[hurleydawn]

Hi, I am looking at moving to Bridgeport, coming from Brooklyn. One of the things I love best about my current neighborhood is it is full of newer immigrants (a mix of Spanish speaking and Asian). I like the cultural diversity but also the energy this gives to the neighborhood with food vendors on the corners, many languages in the streets, and diverse, inexpensive restaurants targeting the local community with foods from all over the world.

I realize Bridgeport is not Brooklyn, and don't necessarily want it to be. But I am interested in finding a community which seems to be attracting newer immigrants, for some of the reasons above. Any ideas on where to look in Bridgeport. I read one post that suggested there are great little Mexican restaurants where you feel like you are in Oaxaca. That is the type of thing I'm looking for. Is there a particular area to look for this? Thanks so much for all your help!

[Appias]

Hurleydawn,
Bridgeport is a struggling post industrial city with some pretty bad parts, so choose neighborhoods carefully. If you are coming from Brooklyn, the best neighborhood for you would probably be Black Rock. It still has the urban grit but with fewer of the personal safety issues.

[hurleydawn]

Hi Appias, thanks for your input. I see that Black Rock seems to be the most recommended area. We'll check it out. Anywhere else? Are you familiar with Newburgh? How would you compare Bridgeport and Newburgh in terms of the issues you are bringing up? Having lived in the South Bronx myself I was amazed to visit Newburgh and see how dire the situation seems there. I'm looking for something a bit more livable than that but not heading in the direction of gentrifying trendy area. Don't know if that makes sense, but thanks so much for any thoughts...

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by hurleydawn

Hi, I am looking at moving to Bridgeport, coming from Brooklyn.

I am interested in finding a community which seems to be attracting newer immigrants, for some of the reasons above. Any ideas on where to look in Bridgeport.

The "newest" immigrants will be found in the worst, most "unlivable" neighborhoods. I'm not suggesting that you cross Bridgeport off your list, it's just that the likelihood of finding what you're seeking is nil.

[dhurley]

Hmm...well, I don't know about Bridgeport and I understand that the city has a lot of issues, so it is quite possible that I won't be able to find what I am looking for in Bridgeport. Sadly. But I would argue your general idea that the newest immigrants tend to live in the most unlivable places. I don't find that to be true in general. And I would absolutely suggest that new immigrants tend to bring a lot of new energy into areas that are difficult, making the areas better from my perspective.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by dhurley

But I would argue your general idea that the newest immigrants tend to live in the most unlivable places. I don't find that to be true in general.

Your question was in regard to Bridgeport, correct? I don't recall any "general" anything.

[Lintu]

Yeah - I think the issue here is Bridgeport more so than neighborhoods with recent immigrants.

[dhurley]

Yeah, my question is on Bridgeport, and I am happy to get answers on Bridgeport. I just thought you were suggesting that in general I'm going to find that the newest immigrants live in the most unlivable places. But sticking to Bridgeport, is the problem the city itself then, as Lintu points out? Both of you wouldn't recommend living there period? Or is it that there isn't much of what I'm looking for, in that there isn't a vibrant newer immigrant community? Thanks. Appreciate your help in clarifying. Any other suggestions if you really don't think Bridgeport will work? New Haven?

[sun]

Are you specifically looking for new Spanish speaking immigrants?
In New Britain (near Hartford), the whole Broad Street area is filled with newer Polish immigrants. So many that you're greeted in Polish when walking into a store or bakery. There are many Polish deli's, restaurants, markets, clubs, churches, bars, factories, banks, credit unions etc...
Then there's also some predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhoods scattered around town with bodega's, small restaurants, bakery, social clubs, churches etc...
And there's also many other ethnic groups that owns businesses and restaurants too, particularly Asian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani and other European.
Even many of the older immigrants in New Britain are not fluent in English. So they read ethnic newspapers, listen to ethnic radio stations, watch foreign TV stations, work in an ethnic factories and eventually go to ethnic convalescent homes.
The Broad Street area is probably one of the most prosperous commercial areas in town, is extremely livable, and many Puerto Ricans and other ethnics live on the same or on neighboring streets.

[Appias]

hurleydawn,
I'm not familiar with Newburgh but Bridgeport is a city still trying to find its feet since the industry left. The North End and Black Rock are the only areas that are livable in my opinion. Even in those areas you will still deal with non violent crime (car break ins, stolen bikes, etc) but at least you don't have to worry about getting mugged or shot. People (including immigrants) generally leave Bridgeport as soon as they can afford to. If the North End or Black Rock don't work for you alternatives I would suggest are New Haven if you want to stay urban, Stratfield, Milford or Tunxis Hill area of Fairfield for densely populated suburbs.