Battle of the North American Chinese Communities: San Gabriel Valley vs. Greater Vancouver (living, best)
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Two Chinese communities that are the largest and best in their respective nations! Who will win? Rate them on everything, but especially:
1. Food! (of course!)
2. Most culturally akin to China
3. Larger Chinese population/density of Chinese population
4. Schools
5. Safety
6. Cost of living/Taxes
Despite being a native SoCal-born Chinese, I'll have to give the thumbs up to Vancouver. If I'm not mistaken, most areas of Greater Vancouver have a larger percentage of Chinese than even the San Gabriel Valley. Vancouver as a city is also the cleanest big city I have been to, period--even the Chinese/Asian malls in Richmond are spanking clean. Heavily Chinese communities in Vancouver and Canada, in general, just seem much more upscale and well-maintained than those in the San Gabriel Valley, which seem ghetto by comparison (with the exception of Arcadia and San Marino).
Well, many Chinese in LA (parts of San Gabriel Valley such as Rosemead, Alhambra, El Monte) live alongside Hispanics.
That in itself is a different experience than in Vancouver, where many Chinese live alongside Whites. I know there are "Chinese neighborhoods" there, but Whites live in close enough proximity.
I think Chinese in LA are more generally assimilated than Vancouver where there are tons of "new" immigrants from China (although there are lotsa 2nd/ 3rd gen Chinese Canadians too).
You are narrowing it down to "Chinese". The overall "Asian experience" has wider scope in LA. There are Thais, Cambodians, Laotians, Hawaiians, overall more diversity of socio-economic Asian groups, in LA.
In California, the Bay Area is overall more "Chinese" than LA County. Greater Vancouver yes, the Chinese demographic has the largest presence in any N. American metro.
Last edited by krosser100; 02-16-2019 at 12:04 AM..
Chinese Floridian here...strongly considering both cities for potential relocation when my kids get a little older. Visited both numerous times and have lots of family in each. From my perception, this goes to Vancouver. It's the percentage and influence that wins out for me. LA is quite even in Chinese amenities overall but not compared to the size of the region as a whole. Factors 4-6 seem fairly even as well for an outside observer...at least not significantly in favor of one side or the other. (assuming we are comparing nice areas/schools and not the cumulative metro region as a whole)
Ironically the largest Chinese community in North America is NYC and Toronto has more total Chinese than Vancouver.
That said if you’re looking for pure Cantonese culture and food, Vancouver can’t be beat. The segregate themselves there a lot more than LA so the purity of the culture is intact. Vancouver in general is a very segregated city but still a lot of fun.
Ironically the largest Chinese community in North America is NYC and Toronto has more total Chinese than Vancouver.
That said if you’re looking for pure Cantonese culture and food, Vancouver can’t be beat. The segregate themselves there a lot more than LA so the purity of the culture is intact. Vancouver in general is a very segregated city but still a lot of fun.
But could the San Gabriel Valley edge out Vancouver in Taiwanese food? While most Vancouver Chinese are Cantonese, most SoCal Chinese are from Taiwan.
But could the San Gabriel Valley edge out Vancouver in Taiwanese food? While most Vancouver Chinese are Cantonese, most SoCal Chinese are from Taiwan.
No. There is certainly a larger presence of Taiwanese and I believe the early years of the boom period were attributed to a Taiwanese land prospector. But no, the majority are not from Taiwan lol.
Some estimates I have seen put the Taiwanese population at close to 100k, and the overall Chinese population nearing 600k. So while it's the largest Taiwanese population in the US, it is certainly not "most" from Taiwan.
That said, yes...I'd give the edge to SGV for Taiwanese food.
No. There is certainly a larger presence of Taiwanese and I believe the early years of the boom period were attributed to a Taiwanese land prospector. But no, the majority are not from Taiwan lol.
Some estimates I have seen put the Taiwanese population at close to 100k, and the overall Chinese population nearing 600k. So while it's the largest Taiwanese population in the US, it is certainly not "most" from Taiwan.
That said, yes...I'd give the edge to SGV for Taiwanese food.
The above Census figures are likely because most Taiwanese Americans report themselves as Chinese on the Census, not really bothering with the subcategory of Taiwanese.
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