DC and I might be one of them.

Denver – Similar to Phoenix, Denver also has one of the biggest Black populations in the country, more than Atlanta. Their unemployment rate is lower than most Black cities and it is another city with mass transportation to make it easy for brothas and sistas to get around.

Seattle – this is a very interesting city as I believe it is the only city in the USA that still have labor work available for Americans. Seattle is a knowledge-based international city and I think brothas and sistas who move here will find themselves among a very bunch of talented, intelligent peers. Many people who lived in London say the city weather resembles London a lot. Fish and Chips is better than the East Coast Fish and Chips. The sistas in Seattle are extremely cute, casual and they talk proper, which is a home-run in my book. You can’t beat the free wi-fi coffee shops, pool halls and the Pacific seafood. Of course, I go back and forth from Seattle and still pondering should I relocate myself and Fooky, Inc. there.

London, UK – I’m going to include Glasgow and Dublin but will mainly focus on London. London is becoming an international city with hustlers all over the world who can speak English making moves. If you are pretty up there in skill level, you should notice they do have jobs for you over in London. I think London is still expensive as hell to live at so if you going there, it better be a very long-term call. You should already know that brothas and sistas are moving to London, UK to live and work.

Hong Kong – This city is for advanced brothas and sistas who want to work and build up an international firm, like a Fooky, Inc. Another international city with brothas and sistas who are on that other level. All those damn Phantoms driving around is very inspirational for a hustler. Money is in Hong Kong and I think it is a great place for a brotha or sista who got balls to go set up shop. Fashion, information services, and other type of international stuff. I will be doing more and more business there in the coming months and you will see me blog from there in the future. If you are thinking of Hong Kong, know cats in Hong Kong, please let me know.

If you know of any cities I have missed or think I’m off-base, please let me know.