Largest/most active Chinatown (Bos v. Philly Chi)?

[baileyvpotter]

The population within SF's Chinatown (0.168 square miles) is almost 11,000 and that doesn't include
other districts/areas.

Chinatown | The Story of Chinatown

[tmac9wr]

Originally Posted by baileyvpotter

The population within SF's Chinatown (0.168 square miles) is almost 11,000 and that doesn't include
other districts/areas.

Chinatown | The Story of Chinatown

This has nothing to do with San Francisco's Chinatown and it's already been explained why.

Originally Posted by munchitup

I'd say NYC, SF and Boston don't really follow this model though as they are pretty much already built-out.

Yea Boston's Chinatown development is relatively maxed out when considering open lots...however the entire area is being strongly redeveloped due to its location tucked in next to the financial district, theater district and downtown crossing. It's a very desirable location and as a result, the area is becoming filled with luxury condos. Since they're being priced-out, a new Chinatown is developing in Quincy. At this point, Quincy has about 100,000 people, with 25% of the population being Asian.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by munchitup

Sounds like many cities' Chinatowns are growing districts, as evidenced by your comment and Summers' comment on Philly's Chinatown. Los Angeles' is also growing and improving with a lot of new projects. Perhaps that is because Chinatowns are often located in less desirable but centrally-located parts of town - often around empty lots / demolished buildings and industrial areas. With all that open land to develop and the proximity to improving cores it makes sense that they would all be growing.

I'd say NYC, SF and Boston don't really follow this model though as they are pretty much already built-out.

I think in general, Asian populations and immigration is growing in large cities. I know that in Chicago, the only group to actually gain population were Asians at the 2010 census versus the 2000 census. The funny thing is that the estimate in Chicago between 2010 and 2012 for the Asian population has increased by 15,000. It's actually very noticeable in some areas. I have a Chinese friend who lives 3 blocks north of me and when I mentioned this to him he just said "YES! So many more Asians around me now than when I first moved here 4 years ago." When I moved into my building 5 years ago downtown, there were hardly any Asians in my building (it's a 30 story high rise) and 5+ years later today there are many Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The train stop I use to get to work every morning - same thing 5+ years ago versus today. The 2012 estimate in the matter of 2 years has increased the Asian population in Chicago by a half percent, which is nice.

So yeah, it's growing, but I think it's growing in most large cities which is great

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by f1000

Haven't been to Philadelphia before, but Boston is more active & dense than Chicago's.

Chicago's is not bad too, but is a little less active.

Seattle's is quite pathetic considering its decent-sized Asian population, but there are clusters of Asian retail districts in other parts of its metro.

Sorry, but no way! Chicagos Chinatown is much more active than Boston's. Chicagos is far larger too.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by jpdivola

Yeah, I would think NYC's and SF's Chinatowns are clearly above these 3. I was thinking about also including Seattle's Chinatown. But, my sense was that it wasn't as big as these 3.

As a Seattle resident I have to say we dont have a "real" chinatown. Our international district isn't that great BUT the thing we Seattle is the asian culture has been spread way across the area. Even in the outlying suburbs you will see 2-3 asian restaurants on most blocks and lots of asian grocery and small shops all throughout the area.