When you typically think of Asian Americans settling down, you probably think the West Coast (California, Washington State) , the Northeast, or possibly Chicago. Well, demographic trends show that more and more Asian Americans are moving away from the traditional hubs, as reported in USA Today’s article, “In a twist, USA’s Asians are heading to the Mountain West“:
“In a surprising twist to historical settlement patterns, growing numbers of Asian Americans are beginning to bail from the places that have long been their main gateways to the West: California and Washington. Wearied by the same crushing home prices, poor schools, jammed freeways and persistent crime that have sent millions of other Californians packing, Asian Americans are moving to spots in the West they hope will produce better lifestyles — namely Las Vegas and Phoenix. The Asian migration is fueling ethnic diversity in places that have been overwhelmingly white. Since 1990, Nevada has had the most rapid growth of any state in the number of Asians and Pacific Islanders. The number jumped 174% in the 1990s and 67% so far this decade to about 211,000, according to 2007 Census Bureau estimates. Asians now make up about 8.2% of Nevada’s 2.6 million people — a higher percentage than the national share of 5.4%. Arizona also is registering significant growth among Asians, a trend fueled largely by an exodus from California and Washington.”
The article goes on to describe a lot of growth in the areas of Asian focused grocery stores, restaurants and even banks cantered towards Asian Americans. Washington state’s cost of living seems pretty cheap to me compared to San Francisco Bay Area, so I can only imagine how inexpensive housing is in Nevada and Arizona – especially given the number of foreclosures going on in those overbuilt cities during the housing boom.
The article also notes that there is going to be a new national “glossy” Asian American magazine launched in Las Vegas, titled AsianAm , which will sell for $4.50 and aim for an initial circulation of 700,000. 700,000 sounds HUGE… If you know the history of Asian American magazines (such as A Magazine, TransPacific, etc.), none have ever been able to survive long-term. Maybe AsianAm will?
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3 Comments to “Asian Americans Moving to the Mountain West – Las Vegas & Phoenix”
Lawrence wrote:
Interesting that California is losing Asian Americans. I was thinking about relocating to someplace with a larger Asian American community like California…
What about the Asian population in places like Vancouver, BC or Hawaii? Both these areas have significant numbers of Asian people, I believe. Or are expensive housing prices driving people away just like in California?
Is there a website with information about ethnic demographic background and housing costs for various metropolitian areas?
Posted on 08-Jul-08 at 6:42 pm | Permalink
John wrote:
Hawaii is super-expensive – everything has to be imported onto those islands… and housing is also super-expensive.
As for Vancouver – I don't know. Spent a few hours in Vancouver last July on my way to Beijing. Very nice city!
On Wikipedia, all the major cities site the demographics of the city…
Posted on 08-Jul-08 at 7:09 pm | Permalink
ancient one wrote:
Despite high prices, Asians are still drawn to certain places in California, for work and even for cultural reasons. “Close to Ranch 99″ is a common advertisement line in the houses for sale in my Silicon Valley neighborhood, which go pretty quick when they are on sale despite the fact that schools are not the best (all the kids on my street go to private schools).
Las Vegas seems to have an Asian infrastructure of stores and restaurants built up, and with job growth and cheaper cost of living it isn't surprising that Asians Americans and Asians would move there. That infrastructure can be important – I remember talking to one Asian American who had a choice between living in the expensive Bay Area and the cheaper central Valley. He said that while the Central Valley was cheaper, getting Asian groceries and other amenities there was much more expensive, so he felt that he may as well move to the Bay Area.
My family and I really liked Vancouver when we vacationed there. Some really great food there out in Richmond. You can also get tropical fruit that you can't easily get in the Bay Area, like atis. Didn't seem that cheap, though, and the weather can be really grim. Hawaii is also really expensive, and the job prospects outside of Tourism aren't that great. That's why a lot of people end up moving from Hawaii.
Posted on 09-Jul-08 at 11:12 pm | Permalink
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