LATINA/OS MIGRATING TO UPSTATE NY
BY STUDENT
The Latinx population have migrated all throughout the U.S., mainly to major cities such as New York City. Many Latino’s leave their homelands in search of a better life, where they can have access to jobs for economic security. We saw this when considering the history of Puerto Ricans and Mexicans settling to NYC and Los Angeles. We still see it occurring today with Central Americans migrating to the U.S. to escape poverty and violence in their home countries. Yet things aren’t the same as when Latino’s first started migrating into these cities. Rent has skyrocketed in these cities making it hard to find a place to live. New York City has undergone through huge gentrification, affecting rent prices in every borough. So, where are Latinx migrating to now and why are they choosing these new areas for settlement?
Latinx families are now migrating to the north into more suburban areas. “The region’s 2010 Hispanic population is 35,103 or 77.49 percent more than the 19,777 in 2000,” (Crowe 2011). This is an immense increase, showing us the migration of Latinos to upper NY throughout the years. In Albany county, specifically we see a 64.30% increase from the year 2000 to 2010 (Crowe 2011). As a UAlbany student I wanted to investigate the growth of latinx’s in the Albany area. When I first arrived to Albany, I didn’t think that I would find many Lantix locals. Nor did I think I’d find Mexican restaurants or at least one that serves authentic Mexican food. To my surprise I found Oaxaquena Triqui an authentic Mexican restaurant with owners from Oaxaqua, Mexico. Like them many other Latinx families migrated to Albany for the high demand of workers. They also saw the lack of Latinx based own business and thought it would be a great investment to open their own restaurant. Not only are Latino’s adding to our economy but they are changing politics in regions like these. “Some commentators have pointed out that racial homogeneity may reinforce residents sense of community, leading to higher rates of participation in local organizations and politics,” (Correa 2006, 185).
According to Kendall, “Bose (2006) argues that in New York State, in cities such as Albany and Rochester, managerial and government jobs are currently attracting educated and highly skilled Latinos such as Cubans, Central, and South Americans.” It makes sense that one would migrate to a place where there are higher employment opportunities. Trying to look for work in cities like NYC can be tough due to its high population which creates a lot of competition. Another factor to this migration would also be the living cost affordability. One can rent a 3-bedroom apartment in Downtown Albany for $1,200 while in the city you will be paying the lowest $2,500 depending on the borough and neighborhood. Suburban areas are becoming a better option for many Latinx populations in search for affordable housing and job opportunities.
Work Cited
Correa, Michael J. The New Suburban History: Reshaping the American Dream. University of Chicago Pess, 2006.
Crowe, Kenneth C. “Hispanic Growth Rate Here Outpaces Nation.” Times Union, 25 March 2011,
https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Hispanic-growth-rate-here-outpaces-nation-1297855.p
Hp. Accessed 17 Nov. 2019.
Kendall, Richard. “Latino Migration within New York State: Motivations and Settlement Experiences.” NYLARNet, Summer 2009. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lina_Rincon3/publication/239574277_Latino_Migration_within_New_York_State_Motivations_and_Settlement_Experiences/links/574db8a508ae8bc5d15bf423.pdf
The Latinx population have migrated all throughout the U.S., mainly to major cities such as New York City. Many Latino’s leave their homelands in search of a better life, where they can have access to jobs for economic security. We saw this when considering the history of Puerto Ricans and Mexicans settling to NYC and Los Angeles. We still see it occurring today with Central Americans migrating to the U.S. to escape poverty and violence in their home countries. Yet things aren’t the same as when Latino’s first started migrating into these cities. Rent has skyrocketed in these cities making it hard to find a place to live. New York City has undergone through huge gentrification, affecting rent prices in every borough. So, where are Latinx migrating to now and why are they choosing these new areas for settlement?
Latinx families are now migrating to the north into more suburban areas. “The region’s 2010 Hispanic population is 35,103 or 77.49 percent more than the 19,777 in 2000,” (Crowe 2011). This is an immense increase, showing us the migration of Latinos to upper NY throughout the years. In Albany county, specifically we see a 64.30% increase from the year 2000 to 2010 (Crowe 2011). As a UAlbany student I wanted to investigate the growth of latinx’s in the Albany area. When I first arrived to Albany, I didn’t think that I would find many Lantix locals. Nor did I think I’d find Mexican restaurants or at least one that serves authentic Mexican food. To my surprise I found Oaxaquena Triqui an authentic Mexican restaurant with owners from Oaxaqua, Mexico. Like them many other Latinx families migrated to Albany for the high demand of workers. They also saw the lack of Latinx based own business and thought it would be a great investment to open their own restaurant. Not only are Latino’s adding to our economy but they are changing politics in regions like these. “Some commentators have pointed out that racial homogeneity may reinforce residents sense of community, leading to higher rates of participation in local organizations and politics,” (Correa 2006, 185).
According to Kendall, “Bose (2006) argues that in New York State, in cities such as Albany and Rochester, managerial and government jobs are currently attracting educated and highly skilled Latinos such as Cubans, Central, and South Americans.” It makes sense that one would migrate to a place where there are higher employment opportunities. Trying to look for work in cities like NYC can be tough due to its high population which creates a lot of competition. Another factor to this migration would also be the living cost affordability. One can rent a 3-bedroom apartment in Downtown Albany for $1,200 while in the city you will be paying the lowest $2,500 depending on the borough and neighborhood. Suburban areas are becoming a better option for many Latinx populations in search for affordable housing and job opportunities.
Work Cited
Correa, Michael J. The New Suburban History: Reshaping the American Dream. University of Chicago Pess, 2006.
Crowe, Kenneth C. “Hispanic Growth Rate Here Outpaces Nation.” Times Union, 25 March 2011,
https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Hispanic-growth-rate-here-outpaces-nation-1297855.p
Hp. Accessed 17 Nov. 2019.
Kendall, Richard. “Latino Migration within New York State: Motivations and Settlement Experiences.” NYLARNet, Summer 2009. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lina_Rincon3/publication/239574277_Latino_Migration_within_New_York_State_Motivations_and_Settlement_Experiences/links/574db8a508ae8bc5d15bf423.pdf
This post was very eye opening to read because it gives us personal insight to the community we are all living in within these (typically) four years of college. I do agree that Albany may be an easier place to settle because there is a lot less hassle than in the city. It also is a home to a lot of opportunities given the fact that it is the capital and there are a lot of colleges/universities in the area. A lot of UAlbany students decide to stay in Albany after college due to the affordable cost of living so it makes sense that that may be the same reason for immigrants. I may have to try out Oaxaquena Triqui this weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeing from the Bronx, Ive seen gentrification happening first hand in New York City. Latinx families who we once neighbored were forced to live elsewhere because rent is always increasing crazy amounts that no one but the middle and upper class can afford. I love that you included statistics in your post because it gives us a better understanding of the migration of Latinx people further up north. Living in Albany for about 4 years now, I personally have seen more and more Latinx families slowly coming into the Albany area.
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ReplyDeleteI never thought of the demographics of Albany. But coming to UAlbany for me was eye opening to me because, coming from the suburbs the Latinx population is just starting to grow. I think it would be interesting to see how the Latinx population will continue to grow here in Albany and how the cultures will affect the city and other surrounding towns. Schools may become more diverse and as you said, more businesses will open up catering to the Latinx culture. I will have to try Oaxaquena Triqui. It will also be interesting to see how the majority and law enforcement reacts to the migration of Latinx people outside the city. In the past there has been a shortage of employment opportunities, so a growth of employment here in Albany can really bring about some great opportunities and upward mobility. With the amount of colleges in the area many Latinx students may decide to stay in the area and start a future generation here in a smaller city in the suburbs. I think that Albany has a lot of potential to diversify.
Wow. I didn't even know that there were authentic Mexican restaurants located in Albany. I will definitely have to give that spot a try. I did however, notice the rising number of the Latinx population in the area. Being from NYC, specifically Brooklyn, I can attest to the migration of Latinx and Afro-Caribbeans from their home countries to the US for better jobs, living conditions, and to provide a better opportunity for their families. A lot of these same people are given the jobs no one else wants. Yet they are also the ones not given a fair chance at getting a proper education or access to what some millenials are calling "modern housing". The luxurious condos and apartments that caucasians are given priority to based on the ideal standard of who landlords and policymakers want living in these spaces. Albany, however, despite its faults has a lot of potential. My question is: are these communities ready to fully accept Latinx and Afro-caribbeans as they are without the threat of cultural assimilation?
ReplyDeleteI love your blogpost and I could truly relate to it. I've been so scared to try any of the "Mexican restaurants" I see because I feel they won't be authentic. Being in Albany has definitely been an experience, living in the city, I'm used to seeing all types of people and all types of businesses and restaurants but here it is so limited.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blogpost I liked how you mentioned Puerto Rican’s and Mexicans settling in New York City and Los Angeles since we discussed these places on class and their impact on Latinos. The population of Hispanics in suburban areas has increased 77.49 percent and the numbers will just keep increasing in the upcoming years. I also liked how you did your research on Albany that in class we learned it’s only 10% latinx but after reading your post I realized there has actually been an increase in 64.40 percent. At first, it was also hard for me to find an authentic place to eat my native food and found at the time “Casa Dominicana” which was a surprise but later I found out the cooks and owner were actually Mexicans which I found interesting.
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