Black Bostonians Who Left The City Share Why They Moved

In search of equality and better opportunities, thousands of Black former residents of Boston have moved to Atlanta over the past few decades. In his latest piece, GBH News Senior Investigative Reporter Phillip Martin spoke to several such individuals to gain insight into why they decided to move. He joined Jim Braude along with George “Chip” Greenidge, Founder and Director of Greatest MINDS Boston, to discuss.

[@Ladybugseason]

As a Black woman that once lived in Atlanta and looking at Boston this is good information to know.

[@wakeupamericaandresist2413]

Nothing changes in the city I love and I left 32 years ago. Good luck to all Bostonians, I guess change is real slow back in my birth town 😥

[@michaelwhyte1094]

I'm 53 and I promise you I'm gone when I get my pension and that's a guarantee. I could write a mini series about my experiences in Boston 10%great 90% unpleasant.

[@philiposbrooks3337]

Boston and the people in it are awful. I’m so sorry you had to put up with this city

[@jasonhill2348]

@@philiposbrooks3337shut up you idiot. The town isn’t awful. It’s actually nicer than any black town in the country

[@nuyorker9185]

Thanks to my son Miles for sharing this with me

[@jefff2times230]

Went to a concert at an Ampitheatre in ATL. No cops barking orders, no rushing out the venue, no show of force and no reminding you of your place.

[@jasonhill2348]

Atlanta has a higher crime rate than boston.

[@charlesfranklinhall]

My former coworkers when I was looking at houses TOLD me that the City of Boston was segregated purposely! I was like WTF! I told them I don’t care where at in the city I buy a house! As long as I can afford it and I like my neighbors!!

[@mikejones9906]

Where are you from?

[@Myynyc]

Left Boston to NYC best thing I ever did

[@ROOSEAZOR]

income inequality sucks

[@starelise1387]

I left Boston back in 2008 and never looked back. I left b/c the cosr of living, the crap weather. I grew up around all races and nationalities of black and brown people but once you leave Boston it does get white and HOSTILE AF

[@slickwilly6868]

I'm a black man from Arkansas and wamt to visit Boston this year. When does it start getting cold?

[@DorianBarcusRealEstate]

Define cold...as someone from here, I wear shorts until October usually. January-February is brutal.@@slickwilly6868

[@jasonhill2348]

Nice lie buddy. All of the violence in Boston is committed by blacks and I mean like 95 percent of it.

[@katrinagarrett9612]

Atlanta is known as the "Mecca" for black gay males. They are able to thrive, succeed, and live their lives openly without fear there.

[@katrinagarrett9612]

@Gaelle Future Nurse Absolutely.

[@straightblacksah5272]

Fear...of what?

[@jalexander1532]

@@straightblacksah5272 Poverty, being ostracized, being the only “one” at your job, being met with a blight of black owned night life

[@AK-hg1iq]

So much crime and violence.

[@SlicesUSA]

its also known as the mecca for the highiest rates of HIV & AIDS...

[@GenXican84]

I read old detective novels..Southie was poor whites back in the day..Has it changed?..Is Southie more melanated now?

[@Krayducklowbitch]

With Spanish folks and whites

[@ROOSEAZOR]

reperation is what i need show me the money show me the money

[@johnpaulkane6153]

Pipe Dream you were never a slave slaves back then would trade places in a heartbeat you should put a picture of General Grant who freed the slaves and the Irish immigrants who mostly made up union Army ....trying to leach off You're antsesters Ghost .

[@rd8370]

no

[@ravenssince962]

ATL

[@DorianBarcusRealEstate]

Hey, not sure if you heard, but black people are allowed at the St. Patty's day parade now. 😆

[@ashajeremiahqw8775]

I feel like black men in Boston likes white or non black women

[@philiposbrooks3337]

Look at all these happy people. Im with you, if you value your sanity and happiness, you need to leave that soul sucking city

[@jasonhill2348]

The grievance mongering never ends

[@xcel007]

👎🏾

[@jasonhill2348]

@@xcel007I wish every black resident would leave.

[@jasonhill2348]

@@xcel007what this woman said is fine in theory but don’t get upset at whites for feeling the same way about themselves. If a white person says I want to live in a white neighborhood or keep my neighborhood white and successful, then that person is labeled a racist and shunned by society. It’s absurd. Humans naturally prefer their own kind and there isn’t anything wrong with that. But whites are demonized for thinking the same thing.